Friday, October 7, 2011

USS Pickens completes her service

After leaving Panama we crossed the gulf and proceeded up the east coast to Norfolk. There, we were in the Hampton Roads area, the world's largest naval base.  Most of the people still on board were, like me, young, single, and awaiting that notice of the place and time of our discharge.

We had few watches to stand but we had duties as we prepared the ship for decommissioning.  Our work during the day was highly unpleasant, chipping off rust and removing asbestos deep in the bowels of the ship. The masks we were issued helped very little to keep the dust out of noses and mouths, and we were covered in dust at the end of the day.

Decommissioning was completed April 12, and the Pickens was re-delivered to the United States Maritime Commission April 18.  On May 1 her name was struck from the Navy list.  In 1970 she was  with the National Defense Reserve Fleet, laid up at the  James River berthing area. Her fate after that, I do not know.

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