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Page updated: 06 July 2009
DANFS
Entry -
Decommissioning
Naval Vessel Registry
information for USS
SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD-37)
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Samuel Gompers ID Card from 1982 |
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Photos from 1968-1969 from Dave Crago Thumbnails click to enlarge |
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USS Samuel Gompers Being Built In 1964 |
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These Photos were found in an album when cleaning out the ship after Decom. They were rescued by Chris Evans before they could be lost to history. Thanks Chris! To see the photos click this link for non-members and this link for members. (non-members will get an error message)
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USS Samuel Gompers |
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Submitted by MRC Joe Moore (ret) From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships Volume VI (1976) Samuel
Gompers, born in London on 27 January 1850, was apprenticed to a cigar
maker at an early age. He emigrated to New York in 1863 and,
the following year, became interested in the labor movement.
He helped organize Cigar maker's International Union. As
president, he made it into a model for other unions. In 1881,
he helped establish the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions
which, five years later, was reorganized as the American Federation of
Labor. Gompers was selected as the organization's first
president and held that post for more than forty years. He
was a fearless fighter for humanitarian rights. He, more than
any other person, deserves credit for winning labor a place of respect
and power in the nation's economic and social life. (AD-37: d. 20,260: l. 643'; b. 85'; d. 22'6"; s. 20+ k.; cpl. 1,056; a. 1 5"; cl Samuel Gompers) Samuel Gompers (AD-37) was laid down on 9 July 1964 by the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton WA; launched on 14 May 1966; sponsored by Mrs. Joseph Holmes, and commissioned on 1 July 1967, Capt. Harry Risch, Jr., in command.
Flag is raised aboard Gompers at commissioning
"Man the Ship" order is given After her commissioning, Samuel Gompers spent the next several months in initial outfitting, with acceptance trials taking place from 28 August to 1 September. On 3 October, she got underway for her designated home port, San Diego. The next month, the destroyer tender underwent various inspections as she was to be deployed to the western Pacific without the benefit of a prior shakedown cruise. This necessitated that a high degree of readiness be attained in a short period of time. All inspections showed that the ship was ready for sea, and she departed San Diego on 10 November for Pearl Harbor. Following a weapons transfer there, from Prairie (AD-15), Samuel Gompers stood out of Pearl Harbor on 20 November bound for Yukosuka. Upon arriving there on 30 November 1967, she began providing fleet repair support to the operating forces of the Pacific Fleet. In the first month of availability, her repair department accomplished job orders for 54 different ships and other activities.
Samuel Gompers departed Yukosuka for Sasebo on 13 January 1968. Her "in port" period there was originally scheduled on the 25th. However, the capture of Pueblo (AGER-2) by North Korea brought increased activity by the Pacific Fleet in the Sea of Japan. The destroyer tender's services were required to maintain the destroyer screen for the five aircraft carriers then alternating port visits to Sasebo. Seventy-one ships were serviced there before the AD departed.
On 18 March, Samuel Gompers sailed to Kaohsiung Taiwan, for three weeks. She anchored in mid-stream and serviced 17 ships before departing for Hong Kong B.C.C.; Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, and San Diego. Her first deployment ended on 8 May when she arrived at her home port. One month later, she moved to Bremerton for a period of yard availability. She embarked over 200 dependents to make the voyage up the west coast. On 27 July, Samuel Gompers stood out of Bremerton, with the dependents aboard, and returned to San Diego. From 30 July to 15 November, she serviced ships there. On the 15th, the tender departed San Diego, with Task Unit (TU) 15.8.2, bound for Subic Bay, via Pearl Harbor, and her second WestPac deployment. From 8 December 1968 to 13 May 1969, she performed fleet repair services in Subic Bay. The period was broken by one five-day visit to Hong Kong. On 13 May, the AD sailed to Yukosuka for a short period of rest and recreation, from whence she sailed to the west coast, arriving on 4 June. Samuel Gompers operated in the San Diego area until 13 March 1970 when she again deployed to the western Pacific. Subic Bay was her base of operations for servicing fleet units until returning to San Diego on 13 September 1970. She remained there until 2 November 1971 when she steamed west on another deployment. After making port calls at Pearl Harbor and Yukosuka, she moored at Subic Bay on 24 November. The tender operated out of that port until 12 July 1972 when she sailed for Pearl Harbor and San Diego. During the seven month deployment period, Samuel Gompers made two trips to Danang, South Vietnam from 9 to 16 April, and from 22 to 30 April. When she reached her home port on 31 July, she remained there to provide repair services to fleet units until mid-July 1973. At this time, she moved up the coast to Portland OR, and operated there until returning to San Diego in early December.
