Amateur Film: Navy Initiation at Sea

★★★★ · Lake Champlain refueling at sea · Mike Mitchell · 2007-04-06

Great video! I enjoyed it and it took me back in time. However, the date of filming, circa 1955, was suspect. Therefore I ran the date of filming question past my ex-shipmates on the "CV39THECHAMP" WEB site and the following is our conclusion. "This video was definitely taken during the Korean cruise and it was taken during the return trip from Yokosuka to Mayport sometime between late October 1953 and early December 1953, when the Champ returned to Mayport." Time frame clues: A code of "F" is visible on the tail of a F2H2 Banshee aircraft indicating that it belonged to Carrier Air Group-4…

★★★ · Initiation · Flags · 2006-07-17

This is a classic film of refueling at sea. I was a SM aboard a reefer and I participated in many a event like this. The Oiler is the USS Pawcatuck(AO-108). She was assigned to the 6th Fleet, which means this footage was probably shot in the Med. The timeframe of 1955 or so is probably correct since those are Panther jets on deck,along with what appear to be A3D's (prop jobs). As the ship approaches, you see the Romeo flag being flown which means prepared to be received. The other flags are the Bravo flags which is a Danger flag flown when loading fuel or ammo. The two black diamonds are…

★★ · Refueling, not hazing · Sailor · 2004-05-18

As an ex-Navy sailor, I can say that what we have here is an underway replenishment at sea. The first shots show an aircraft carrier (CVA-39, USS Lake Champlain) taking on fuel from an oiler (AO-108, though I don't know the name yet). The movie is shot from the deck of an unnamed destroyer that comes up along the other side of the oiler to start its own refueling. The last shots show the destroyer some time later having finished refueling, now pulling away. Judging by the planes on the deck of the carrier, I'd also say it's ca. 1955. There's no hazing (probably on a section of the film that…

★★ · There's a ship, and there's another one! · Spuzz · 2003-07-20

Those expecting some sort of hazing ritual will be put off by this somewhat deceptively titled film which features some great shots of ships at sea, and an aircraft carrier. It also shows some sailors at sea. But that's about it. I would date this film mid 1950's.