Print Page - Casco -- Reference: Transcription Example and Log Description

Old Weather: Classic => The Dockyard => Topic started by: Randi on 21 August 2013, 11:54:00

Title: Casco -- Reference: Transcription Example and Log Description
Post by: Randi on 21 August 2013, 11:54:00

If you want to look at similar pages for other ships go to: * * * Index - Use this to find your Ship * * * (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3210.0)

Welcome on board the USS Casco

The third Casco, launched 15 November 1941, was a small seaplane tender. She earned three battle stars for her World War II service.

(http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g60000/g65978.jpg)

The quantity of information on this page may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but transcribing is mostly straightforward and it becomes much easier with practice!
The information here will guide you to smooth sailing; please take a look at it before beginning to transcribe.

In addition to this topic, we have other helpful topics and many people willing to help.

To start transcribing see:
Guides for US logs: drawing entry boxes, transcribing and editing (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3078.0)
To have an experienced transcriber look at your transcriptions and give you feedback see:
Ask for expert advice (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3944.0)
To ask a general question see:
Got a question? Old hands are here to help (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3945.0)
To ask a question specific to this ship or to share an interesting discovery see:
Casco (Aleutian Campaign) -- Discussion: Questions and Comments (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=4190.0)
Casco (Distant Seas) -- Discussion: Questions and Comments (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3926.0)
If you are interested in the names of crew members see:
Casco (Aleutian Campaign) -- Crew Lists (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3924.0)
Casco (Distant Seas) -- Crew Lists (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=4189.0)

We have done our best to flag the difficulty level of ships with the star rating.
Most logbook formats are very close to our standard template, but a few are wildly different.
A few logbooks are typed, but most are handwritten. The writing ranges from excellent to truly horrible.
Finally, if you are becoming frustrated with the ship you are working on, try another ship.

Many log pages are typed!

We currently have example log pages for the following formats:

14 November 1942 (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3923.msg71890#msg71890)
(http://www.cosmik.com/oldweather/casco_-_1942_nov_14_-_b1764_021.jpg)
2 March 1946 (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3923.msg72176#msg72176)
(http://www.cosmik.com/oldweather/casco_-_1946_mar_2_-_b1767_146.jpg)(http://www.cosmik.com/oldweather/casco_-_1946_mar_2_-_b1767_147.jpg)

Links to further info about the ship and general background:

NAVAL-HISTORY.NET: Casco (http://naval-history.net/OW-US/Casco/USS_Casco.htm)
DICTIONARY of American Naval Fighting Ships: Casco (http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c4/casco-iii.htm)
NavSource Online: Casco (http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/43/4312.htm)
Wikipedia: Casco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Casco_%28AVP-12%29)
Pictures of the ship (http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-c/avp12.htm)
United States Navy Combat Narrative The Aleutians Campaign June 1942--August 1943 (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-CN-Aleutians.html)
The Casco beached on Atka (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Aleutians/img/USN-CN-Aleutians-7.gif)
Invasion fleet gathers in Adak Harbor (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Aleutians/img/USN-CN-Aleutians-14.gif)
Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians, by Brian Garfield (http://books.google.fr/books?id=9_bgaZyjnJkC&pg=PA174&lpg=PA174&dq=Willis+Everett+Cleaves&source=bl&ots=l1JbxnNBdC&sig=wLJvj2zL1jzJWzKObOQjHk341NE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KLYPUuWTM-qa0AXCmIHwCQ&ved=0CGIQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=casco&f=false):
The book mentions Casco and includes a dramatic account of her being torpedoed on 30 August 1942 by a Japanese submarine while on duty in Alaska. Our logs should cover that period.
The Flying, Fighting Weathermen of Patrol Wing Four (http://www.nps.gov/aleu/historyculture/upload/the-flying-weathermen-vol-3-13257.pdf)
John Huston's documentary/propaganda film of the Aleutian Islands' campaign (http://archive.org/details/Report_From_The_Aleutians)
Aboard the Farragut Class Destroyers in World War II: A History with First-Person Accounts of Enlisted Men (http://books.google.fr/books?id=1DdWfsaZHVQC&dq)

Title: Re: Casco -- Reference: Transcription Example and Log Description
Post by: Randi on 21 August 2013, 15:45:06

USS Casco

This post covers a log page from 14 November 1942.