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Stu Bloom FTG1 |
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Neat site! One item of correction to the history section. In the 1970 cruise, Samuel Gompers provided repair service first out of Subic Bay, as the item states, but then moved to Yukosuka. I remember this clearly because I went TAD with a small group from Gompers to the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) to complete some repair work. We left from Subic. We were on the Bonnie Dick for about two weeks, then flew back to Subic only to find that the Gompers had departed several days earlier for Yukosuka, so we had to trek up to Clark AFB and catch a military transport flight to Japan. She was in Yukosuka at least a month, as I recall, and left for home from Yukosuka. Stu Bloom FTG1 Samuel Gompers 1970-71 |
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On 19 July 2003 |
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before being sunk this plaque was placed aboard our ship The plaque
Mounted in the Amidships Passageway 3-80-0-L, directly above the DC Central hatch. The plaque was placed by two shipmates that wish to remain anonymous. I think we can all say a collective thank you to them both. ********************************************** U.S.S. SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD-37)
FROM ALL HER
CREW THAT KNEW HER BEST The Amidships Passageway (3-80-0-L) was probably the only space on the ship that every crewmember E1-E9, W1-W4 and O1-O6 passed through.
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Historical tid-bits and memories submitted by members: |
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| Gary Long | ||
| I was at the Submarine Development
Group, when I decided to retire. Well Admiral Bud Kauderer called and asked me to consider helping out a fellow submariner. Seems that Bob O'Malia was having a real tough time finding an Engineer Officer, and was getting ready for a tough overhaul, and all the concomitant inspections, and tests. Apparently John Jones had a problem with the Propulsion Examining Board Inspection the last time around. At first I said "no" but was asked to talk to him at least. The Gompers was at the Naval Station and I did talk to him. What a hell of a good guy, and he asked me to take the job, and I agreed only through his tour. The one stipulation that I made was I had to run the department my way. He agreed. Well I extended my tour at DevGrp, for
a month, and went to Hawaii, for an Arrived at night and the XO, took me
to dinner, and we discussed what was I worked with Bob for many months, and
he agreed to let me retire at the end I know I tried his patience more than
once. When they assigned women to the Well the Engineers came through with
the highest score in the fleet for a That was the Gompers I knew. Gary Long PS, The engineers also won the red Engineering "E" as well. They were a hell of a bunch, and should be recognized for everything they did.
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| Theresa Cirullo (Jarratt) | ||
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I remember the first time I
saw the ship. I had arrived in San Diego and took a taxi on base and was
told that the ship was next to the dry dock. I didn’t realize
how large the ship was until I looked down the pier and there she was at
the end. As I walked down that pier with at least 5-6 ships parked
abreast I kept thinking that huge ship can’t be the one I’m assigned
to. It got bigger too upon approach. Then climbing the four
stories (that seemed like ten stories) to the gang way, I had to
remember to salute the flag it was so overwhelming. After checking
in I was escorted to berthing, which felt like this huge whale
swallowing me whole! For a small town girl it was
rather daunting this huge ship with so many compartments I was sure to
get lost, and I did get lost until I learned my way around.
Assigned to deck department working on flight deck my world chanced
overnight. There are so many things and people that I recall, it
seems like another world and I miss it now that we are no longer aboard.
It was an adventure, something that people find hard to believe, the
people, the lifestyle, and the learning curve. One of my best friends was JJ
and Coloma, we had a great time back then and I miss everyone – fond
memories of days gone by.
