The plan followed throughout the ship called for the emptying of the lowest compartment first. Other compartments using the same abandon ship route stand fast until the troops in the lowest compartment have filed past.
It was found that by this drill all compartments could be emptied and all troops assembled at their abandon ship mustering stations within fifteen minutes of the sounding of the abandon ship signal, or within one half hour of the blowing of the “assembly” which sends the troops to their compartments.
The Gunnery Department
Gunnery Officers
- Creed H. Boucher, Lieut., U.S.N.; assigned, August 3, 1917; detached, April 20, 1918.
- Arnold H. Bateman, Lieut., U.S.N.; assigned, April 20, 1918; detached, October 27, 1918.
- Charles K. Osborne, Lieut. Comdr., U.S.N.; assigned, October 27, 1918; detached, April 3, 1919.
Assistant Gunnery Officers
- William E. Malloy, Lieut., U.S.N.; assigned, October 8, 1917.
(Lieut. Malloy was detached as assistant Gunnery Officer in order to take over the duties of First Lieutenant of the ship.)
Ship’s Gunners
- Arthur B. Dorsey, Lieut., U.S.N.; assigned, July 30, 1917; detached, January 22, 1919.
- John T. Swift, Lieut., U.S.N.; assigned, January 22, 1919; detached, March 6, 1919.
- James F. Williams, Gunner, U.S.N.; assigned, January 20, 1919.