*USS SAN JUAN WEEKLY PUBLICATION*

"T-H-E   P-A-N-T-H-E-R"

PANTHER NEEDS WRITERS.

     The point system, however welcome it may be, is cutting a swath through the Panther personnel as well as the Divisions, so all you guys who either have "literary" ability, or who think you have, just drop a sample to the Editor of this newsworthy periodical and let him be the judge!  Too, don't be bashful, who knows, you may be literally dripping with talent!  Among the many notables who have answered the call and lure of civilian life are E.S. Wheeler, SK1c, who was a constant contributor and an expert on pay and procedure etc.  Of course, it is understood that Randall, who has the distinction of having the rate of SKD1c tacked on his name (as you know, that is one of the indispensable rates at the present) will fall into the "Column" and keep us informed of all increases in pay and allowances....  We hope.  Also it is rumored that the recent loss of one young Tackett, Y1c is likely to cause a shake up in the editor who has carried it so safely over so many rocks and shoals since it's inception in March of this year, has been elected to fill Tackett's position, and with the advent of ;the point system, it seems to be a full time job.  However with the cooperation of all hands, the Panther will continue to go to press.  The loss of the services of certain high point personnel as Lt. Galland, officer advisor and contributor of many excellent articles from the Panther; will remember as "Your Seadaddy of Plank Owners Patter" will be keenly felt by all regular readers of the Panther....if there is such a thing.  Lt. Galland is patiently awaiting orders, for Uncle Sugar and his family and is being relieved by one of our new Ensigns fresh from the Academy, in fact, he's a year ahead of his scheduled class graduation, and is ready and rearing and seems bent on higher maintaining or surpassing (if possible) his predecessor's record.  However, a suitable relief has not yet been found for Falloon (the indispensable man), you know as the qualifications are pretty high, i.e., he should be a plank owner or at least a "salty dog"; he should have a good sense of humor; and should know almost every one on board by their first names, (except the officers, of course.) and last but not least, he should dive in with the idea that he is going to increase the circulation of the Panther, if possible.
     Do you qualify?  Your qualifications and credentials should be submitted to Ensign McCormack or the Editor by next Wednesday in the form of a manuscript ready to go to press entitled "Plank Owners Patter".  The manuscript should be between one and two pages when typewritten, "yours doesn't have to be typed...just legibly written in ink) and will be chosen on the presence of the qualifications enumerated above.  The decision of Ensign McCormack will be final and may the best writer win!!

NAGATO 100 YARDS FROM SAN JUAN

     Built in 1919 and remodeled in 1935, the Nagato is probably one of the largest pre-war battleships.  Its 42,500 ton displacement place it in a much heavier class than any of our pre-Pearl Harbor BB's.  During remodeling in 1935, the Nagato was equipped with an all American engineering plant built by G.E..  Her 4 screws are all driven by G.E. turbines thru a compound reduction gear.  Also added was a blister and numerous AA guns making it a class A battleship.  At the Philippines however, she met more than her match having taken a hit topside.  She was brought to Yokosuka for repairs.  Before repairs could be completed, the war had gone from bad to worse for the Jap and an invasion of their home island seemed inevitable, it was decided then that the Nagato would be used for a floating fortress and a very formidable one it would have made with it's 8-16 inch rifles.  For this reason extensive alterations were undertaken, almost all the AA battery was removed to the hills around the bay, and the gyro compasses were taken out.  Contrary to many ideas, the top of the mainmast has not been blown off, but was neatly cut off with acetylene torches by the Japs.  The top of the foremast has almost been cut off also.  It was in this condition that our carriers planes caught her.  We hit her with two one thousand pound bombs.   One struck the conning tower and completely destroyed the bridge and other parts of the superstructure.  The conning conning tower was undamaged.  The second bomb hit the port side just forward of the mainmast and has caved in the boat lock in that section.  No spaces within the armored box have been damaged.  The engineering plant, except for some leaks in the oil and steam lines due to shock, is completely intact.  When the Americans entered Yokosuka the Nagato was tied alongside the dock manned by 400 Jap sailors.  One of our tugs towed it out to its present position and removed all but three of the Japs from it, an officer, a watertender 1c, and a fireman 1c.  These men served as interpreters and guides for our prize crew.  We now have 63 men aboard the ship from the USS Delta.  One boiler is lit off with which they are generating their light and power.  The three Japs have been taken off.  The electric switch board is now tagged with English.
     After looking over the Nagato is seems that the Jap Navy lived much better than their Army.  The sick bay of the Nagato seemed very complete, that is, what's left of it.  Laying all about was the inevitable Navy needle and Syringe.  It was equipped with a very complete laboratory and the sick ward even had something on our own.  Their sacks were made so that they would swing when the ship rolled and the patient would be undisturbed.  One of the most noticeable features of the ship was the shortness of their sacks. (Bunks to the civilian readers').
     It was hard to gather anything about their fire control system.  Their computers seemed much more complicated than ours and had about three times as many knobs to turn.  None of us could read the dials so it would be hard to say what each dial was for.  Their dials were nothing like ours.
     Just what the fate of the Nagato will be no one seems to know.  At first it was thought that it would be taken back to the States for the Victory Parade.  That seems definitely out now since there is not enough time to tow it back and it would take a large size crews at least three weeks to get it in running shape and become familiar with the ship.  It has also been mentioned that it will be taken out and used as an experiment for an atomic bomb.  If this is so, then you know as much about it as we do.  That would be one way of dusting off the last remnant of the once proud Imperial Japanese Navy.

