The Best Hiding Place Aboard

[Dick Zimmermann]

Mark Falade, MM3, 1976 - 80

The Best Hiding Place Aboard

Do any of you remember MM2 "Robbie" Robinson?  Long beard, tattoos of two black panthers on his forearms, I think, or maybe his back. He left about 1977 because I don’t think he went on the '77 WESTPAC cruise.  He would tell me stories about being on the gunline and every time he did his eyes would get real big.  

It was obvious he didn’t like it.  There was a void above the reefers on the reefer decks that was referred to as Robbie’s stateroom and anytime we couldn’t find him there were those of us who would know to check his stateroom and let him know they were looking for him.  It became mine when he and the other older guys left and I was probably the only one on board that knew where it was when I left.  

Anyone else find it after 1980?  It was by far the best place to hide on that whole ship.  Not that I ever did anything like that.  (grinning)

[sbowers2]

Steve Bowers, FTM2, 1975-80

We didn't have as good of a hiding place, but it was real good for practical jokes! In the WDE equipment rooms aft of the port and starboard bridge wings, we used to put a mattress across the top of the equipment bays. Someone on top usually wouldn't be noticed.

Laying up there, using my best 1MC voice, I "passed the word" for one of our new guys to lay to the fantail about five times before he figured it out![}:)]