(Part 1 of 2 Go to Part 2 (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3923.msg71891#msg71891))

Comments on the log:

This is a fairly standard log format with one exception.
- This log shows the amount of clouds rather than the amount of clear sky, but the number should be entered exactly as it is in the log.
In this log the date is normally on both the weather and the remarks pages. For this reason, the 'Progress Bar', just above the image of the log page, will be out of sequence and should be ignored. Please transcribe the date each time it appears. The date in this example is in the same order as on the Date tab (day, month, year) following the Royal Navy format. If other pages use the US order (month, day, year), the date should still be entered on the Date tab in the order day, month, year.
Some of the log pages are typed.
US logbooks generally have a page of weather observations paired with a page of remarks for the same day. During WW2, the weather observations and the remarks were sometimes kept separately. Consequently, you may see a series of weather pages and then a series of remarks pages. For more details see http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3450.msg72052#msg72052.
On the RN ships we encouraged transcribers to record the names of people, places, and ships mentioned in the log. Now there are some new items that are of interest. The scientists would appreciate your recording sightings of sea ice on the Sea Ice tab and sightings of animals on the Animals tab.
NEW: Kevin Wood (a member of the OW science team) and Chris Davis (of the Solar Stormwatch project) are interested in reports of sunspots and aurorae because these are very informative about the activity of the Sun. Kevin and Chris would appreciate your recording these reports on the Events tab. For more information see Old Space Weather: sightings of aurorae and sunspots (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3670.0)
AND
Dr Ed Hawkins (Senior research scientist, NCAS-Climate) is interested in volcanic eruptions and would appreciate your recording these reports on the Events tab.

Links to helpful transcribing information:

Getting Your Sea Legs (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=4.0)
- Guides for US logs: drawing entry boxes, transcribing and editing (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3078.0)
- Ask for expert advice (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3944.0)
- Got a question? Old hands are here to help (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3945.0)
Type What You See - Yes, but ... (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3191.0)
HELPFUL REFERENCE POSTS (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3301.0)
What Does THAT mean? (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=9.0)
Geographical Help (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=24.0)
(Place names (including lighthouses) from the logs are available in the form of alphabetical lists and Google Earth maps. In addition, there are links to old and new maps and other place name resources. You can also ask for help and contribute your own research.)
Handwriting Help (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=8.0)
Technical Support (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=14.0)
Registers of the Commissioned Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps 1775-1970 (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AMH/USN/Naval_Registers/)
(For most of Casco's officers you will need to look at "Registers of the Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers
of the United States Naval Reserve (1943)". Caution: the search function does not always find all occurrences.)
Ranks and Rates of the U.S. Navy (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref/Ranks&Rates/index.html)
U.S. Navy Abbreviations of World War II (http://www.history.navy.mil/books/opnav20-p1000/index.html)

Weather Page:
Example: http://www.djcosmik.com/oldweather/casco_-_1942_nov_14_-_b1764_021.jpg

The following quote shows the data that should be transcribed from the weather page. There are some more detailed explanations after the quote.
Please enter the sets of weather observations for every row that has been recorded. Rows with no weather data should be omitted. There are usually 24 sets while the ship is at sea and six or seven while the ship is in port. On rare occasions there are more than 24.
Not all of the columns in the "weather table" are transcribed. Some of the data relates only to the ship and some weather details, such as the direction the clouds are moving from and visibility, are not transcribed. So, before clicking OK, check that your data is in the correct fields. Please transcribe all the weather data in those columns that have a corresponding field on the entry box (see 'Weather Observation' here (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3078.msg54137#msg54137) under 'What to enter').
You should not add to what is in the log or make "corrections" except in very special circumstances (see Type What You See - Yes, but ... (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3191.0)). If you are having trouble reading something or are unsure what to do, you can ask questions on the forum in Casco (Aleutian Campaign) -- Discussion: Questions and Comments (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=4190.0) and Casco (Distant Seas) -- Discussion: Questions and Comments (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3926.0). Remember that it is more important to be accurate than to be fast.

