Been there, done that in a 2100 ton, 300 ft. destroyer, the USS Van Valkenburgh, DD-656, in 1952. As I tell the story, the Captain asked me, "How do we turn around in this sea? We have to come about (turn around) to get out of this typhoon." I told him, "Simple. As you ride up the 60-foot wave, put the starboard screw on all-back-full, and the port screw on all-ahead-full. Just as you reach the crest of the wave, put 'er on hard right rudder! Don't forget to put the helm amidships and both screws on full ahead when you start down the other side of the wave.
Then when the ship starts accelerating down into the trough, slow the screws down to about half power." He did that, we came smartly around 180 degrees, plowed into the wave now in front of us, steadied, and rode back out of the storm." I asked the Captain to give full credit to the helmsman and the two engine-room mates on the port and starboard throttles. He asked me how I knew what to do? I told him, "I sailed around the world with Chief Machinist-Mate Richard McKenna - see 'The Sand Pebbles.' He not only taught me all I know about ship handling and stream engineering. He wrote it all up in an award-winning book and famous movie.
Then when the ship starts accelerating down into the trough, slow the screws down to about half power." He did that, we came smartly around 180 degrees, plowed into the wave now in front of us, steadied, and rode back out of the storm." I asked the Captain to give full credit to the helmsman and the two engine-room mates on the port and starboard throttles. He asked me how I knew what to do? I told him, "I sailed around the world with Chief Machinist-Mate Richard McKenna - see 'The Sand Pebbles.' He not only taught me all I know about ship handling and stream engineering. He wrote it all up in an award-winning book and famous movie.
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