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| Katie Story | ||
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Keith Garcia |
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Here is what I remember for 81 to 84 aboard the Gompers. On my first QD watch a sailor for the ship next to us in San Diego died from freon. Lunch at the club. Boy did that make for a long after noon. The day after the baby was born. I was on the boat deck just above the Officer QD, and listing to the admiral going off on Capt Bailey and the Doc. The first time I went to the PI. That all I have to say about that if you know what I mean. I was the bow hook when Capt Bailey caught the 120 lb tuna. Not Capt Elliot. It sure made for a great day. I must of been lucky because I was also the bow hook for the Capt gig for the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. I remember watching the ship go out to sea during the Storm at Xmas. I had to stay with the boat and sleep in them until the ship came back. Watch LT Stokes fly up in the air braking his leg after he told us not to stand on the traveling Crane cable. The funnies thing I seen was when BM2 Powless was driving a fire truck down the pier in Diego Garcia he just stole to make ship movement. The best thing that ever happen on the Gompers to me was my last nigh onboard. It was New Year eve 84. In stead of going out in town I Stood the mid watch with the most beautiful lady I have every met. She was in R div standing roving watch. Boy I wish I could remember her name.
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Dave Crago |
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I
don't
remember the
date,
but I do know it was the first WestPac cruise for the Gompers, that a
young sailor ended his life by jumping from the bow, into a garbage
scow that was tied-up on the same pier, in Yukosuska
Japan. It was around Christmas or New
Years, because their was snow on the decks the morning they found
him.
Dave Crago S-6 Division 1967-1969
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Ed Carlson, DMSN: |
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I wonder why no has mentioned the stowaway in the photo lab on our first cruise from Bremerton to San Diego. This was the cruise with dependants going to our home port. The guys in the photo lab had a non dependant female in their area, exciting times. Ed Carlson, DMSN Plank Owner
Note: from email received on 9-12-06
Under Tidbits a DMSN Carlson mentions the stowaway in the Photo Lab. The repercussions from that left the 2nd class busted to 3rd class and the two PHAN were busted to AA and put in the deck division. Now I was part of R3 division which the photo lab fell under and I was put down in the photo lab to assist and keep the place clean. This started my career in Photography. I took the E-4 test and passed and left the ship in 1971 and E-5. Luck of the draw. Left the Navy in 1977 an E-6 and went to work for a major defense contractor as their corporate photographer for 26 yrs and retired in 2002 Rishard Gorczewski
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SA Mike Andrews (Deck Div. / S-7? –the DS/DP shop): |
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I checked onboard at the tail end of the 83’ cruise in Pearl Harbor. I never found another command that made every person aboard feel like they were part of large (sometimes rowdy) family. The kind of tight knit bonds that ship had really started from the top with Captain Elliott, and were reflected all the way down through the chain of command to the lowest Seaman or Engineman. It was the best time I had while in the Navy. The next deployment after the 83 West-Pac had several very special times, some were only experienced by a few of the crew. One incident was when we were in the Indian Ocean on our way to sit off the coast of Oman for an extended at-sea repair availability. I worked the swing shift in the DP/DS shop, 3 to 11, and had a habit of sneaking out onto the weather decks and sitting on the in-port bumpers to watch the sea and sky at night. It was somewhere around 2 or 3 in the morning when the ship was passing through an upwelling of nutrient rich water. This had the effect of exciting the plankton and the sea was glowing all around us for as far as I could see. During this time the ship also picked up a pod of dolphin. So as the ship moved through the water, the dolphin played in the ships wake. It was truly breathtaking watching the dolphin move through the water leaving a bright glowing trail and brilliant splash as they broke the surface, a dark shadow above the water as they sailed through the air and another brilliant shower of spray as they returned to the sea. This was prior to the 85 West-Pac and took place while I was still in Deck Div. Every shop had its Casanova, the guy who got away with acts that would have resulted in at least a slap in the face, if not more. Our person was a sailor whose last name was Thurmon, his nickname was “Thumper”. We were working at the normal task for our division, chipping and painting. So as I am working I look up and watch in amazement as a female member of our shop walks by with a perfect