Taylor Change of Command Statement

DD468/JDT:mr
5060
Ser: 67
4 March 1969

From: Commander James D. TAYLOR, Jr., USN, 552824/1100
To: Commander Destroyer Squadron ELEVEN
Via: Commander John B. Hurd, USN, 520781/1100

Subject: Change of Command, USS TAYLOR (DD-468) (OPNAV REPORT 5000-1)

Ref:
(a) U.S. Navy Regulations, 1948, Article 0739
(b) BUPERS Order No. 160019 of 2 Jan 1969
(c) BUPERS Order No. 140243 of 25 Sep 1968

Encl: (1) Equipage Shortages

1. I hereby report being relieved of command of USS TAYLOR (DD-468).
2. In company with my successor, 1 have:
   1. Conducted a thorough inspection of the ship. COMCRUDESPAC, Commanding Officer’s Material Inspection Guide was used for the engineering/electrical/hull portions of this inspection.
   2. Caused the crew to be exercised at general quarters and drills.
3. I consider that the personnel condition of the ship is satisfactory except that there are shortages of experienced/trained petty officers in the following ratings: Sonar Technician, Fire Control Technician and Electronics Technician; am there is no rated Postal Clerk Assigned.
4. The material condition of the ship is satisfactory except that:
   1. The bores of both 5″ gun mounts are over 90% eroded. Regunning has been requested during a tender availability scheduled for March 1969.
   2. Installation of the Radar Signal Processing Equipment (RSFE) alteration of the MK 37 Gunfire Control System has never been satisfactorily completed.
   3. All boilers require repair of refractory. Repairs are within ship’s force capability and are scheduled for completion during the March 1969 TAV.
   4. Air casings of all boilers require strengthening and replacement of deteriorated sections. Repairs are beyond ship’s force capability. Repair has been requested during the March 1969 TAV.
   5. Steam smothering in both firerooms is in need of extensive repair and/or replacement. Repair has been requested during the March 1969 TAV.
   6. Two fuel oil service tanks leak. Repair has been requested during the March TAV.
   7. No. one cruising turbine nozzle block leaks excessively. Repair by a naval shipyard has been requested.
   8. No. two cruising turbine cross aver valve leaks through and no. two H.P. turbine nozzle block leaks excessively. Repair by a naval shipyard has been requested.
   9. Several watertight doors and hatches are warped, sprung or broken and are not watertight. Repair has been requested during March 1969 TAV.
   10. Extensive areas of the superstructure are deteriorated due to bimetallic corrosion, particularly at the junction of the bulkheads and the main deck. This condition can be corrected only be extensive replacement of sections of the bulkhead.
   11. One AN/URC-32 transceiver is inoperative due to a defective antenna coupler. A replacement coupler is on order.
   12. The ship is not satisfactorily degaussed. The degaussing system is working properly but new M coil charts must be prepared to obtain a satisfactory signature.
   13. An extensive amount of cabling in the electrical distribution system is brittle and deteriorated from age.
   14. Number two boiler is out of commission due to leaks in the stud wall tubes. Repair will be accomplished during the March 1969 TAV.
   15. Number one electric main condensate pump is inoperative due to shorten stator windings. Rewinding by tender has been requested.
   16. Feed water usage is excessive due to leakage in number two and three boilers, number two main condensate pump and defective drain piping. Both boilers will be repaired by ship’s force. Repair of number two main condensate pump drain piping has been requested during the March 1969 TAV.
5. An inventory of equipage conducted in company with my successor on 24 February revealed:
   1. All equipage aboard is accounted for by signed custody receipts.
   2. All unserviceable equipage and those items missing on Inventory are accounted for by survey.
   3. Not all allowed controlled equipage, not aboard, is on order. Enclosure (1) is a listing of current controlled equipage shortages. The current status of the operating target shows an unobligated balance of $11,724.20. These funds are adequate to support this until the end of the current quarter.
6. Commander J.B. HIRD,. USN holds a final TOP SECRET clearance issued by Commanding Officer, USS WILTSIE (DD-716) dtd 15 March 1966; based on a background investigation completed by ONI on 7 March 1958.
7. An Inventory, audit, and required page checks of RPS distributed publications have been performed in accordance with RPS 4G. The RPS Custodian meets the requirements of CONCRUDESPAC OPORDER 201-YR, Annex F. I have signed all log books, journals, fitness reports on all officers, and all other records and papers requiring my signature. The following have been turned over to my relief:
   1. All unexecuted orders.
   2. All regulations and orders in force which are applicable to the ship.
   3. Ail official correspondence and information concerning the command and the personnel thereof, as may be of service to my relief.
   4. Ail documents required by U.S. Navy Regulations, 1948, be either kept or supervised by the Commanding Officer.
   5. A current audit of postal accounts and effects.
   6. All magazine and other keys in my custody.
   7. All unit examiner stamps for armed forces censorship.
8. The itemized accounts of the following activities have been examined by my relief and the condition of each account, on the date indicated, was as follows:
   1. General Mess: 12 February 1969 — Under issue $716.18
   2. Ship’s store: 28 February 1969 funds available for transfer to the W & R Fund: NONE
   3. Unit Recreation Fund:
      Cash in Bank $673.49
      Cash on Hand $291.92
      Total $965.41

      Recreation property worth: $543.86

   4. Officers Mess: 28 February 1969 net worth $410.10.

J.D. TAYLOR, Jr.