Dock Work
or
"These things happen!"

The war was almost over, and dad was trying to get back to the mainland. Work was getting scarce, but sometimes he had a little "help" from his friends. As told to me (WGI) by my father (WOI) on 13 January 1996. I have done some editing and rearranging, to improve the readability and keep things in sequence. - WGI

WOI:  After a little while things had slowed down, and we were
      just *looking* for work.  The war was winding down, and
      everything.  Most of the civilians were heading back. 
      I'd asked for permission to return to the States and been
      refused a couple of times.

      I got to know a Chief Bo's'un's Mate...

WGI:  Not Boats?!

WOI:  No, but they were the workhorses of the Navy.  They were
      the people cause things to happen.

      I had a crew that were working in Meri (sp?) Point docks
      and there was nothing to *do* at Meri Point docks!  I'd
      send them out and they'd come back saying that there was
      nothing to do.

      This Chief was a in charge of a bunch of oil barges.  "Oh,"
      he says, "you don't have any work to do?"

      "No, no," I said.

      He said, "How be I tear out about a 100 yards of fender
      piles?"

      <chuckle>  I said, "OK, whatever you want to do."

      So he slammed a couple of barges against the docks and
      tore out a bunch of fender piles and backing logs.  He
      said, "Hey, that ought to keep you working for a week or
      two!"  Oh, jeez!

Both: <laughter>

WGI:  These things happen!

WOI:  Yeah, these things happen.

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Dock Work or "These things happen!"

Dock Work
or
"These things happen!"