Quote

Location | Port Name | Name = PSNY Bremerton, Wash Date = 14/11/1942

Hour | Wind Dir | Force | Bar Height | Ther Attached | Dry| Wet | Water | Weather Code | Cloud Code | Clear Sky |
1 S 3 2978 51 51 OR A-Str 10
2 S 3 2971 51 51 OR A-Str 10
3 S 3 2971 51 51 OR A-Str 10
4 S 5 2971 51 51 OR A-Str 10
5 S 3 2971 51 51 OR A-Str 10
6 S 3 2968 50 50 OR A-Str 10
7 S 3 2965 49 49 OR A-Str 10
8 S 3 2962 48 48 OR A-Str 10
9 S 1 2956 49 48 OR Str-Nim 10
10 S 1 2952 48 48 OR Str-Nim 10
11 S 2 2948 46 46 OR Str-Nim 10
12 S 2 2942 47 47 OR Str-Nim 10

Hour | Wind Dir | Force | Bar Height | Ther Attached | Dry| Wet | Water | Weather Code | Cloud code | Clear Sky |
13 S 3 2941 47 47 OR Str-Nim 10
14 S 3 2941 47 47 OR Str-Nim 10
15 S 3 2948 46 46 OR Str-Nim 10
16 S 3 2954 46 46 OR Str-Nim 10
17 S 3 2960 44 44 OR Str-Nim 10
18 S 3 2968 44 44 OR Str-Nim 10
19 S 3 2976 44 43 OR Str-Nim 10
20 S 3 2976 45 45 OR Str-Nim 10
21 S 3 2976 45 45 OR Str-Nim 10
22 S 3 2976 45 45 OR Str-Nim 10
23 S 3 2976 45 45 OR Str-Nim 10
24 S 3 2976 47 46 OR Str-Nim 10

Notes for transcribers:

Port Name should be used when the ship has stopped somewhere as is the case here. Only the name should be included. Place Name should be used when the ship is in transit (e.g., 'At Sea' or 'From A to B') and for places that are sighted. Place Name can include details, such as 'Making passage to', and bearings.
The date should be transcribed. Date = 14/11/1942
The log keeper does not include a decimal point in the Barometer Height in Inches reading. Please transcribe this as written. The science team will process it correctly.
The Reading At Ther column is blank; consequently the Ther Attached column should be left blank. The temperature is used to correct the height of a mercury barometer, so this probably indicates an aneroid barometer.
If any of the wind directions or cloud codes are included in the interface drop-downs, you may choose those instead of what is written. 'West' may be entered 'W'. 'A St' may be entered 'A-Str'. If there is any doubt about which cloud type in the list to use, type exactly what the log keeper wrote.
There is no box on the Weather Observation tab corresponding to the Clouds/Moving From column on the log page, so any data in that column should be skipped.
The box on the Weather Observation tab says Clear Sky and the log says Clouds Amount. The number should be entered exactly as it is in the log. The science team will process it correctly.
There is a field on the page specifically for refueling. If the amount of fuel received is mentioned, the data should go on the Refueling tab.
It is strictly optional, but "Mustered crew on stations. no absentees" can be entered on the Events tab.

Continued in next post.

Title: Re: Casco -- Reference: Transcription Example and Log Description
Post by: Randi on 21 August 2013, 15:45:44

USS Casco

This post covers a log page from 14 November 1942.

(Go to Part 1 (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3923.msg71890#msg71890) Part 2 of 2)

Remarks Page:
Example: http://www.djcosmik.com/oldweather/casco_-_1942_nov_14_-_b1764_021.jpg

This page has been completely transcribed below to help new transcribers become familiar with both the writing and the language used. Nobody is expected to transcribe all the text! Following it are some comments about transcribing the page.