JUDGE NOT!

     Everyone hates to be falsely accused of anything.  Yet one of the easiest things in the world to do is to pass judgment on others.  Because it's easy, and because we so often do it without thinking, we forget how unfair and wrong it is.  Rash judgment is one of the biggest headaches on a ship.  We live so closely together that half of our conversations are taken up with chatter about others on the ship.  If someone gets a break, a dozen others will accuse him of everything from earbanging to lying and cheating.  If someone loses something, a buddy (?) will always be around to hint that maybe So-and-So took it.  Sure, somebody is always responsible for whatever happens, but it is not our place to sit in judgment on anyone, unless we have the facts.  All the facts top, and not just whose which are based on hearsay.
     A fact is truth: something based on undeniable evidence.  It is not an opinion.  Our opinions usually are built solely on our own likes and dislikes, or even on spite or malice and bitterness.
     If you must judge others, then let your judgments be inspired by the good a man does...otherwise, shut up!  Christ put it this way: "Judge not, and you shall not be judged".
     And Bobby Burns writing a poem about a group of catty women, said this:
"Yo high exalted virtuous dames,
Tied up in godly laces,
Before ye give poor Frailty names,
Suppose a change of cases.
Who made the heart, 'tis He alone Decidedly can try us,
He knows each chord-its various tone,
Each spring-its various bias.
Then at the balance let's be mute,
We never can adjust it:
What's done DONE we partly may compute,
But know not what's RESISTED."

FIRST DIVISION DOPE

     Many of you have probably noticed the Chinese we have aboard.  His name is Lin Ching Chong and he hails from the Island of Formosa.  I have heard many stories of his activities in the past eight years each one different.  Here is the straight dope from Lin himself as told to a few members of the first division.
     Lin has been in Japan for the past eight years.  He was in an electrical engineering school when the war broke out between China and Japan.  When he tried to get back to Formosa he found it impossible and was forced to remain in Japan.  They placed him in a prison camp for awhile, then released him for work.  Lin is 23 years old and enjoys talking with the boys of the first division.
     The first division suffered a great but willing loss when the high point men left.  There were tears in a great many of our eyes when they went down the gangway on their first step toward home.
     It seems that Recino, bow hookman for the Commodore's barge, and Melios, Coxswain, had a disagreement as to the general direction of the barge.  Melios and the barge went their way; Recino his - - it being the drink.  He went down and came up with a smile of self satisfaction for he still had the bow hook in one hand and the line from the supply ship in the other.
     By the look of some of the haircuts, the barbers are holding a field day, but of course there are some people that get by, even mad barbers - - "oh, Severa".
     What's the matter, De Paulo?  Broda beat you out of a job?  And he can't even play pinochle!

ANY MORE??

     In future issues how about hearing from you other divisions?  Just write up a little article and give it to the Editor.  So let's get hot!