haze grey handprint on her bottom. A few minutes later, another female crewman, and another hand print. Turns out that Thurmon was dipping his hand in the paint and waiting for the “right” persons to come by and give a gentle pat in greeting. They were not aware that it was of a permanent impression. Now, while this might have been done in fun and jest, the 1st class in charge of our shop was not amused. The females were directed to change IMMEDIATELY, and Thurmon got to buy them new dungarees on the spot. Still, I find it amazing what some people could get away with. I’m sure that no one onboard can forget the “oopsie” as we were preparing to leave the coast of Oman to finally head home during the 85? West-Pac. Our relief had arrived on station a day or two before and we were finally getting underway to head back to the states after over 90 days without a liberty port. An engineman recruit had been given the duty of watching the oil level on the bearings of the main shaft. He fell asleep at his post and no one was aware that the oil for the bearings was leaking. Once the bearings seized though, everyone knew it. We got to spend another wonderful two weeks off the coast while repairs were made. Never knew someone could make themselves that scarce on such a (relatively) small ship. ;-p But after all that time at sea, the four days in Hong Kong were awesome! I will add others as I get the time, hope you enjoy remembering these. Mike Andrews, DSSN (nobody is perfect, especially when they were that wet behind the ears)
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Michael Meadows |
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I am trying to put together a history of the USS Gompers. At our recent reunion, I volunteered to be the ship's historian, but I need your help. Official records of the ship's service don't go past the '70s and I want to document the history or the ship from keel laying to Decom. Any facts, sea tales, memorable moments of deployments, port visits on deployments, changes of command, etc. are needed. You, we, are the history of the ship. She wasn't just a hunk of steel that floated, but with people on board for her entire life, she was a living thing, a community of sorts. Post inputs here on the website or e-mail me directly. I'll answer all who contact me and thanks in advance for your help.
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Kevin McGarry |
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I reported aboard the Gompers on Sept 7th 1979. It was night time, so I really didn't get to see the ship then. I remember walking up a long brow into a hole in the side of what appeared to be the biggest spaceship in the universe. I was scared to say the least. The next morning I was taken for a tour of the ship and remembered thinking "If I was left alone I'll die in here before I find my way out!" I spent the next four years exploring that ship and felt as if I was home every time I returned to her from a weekend away. I will miss her when she's gone and I will always remember the life and times of the Sammy G! To all my shipmates out there, I want to say thanks. Thanks for making this website work and for all the memories you've shared and thanks for the great four years aboard the Gompers. My biggest regret in life is that I didn't stay in the Navy. Fair winds and following seas to all who served or are now serving in the greatest Navy on earth.
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Terry Fry |
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I am a plank owner of the Sammy G. I was the 101 person to report aboard her in Bremerton. When I got there in March of 1968 (so long ago) the sand crabs were still working on her. On the first cruise, we left San Diego in November 1968 in the company of the USS Pueblo. There was an accident on board the Pueblo, a Radioman had fallen off the mast, so they high wired him to the Gompers for surgery. We then sailed to Honolulu. From there to Yukosuka Japan for 3 weeks. We were then supposed to go to Guam, but the captain, (then Harry Risch) ordered the Gompers to go to Sasebo Japan for a few days. After we got to Sasebo the Pueblo was captured and CincPacFlt ordered all ships to stay where they were until further orders. I know because I was a Radioman and I received the message. We were in Sasebo from Jan through Mar 1969 (I think). We left Sasebo and went to Kaoshung. I think we were there for 3-4 weeks and then to Hong Kong for 4 days. Left Hong Kong and went to the P.I. for 24 hours and back to San Diego. What a cruise!!
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Phillip Hahn (MR-2) |
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Let's see - what do I remember most about my time on board?? Well, first off, I met my wife there - we are expecting our first baby in June after 2 years of marriage. I also remember the time we ran aground about 500 ft from our pier coming in from exercises, the paint locker fire, the 8.1 earthquake we went through in Guam, and we missed the LA earthquake by about 2 days because we were fixing our rudders from running aground!! Those are some memories I'll never forget!!
