This is not my usual history of Northern California post. Instead I am sharing a bit of family history for the New Year.

My father, Alfred R. Norris, was a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Navy. From 1958 to 1961 he served as officer of the deck on the USS Jupiter (AVS-8) in Yokosuka, Japan. On New Year’s Day 1961 he was the officer of the day and as was customary, he recorded the deck log for the midwatch (midnight to 4:00 a.m.) in the form of verse.

The ship is moored tightly, starboard side to berth three
With condition Yoke set, and lights on the tree,
Eight inch lines doubled, to hold us secure
And a headwire out, just to make sure.
The services required, including a phone
Are coming aboard from the land of Nihon
Ashore in Yokosuka, the crew’s having fun
For that’s where we’re spending New Year ’61.
The man who is boss in the harbor tonight
Is COMDESFLET ONE, with his two stars so bright.
With many ships present, and all painted gray
PACFLET, various units, all happy and gay.
For the month of December, the iron was cold
Even the Captain was freezing, in spite of his gold.
Now boiler one’s steaming, it’s warm again here,
And we’re wishing you all, a Happy New Year.

A.R. NORRIS
Command Duty Officer

The Navy has very specific instructions about how the log is to be kept. However, according to the National Archives “Pieces of History”, an exception can be made for the New Year.

The sole exception to the tight regulations of the deck log takes place on the first night of the New Year during the mid-watch (midnight to 0400), when a ship may record the first entry of the New Year in verse. Navy regulations still apply, however, and however artistic the poet may be, they must still include the mandatory requirements of the current Navy Regulations: “the sources of electric power, steam and water; the state of the sea and weather; position of the ship; status of the engineering plant; courses and speed of the ship, bearings and distance of objects sighted; changes in status of ship’s personnel, disposition of the engineering plant, and even the strain upon anchor chain or cables when anchored and the placement of lines while moored.”

The custom seems to be in decline and fewer of these poems are being recorded. But it’s a fun tradition and one that I hope will not fade away entirely. You can read more about New Year’s midwatch poetry at Midwatch in Verse. The authors have even published a book.

A few notes: “Lights on the tree” (I think) refers to the lights that were put out on the mast at Christmas time. I remember seeing that. “Condition Yoke set” refers to the level of material readiness on board ship. There are three levels: XRAY, YOKE, and ZEBRA. Yoke is usual while in port.