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Re: survivors of the fire in boiler one in Dec.1973

Sad to say I still think about it often..I was the generator watch above the space and made the final decision to close the hatch to oxygen starve the fire. I held off as long as I could,,helped some guys out before the last.

Re: survivors of the fire in boiler one in Dec.1973

I was there, that day, moving 500 pound GP bombs, from the Assembly Deck, near
Frame 167,... saw the hatch, on the 2nd deck closed,... and saw an HT2 repair
party guy get knocked unconcious, because he tried to open that closed hatch!
Layed him out, right across the scuttle ring, to the hatch! But, it was the right call, because we could not allow that intense fire to spread,... there
was live ordnance just two frames away, coming out of the AO Assembly Magazine!

Re: survivors of the fire in boiler one in Dec.1973

I also am reminded everyday. I was 14 at the time, I promised myself and Mike I would finish his career for him -sad time for all.

Re: survivors of the fire in boiler one in Dec.1973

I remember your brother very well. We used to play cards together in the compartment together. I was a BT (boiler man) in the same boiler room that Mike worked in. He was a good man, he was easy to like and to raise hell with. R.I.P. my friend.