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Jeffrey Thomas |
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I was on board during the 83 Diego storm, I was not stuck on shore, I had duty and was onboard. We must not forget the baby being born onboard during our westpac by one of our crew members, the humanitarian mission to Fiji, and lets not forget the death of one of our shipmate. We had a birth and death onboard a U. S. Navy ship. We onboard during that time could never forget Capt Bailey.
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John Shriver |
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The picture that is identified as "some sort of celebrities onboard" were in fact 12 Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders who had come to Diego Garcia to do a USO show. The base indicated they didn't have any place to house the ladies. Our "crack" Supply Officer, Cdr. John Kizer, raised his hand and volunteered the extra staterooms on the ship. They spent 4-5 days onboard.
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Patrick Long |
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On 21 December
1986 I reported aboard for duty. Some people are fond of saying tenders
never went to sea much. I know better - the schedule I kept shows how
much we were in and out of port:
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MR2
Narcisa Eral (Formerly Montejo, now Barbo) - West-Pac
1990, |
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Two
deaths prior to homecoming for Sammy G to Alameda CA. In
(Scans by Patrick Long from 1990 West-Pac Cruise Book)
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Ken Kepf: |
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I can vividly remember the
baby being born on ship as well as the humanitarian efforts when at
Fiji. This was my first WesPac. We left San Diego
arrived in Pearl for a couple days where a group of shipmates and I had
a great time. I went snorkeling in Hamama (sp?) Bay with a
shipmate I cannot recall his name. We fed the fish with bread and it
was a lot of neat fun but the bus ride was very long. I remember that
while in Pearl and although the details have faded somewhat a group of
us had difficulty making it back to the ship on time and one shipmate
got lost but we found him going the other way in a cab or bus. It was
one of those situations where the "natives" were giving us a hard time
in jest. But we made it back luckily on time had it not been
for my understanding of the base. There were many entrances
and we had to run to the ship. While not in chronological order here,
after we repaired the schools and such at Fiji, we left for Australia.
We had 5 days and there was "date a sailor" or something like
that. I
remember going to King's Cross with shipmates at many various
pubs. I went to the Royal Botanical Garden and took many
interesting pictures for a few hours. I had just left ship on my own
and didn't know the area. So that was my first stop. Then I
asked directions to the city proper and went to Kings Cross.
The Aussies were most kind, very daring at partying. The shop
I was in and there were many, there were brothers onboard ship and his
youngest brother in an Aussie pub had a pin on his shirt lapel of
Australia. We were talking about alot of things and then
matters got into debates about our countries. So the younger brother
showed his lapel pin which had a kangaroo and the continent of
Australia and said, "well this is a kangaroo pissing on
Australia." Oh boy, I thought matters would really get bad
but instead we all somehow made up and went out of the pub walking side
by side with arms on our shoulders. Because we were visitors, we did
not take any bottles of beer with us. But the Aussies did and
after finishing their drinks would drop them on the street/sidewalk
even amidst the local policemen nearby and again I thought our cans
were in hot water but the police just ignored us! One of
the other interesting sidenotes of our visit there was that we were
leaving. I ended up with a gal far out in the country from Sydney. I
was not the only person making a dash for the ship before she went
underway. We came upon an interstate jammed with cars and even on the
passenger side my right foot was pushing through the floorboard as if
there was an accelerator pedal. The car made it to the gate
and we had to show our badges to the Aussie Navy Personnel. Cars and
people were zooming past in a hilarious fashion showing ID's from car
windows etc. I noticed the ship was about to go underway when I saw the
plank going to the quarterdeck raising. There were a few people who
went on it while raising the plank. There was a CPO lady who
waved me on and I ran up the plank where the others had foregoing the
usual salute and permission to come aboard, I was stupid to
do so because I had to leap a little and luckily did not fall and I was
the last person to legally board ship. I recall there was a
couple shipmates who were left behind and one who got aboard a small
boat and was hoisted while leaving the pier and yet another boarded
ship via a boat courtesy of the Aussie Navy and boarded ship where the
harbor master usually does. My
division was holding muster already and I was in civilian clothes and
running on that deck where everyone mustered inside. Can't recall the
name of it. As I was approaching my division the CPO and 1st
Class PO said, "Kepf present" and waved me on to get in uniform. Our
cruise went to Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Mombassa, Kenya, Philippines,
Guam, Fiji, Singapore, Australia, Diego Garcia, (where the
Navy Seals onboard caught a 10 foot shark), Australia, and New Zealand.
