photo courtesy Harold P. Nitch

Tidewater's fantail greeting to our relief tender

his photo was sent to us by AD31 Association Life Member Harold P. Nitch, who served aboard the Tidewater from Oct. 1959 to Oct. 1961. Harold says this about his photo: "This picture was taken in August of 1960 in Cartgena, Spain and shows a message from the Tidewater to the USS Cascade AD16 when we were being relieved. The message was displayed on what was known as Mount 52, a 5 inch, 38 caliber gun located on the fantail. The gun mount was later replaced by a DASH Hanger."

The complete message reads: "YOU KEEP THE 6TH FLEET WELL SUPPLIED - WE'LL KEEP THE U.S. WOMEN SATISFIED. IT'S A LONG COLD WINTER."

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