EVERYDAY JAPANESE

     A few simple rules of pronunciation will enable anyone to develop a working everyday Japanese conversation.  The vowels are pronounced as follows:

     Japanese syllables are pronounced with almost equal stress.  The consonants are pronounced as in English except that G is always hard as in Get, S is hissing sound as in our words self and salmon; and the F is pronounced with the lips a little apart and the teeth almost in contact; the Z is as in zoo.
     Now for a review of the useful expressions.
________ga arimas ka?  Have you any ______?
_________wa doko des ka?  Where is the _________?
Kore wa ikura des ka?  How much is this?
nihonno hata - Japanese flag.
hoski - chopsticks
kakemono - hanging scroll
sakozuki - sake cups
benjo - toilet
miso - store or shop
sensu - folding fan

STILL COMING

     Again the Stork has arrived on the Good Ship San Juan.  This time is came to J.E. Cardoza S1c (RM) of the Communication Department.  Cardoza now the proud father of a 8 pound baby girl.  The new baby was born on the 17th of September.  This makes number three for John.  Now he's just waiting for the new A1Nav.  Congratulations form all hands John!!!

REHABILITATION
(or how not to treat a returning vet)

Sailor Sam, A Navy Man with years aboard a cruiser, came home one day with ribbons on his chest;
To settle down in his home town and get some needed rest.
Away from War and battle's roar - Ah this would be the life!  And then, no doubt, he'd look about and get a dog and wife.
But, alas, poor Sam know not that while he sailed the seas the folks at home had read a tome about Psychiatry.
That learned that Sam 'pon his return would suffer transformation:  They didn't work but set to work on Rehabilitation.
When Sam sacked in to rest his head, they stood outside his door
And watched his every movement and counted every snore.
While on the street they dogged his feet from early morn till late at night, The cops were warned to watch him lest Asiatic he should go.
Now all this fuss made Samuel cuss and still they wouldn't stop it.
But Sam was wise,
Like most GI's, so he didn't blow his top.
The one day he took his bag, and packed his old mess hear, and swung his hammock in the yard and crawled right into it.
The old home front let out a grunt and raised a mighty stink:
The Vet, they said, has lost his head and should be in a klink.
Sam raised his head and sternly said, While peering from his hammock.  (His language wasn't nice, nor was it French he was speaking) "Go home and let me be, and tell this to the nation, it's not GI's but your the guys that need Rehabilitation.

WHAT ! !  NO ZOOT SUIT?

NO CIVVIES.  Belay the word on the civvies, men.  The Navy Department has just retracted its order allowing naval personnel to wear civilian clothes during their off duty hours.  It seems that the civilians couldn't get enough to wear themselves, much less thousands of eager sailors waiting to get into that new zoot suit.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

HOW MANY POINTS HAVE YOU GOT??

SPORTING NEWS OF SAN JUAN

     With the war's end the San Juan soon began a reconversion process of it's own.  From fighting the Japs for keeps the ship soon turned to fighting shipmates for fun.  Two of our warriors were defeated in the boxing ring aboard the New Jersey, but Mr. Zito, the coach says. "The boxing team has possibilities and we are counting on a victory Saturday in a tentative bout with the cruiser St. Paul."  Wright and Rogers both lost on points to their opponents on the New Jersey.  Both men fought well but were not in good condition.  Incidentally the boxers had a good dinner - - steak and ice cream and were well taken care of.
     Several veterans have reported for boxing practice including, Musto, Beltram, Kennedy.  Other prospective belters are Oberstar, Wilkic, Peterson, Puterbaugh, Gesiorski, Kohler.  Perhaps you've heard the word passed every day at 1645 "Now the Boxing team lay down to the forward mess hall". Yup, they even rate special chow!  See a few more of you fellows down there.

DO YOU KNOW THEM?

Here are some of the more popular tunes back in Uncle Sugar.
Atchison, Topeka, & the Santa Fe.
If I loved you.
Till the End of Time. (Polonaise)
You Belong to My Heart.
Gotta Be this or That.
There I said it Again.
I Wish I Knew.
I'm Gonna Love That Guy.
Dream
Tampico

He's not Girl Crazy, He's just a She-sick sailor.

TO "MOTHER" FROM "JACK"

Away over seas,
Hello, Mother Dear,
I do miss you so
And wish you were here.

I hope you are well,
I'm right in the prime,
It's much cooler now,
And rains all the time.

The people are swell,
They treat me O.K.
But no other place
Is like dear U.S.A.

Say "Hi" to them all
Back where I came from
And ask them to please
Take care of my "Mom".

Of letters from home
Yours are the best,
Just write fourteen pages
And I'll do the rest.

Now write every day,
Until I get back,
Forever my "love"
To "Mother" from "Jack".
         - - - Jack Andrews, WT2/c.