USNS Norwalk (T-AK 279)

In February 1966, while stationed at the Polaris Missile Facility, Atlantic (POMFLANT) at Goose Creek, SC, during my one year of shore duty, I was "volunteered" (TAD - Temporary Assigned Duty) to make a supply run to Rota, Spain from Charleston, SC aboard the USNS Norwalk (T-AK 279), a converted Victory ship to FBM Supply ship. These Fleet Ballistic Missile supply vessels were required to carry a small US Navy security detail comprising of on officer and four enlisted personnel, since the majority of the ship's crew were civilians. The USNS Norwalk was loaded at the Charleston Naval Weapons Station pier on the Cooper River, after which we headed down the Cooper River a short distance towards the Charleston Naval Base and a brief tie up alongside the unused Southern Railway coal piers, which were east of the Naval Base and north of Drum Island. After several hours at the disused coal pier, we were again underway for the open Atlantic - destination Rota, Spain. A notable trip it was, crossing the Atlantic in the winter aboard a vessel that did not react well to heavy seas, which resulted in a real-life experience of what the World War II convoy merchant mariners must have endured - definitely not a trip for the squeamish. The travel time to get to Rota and back to Charleston was about two weeks sea time with about three days inport Rota to offload and take on items for the return trip. The one thing that sticks in my mind was the placement of the sleeping bunks (racks) - they were positioned athwartships (port to starboard) vice bow to stern and included nylon hold-in straps so you would not tumble out of your rack in heavy seas, but there was no provision to prevent you from sliding head to foot as the ship rolled port to starboard, which was CONSTANTLY. Consequently, after arriving in Rota, I caught up on my sleep pierside. Other than for the "sleeping" situation, the overall trip wasn't too bad and the chow was excellent and civilian crew accomodating. It was nice to get back to the Charleston area and the remainder of my shore duty at POMFLANT.