i have not posted many sea stories lately, especially under the banner of “A Tale of the Sea and Me.” The reason is not writer’s block. i think it comes from a blank space in my old memories.

ii find this odd in that being first lieutenant on the USS Anchorage was not just the best tour i had in the Navy but the best job i’ve ever had. If i had to choose something i could have done for a job all of my life, it would be first lieutenant on an Landing Ship Dock (LSD), preferably that USS Anchorage.

i believe i have explained why that tour was so great aboard Anchorage and will not repeat that here.

For some reason, saved letters, ship logs, memorabilia and an old man’s memories have a blank period for my time aboard Anchorage in that deployment from when we left Manila and when the captain was relieved somewhere in the East China Sea.

In my 15 years of a 22-year career as a Naval Officer and aboard twelve ships, i served under sixteen commanding officers and two squadron commanders. Of those sixteen COs, one was a screamer. Seven of those COs were okay but had some faults in the way they handled command at sea. Ten of my COs were superb (i think this is pretty accurate since in my last Navy tour, i facilitated a seminar featuring a study of the best traits for an outstanding commanding officer).

In my assessment, the best commanding officer under whom i served was Commander Arthur St. Clair Wright (he retired as a Captain). Art was one of the best shiphandlers as a commanding officer. CAPT Max Lasell on the Hawkins, CDR Richard Butts on the Luce, and CAPT David Rogers on the Okinawa were superb shiphandlers as well, but Art Wright was superior.

Art, as CO of the Anchorage, was even tempered, extremely knowledgable about all aspects of a Navy ship as will as the way the Navy system worked. He motivated his officers and crew to excel, and he wanted them to enjoy themselves both on board and on liberty. Examples of that will follow.

That Anchorage deployment in 1975 was hyperactive in operations. About the first third was under the command of CDR Lou Aldana. i believe it was off Okinawa when his relief, CDR Wright, came aboard.

That is the moment that is indelible in my mind. One of the Beachmaster’s unit LARCs went into port and transported the relieving CO back to the ship. i was standing on the stern on the port wing wall with BM1 Hansborough, my well deck master. The stern gate was down to receive the LARC into the well deck. As the LARC made a starboard turn to head into the well deck, we watched the incoming CO toss an empty beer can over the side. It was a classic entry for a new commanding officer. i thought, “This is going to be interesting.

i was right. The man, Art Wright, was an incredible experience and made my first lieutenant tour the best.

i intend to post more sea stories frequently.