Ron, I made a post Feb., 2008, to which you replied in May. I apologize for not checking back, and have just now read your response. I thank you for your research - and yes, I am Leslie D. and was aboard the Rachel Jackson. I have a copy of the ship's logs and records, but appreciate your offer. There have been many comments on this website about "diaries kept", which I believe to be the entries made by the ship's Gunnery Officer. On this particular voyage, G. P. Powell indeed made hundreds of interesting entries. (NOTE: A picture of our gun crew on the Rachel Jackson (while in Port Said") can be found on the "Dean Tackitt" Personal Page.) After leaving Casablanca for N.Y., we crossed the Atlantic alone and were required to stand watch for 3-on and 3-off for fourteen days. Just curious as to how many Armed Guard reading this were required to stand this type of watch - with 20mm cocked and loaded. Thank you Ron for all you do.
Re: Thank you
Posted by Roy Brown on May 1, 2009, 8:37 pm, in reply to "Thank you"
Your post was interesting. I probably missed a post or something happened that I didn't see the post you made about your ship. What kind of ship were your aboard? I never hear of 3 on and 3 off watches...only 4 on and 4 off. Can you tell more baout that? Thanks. Roy Brown
Re: Thank you
Posted by Dean Tackitt on May 4, 2009, 10:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Thank you"
Roy, The SS Rachel Jackson was a Liberty Ship and as far as the 3-on and 3-off watch - I don't know the advantage, but I do know it was a terrible exhausting way to spend fourteen days and nights. I remember that 4-on and 4-off was bad enough. Anyway, we were sure glad to see N.Y. Dean Tackitt