Our ship did not go to New Zealand because another typhoon hit Fiji,
and our ship was diverted. We were taking on needed fuel and
the typhoon made a turn for Fiji and we began bagging anything
including medical supplies in bags and had a line of shipmates all the
way to the Quarterdeck and heaving the bags to others on the
pier. The best we could do was 10 knots and we were lucky to
avoid the typhoon. The Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders
visited. I have many pictures and many memories come to
mind. I do recall that there was a death aboard ship of a 1st
class machinist mate who died of a high fever. I also
recall the warning not to drink water in Sri Lanka unless it was
bottled or boiled. I had their spaghetti at a restaurant. For
3 months I had dysentery and the Doc in sickbay took samples to see if
there was an organism. A sample was sent somewhere but
nothing showed up so it had to run its course. Being onboard ship with
duties and watches I confess everyone was very understanding when I had
"to go" often and although not sea-sick, this event did make me
sea-sick. I also recall becoming a shellback and the green
breakfast we had at the end which was less miserable than going through
days old of fermented food. Our clothes smelled so bad we
just threw them overboard even after being cleaned by the
firehose. The ship smelled for 3 days. Later I was
transferred up to Site TV and whenever events occurred we had to film
it. Whether it was dignitaries or training. The enjoyable but difficult
work was to keep up spirits by being in the radio station which had
30,000 albums. Capt. Elliot saw to it that the radio station be made
functional and improvements to what existed. I made
quite a few reel to reel tapes of songs people liked to hear. As a "DJ"
I tried to make a few jokes I hope made others
laugh. We began our 2nd WesPac going to Pearl, Guam, and then
Japan. We were to stay in Japan for either 60 or 90 days to
repair other vessels. I had only 6 months to go before
enlistment was up. I had an accident which left me paralyzed
from the waist down. There was no military hospital for spinal cord
injury. I recall our Division CWO visit me and I told him I'd
be fine in a couple weeks. For those who may recall this
event, I assure you my spirits were always high and I was never
defeated which has carried on to this day some 18 years ago.
I was at Chigasaki Hospital and there was only one person there who
could speak English. Yet the nurses knew what pain was and medicated me
for it. All the nurses and doctors were very kind and they
were not about to loose an American on "their watch" so the operation
they performed initially was difficult for them. Yet I was
alive and well. My last day before being Medivaced out, the nurses got me a Big Mac, Coca-Cola, and chocolate bar. I asked for drawing pencils and got some colored pens or crayons or a mixture. I drew a picture of the old Japanese flag of the rising sunburst rays. An illustration that my heart and gratitude will never leave the place of the "rising sun." They were all very touched and when I left in the ambulance to the airplane to send me back to the States, the nurses and doctors lined up along the driveway waving good-bye to me. The trip to the States was eventful but got to my final destination to have an operation to stabilize my back and function at a wheelchair level of activity. 3 Days after release from the hospital I flew back to San Diego. I went on base but could not go on board ship. --- One thing I failed to mention was that Capt. Elliot caught a tuna fish in Diego Garcia. It was huge! There was so much tuna that the Officer's Mess could not accommodate it all and we, the enlisted had plenty in the enlisted mess for a couple days. I can tell you that I had never tasted such great tuna ever in my life. The cooks onboard, many Filipino were excellent! I was not the only one to go back in the Navy Chow line onboard for 2nds or 3rds! :) I also served doing mess duty. (Minor editing by Patrick Long) (Keith Garcia remembers that Capt. Bailey caught the tuna, Anyone else want to weigh in on this one???) |
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