Quote

Sat. 14 Nov. 1942

0-4
Resting on keel in drydock #3 Puget Sound Navy Yard,
Bremerton, Washington, undergoing repairs. Receiving steam,
fresh and flushing water, electricity, air and telephone services
from the dock. Ships present as listed in the log of the
USS IDAHO (SOPA). Maintaining security patrols.
J S Barton

4-8
In drydock as before. 0740 Pursuant to commanding officer's
orders of November 14, 1942, the following men left the ship for
Antiaircraft Training Center, Pacific Beach, Washington,
Johnson, J.W. (TM 2/c) 393-54-86 USN (in charge), Barnett, J.H. (S 1/c)
654-18-15 USNR, Christenson, G.T. (S 1/c) 382-78-85 USN Person,
A.B. (S 2/c) 381-49-46 USNR
J S Barton

8-12
In drydock as before 0845 Mustered crew on stations.
No absentees. 1000 The captain held mast this date and awarded the
following punishments: Haines CB S 2/c offence: Absent over leave
for a period of about 2 hours 45 min Punishment, 30 hours
extra duty.
Neal Jacobus

12 To 16
In drydock as before.
S R Skerry

16 To 20
In drydock as before. 1715. In accordance with orders commanding officer dated 7 Nov, 1942, Having completed temporary
duty at Anti aircraft Training center, Pacific Beach, Washington,
the following men returned aboard for duty: Goodwin, R.H. S 2/c;
Snell, G.W. S 2/c; Houck, C.E. S 2/c; La Fountaine L.E. S 2/c.
S R Skerry

20 To 24
In drydock as before. 2022 Haines, C.B. S 2/c was
taken to yard dispensary and interned with chills and fever.
S R Skerry

W.E. Cleaves, W.P. Hodnett Jr
Comdr., U.S. Navy, Lt U.S.N., Navigator
Commanding

Notes for transcribers:

The date should be transcribed. Date = 14/11/1942.
With the exception of the date, entering any or all of the information on this page is optional, although including the people, ship and location mentioned below is encouraged. Note: When transcribing descriptions or context, please do not edit what is written in the log. It is OK to transcribe only a small segment of the text if the log entry is long. Do not enter a '?' unless that symbol actually appears in the logbook. The scientists know that we often have to guess. If a person, ship, or place is mentioned more than once, it is not necessary to transcribe all occurrences.
- People can be noted using the Mentions tab:
  NOTE: Only one person's name should be included in the Name field per mention.
  - Mentions | Person | Name = Johnson, J.W. (TM 2/c) 393-54-86 USN Context = 0740 Pursuant to commanding officer's orders of November 14, 1942, the following men left the ship for Antiaircraft Training Center, Pacific Beach, Washington, Johnson, J.W. (TM 2/c) 393-54-86 USN (in charge)
    (This format allows you to note that he was in charge of the party.)
    or
    Mentions | Person | Name = Johnson, J.W. (TM 2/c) 393-54-86 USN Context = 0740 Pursuant to commanding officer's orders of November 14, 1942, the following men left the ship for Antiaircraft Training Center, Pacific Beach, Washington
    or simply
    Mentions | Person | Name = Johnson, J.W. (TM 2/c) 393-54-86 USN Context = left the ship for Antiaircraft Training Center, Pacific Beach, Washington
  - Mentions | Person | Name = Barnett, J.H. (S 1/c) 654-18-15 USNR Context = 0740 Pursuant to commanding officer's orders of November 14, 1942, the following men left the ship for Antiaircraft Training Center, Pacific Beach, Washington
  - Mentions | Person | Name = Christenson, G.T. (S 1/c) 382-78-85 USN Context = 0740 Pursuant to commanding officer's orders of November 14, 1942, the following men left the ship for Antiaircraft Training Center, Pacific Beach, Washington
  - Mentions | Person | Name = Person, A.B. (S 2/c) 381-49-46 USNR Context = 0740 Pursuant to commanding officer's orders of November 14, 1942, the following men left the ship for Antiaircraft Training Center, Pacific Beach, Washington
  - Mentions | Person | Name = Haines CB S 2/c Context = The captain held mast this date and awarded the following punishments: Haines CB S 2/c offence: Absent over leave for a period of about 2 hours 45 min Punishment, 30 hours extra duty.
  - Mentions | Person | Name = Goodwin, R.H. S 2/c Context = 1715. In accordance with orders commanding officer dated 7 Nov, 1942, Having completed temporary duty at Anti aircraft Training center, Pacific Beach, Washington, the following men returned aboard for duty
    or simply
    Mentions | Person | Name = Goodwin, R.H. S 2/c Context = returned aboard for duty
  - Mentions | Person | Name = Snell, G.W. S 2/c Context = 1715. In accordance with orders commanding officer dated 7 Nov, 1942, Having completed temporary duty at Anti aircraft Training center, Pacific Beach, Washington, the following men returned aboard for duty
  - Mentions | Person | Name = Houck, C.E. S 2/c Context = 1715. In accordance with orders commanding officer dated 7 Nov, 1942, Having completed temporary duty at Anti aircraft Training center, Pacific Beach, Washington, the following men returned aboard for duty
  - Mentions | Person | Name = La Fountaine L.E. S 2/c Context = 1715. In accordance with orders commanding officer dated 7 Nov, 1942, Having completed temporary duty at Anti aircraft Training center, Pacific Beach, Washington, the following men returned aboard for duty
  - Mentions | Person | Name = Haines, C.B. S 2/c Context = 2022 Haines, C.B. S 2/c was taken to yard dispensary and interned with chills and fever.
- Ships can be noted using the Mentions tab:
  NOTE: Only one ship's name should be included in the Name field per mention.
  - Mentions | Ship | Name = USS IDAHO Context = Ships present as listed in the log of the USS IDAHO (SOPA).
- Places can be noted using the Location tab:
  - Location | Port Name | Name = drydock #3 Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington
- For background information for this page see: Other information and comments, below.
- If you cannot read a letter or letters, a number, or a whole word, please enter a tilde (~) or tildes to indicate this.
- All the full stops (periods) used in the log entries have been transcribed, but full stops in common abbreviations may be omitted.
- For more information on the last two points, see Type What You See - Yes, but ... (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3191.0) for more details.
Log keepers' quirks:
- Some official instructions (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/final/USRC%20Unalga/b0148_cr2_to_jpg/b0148_108_0.jpg) tell log keepers to use 'Ch' for Cumulo-Nimbus. However you may it written in other forms. Either use the drop-down ('Cum-Nim') or transcribe it as written.
Other information and comments:
- Commander, log keepers, and navigator (best guesses):
  - Commander: Cleaves, Willis Evert. Commander.
  - Barton, John S. D-VS, Ensign.
  - Jacobus, Neal. D-VG Lieutenant (Junior Grade)
    http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23186157.html
  - Skerry, Sutherland Raymond. D-VG Lieutenant (Junior Grade)
    http://www.usna.com/nc/history/classof1940/S.htm#15
  - Hodnett, William Philip. Lieutenant & Navigator
    http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/695.htm
- D-V(G) - Volunteer Reserve (General Service):
  Deck officers, commissioned and warrant, including boatswains, gunners, and torpedomen, qualified for general detail afloat or ashore.
  D-V(S) - Volunteer Reserve (Special Service):
  Deck officers, commissioned and warrant, including boatswains and ships clerks, qualified for specialist duties.
  S 1/c means seaman first class.
  TM 2/c probably means torpedoman's mate petty officer second class.
- Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians, by Brian Garfield (http://books.google.fr/books?id=9_bgaZyjnJkC&pg=PA174&lpg=PA174&dq=Willis+Everett+Cleaves&source=bl&ots=l1JbxnNBdC&sig=wLJvj2zL1jzJWzKObOQjHk341NE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KLYPUuWTM-qa0AXCmIHwCQ&ved=0CGIQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=casco&f=false) mentions Casco and includes a dramatic account of her being torpedoed on 30 August 1942 by a Japanese submarine while on duty in Alaska. The reason why Casco is 'now' in dry dock is to repair that damage.
- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puget_Sound_Naval_Shipyard_and_Intermediate_Maintenance_Facility)
- USS Idaho (BB-42) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Idaho_%28BB-42%29)
- Captain's/Admiral's Mast (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast_%28naval%29)
- SOPA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senior_Officer_Present_Afloat)

Title: Re: Casco -- Reference: Transcription Example and Log Description
Post by: Randi on 25 August 2013, 07:48:15

USS Casco

These posts cover a log page from 2 March 1946.

(Part 1 of 2 Go to Part 2 (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3923.msg72180#msg72180))

Comments on the log:

This differs from the standard log format in one significant detail and several minor details, but all the data is there and in the standard order so this log is not particularly difficult to transcribe.
- The significant difference is that there are two sets of water temperature readings: Water Main Injection and Sea Temp Surf. The science team has asked us to record both.
- Wind direction is specified using degrees rather than Compass Points (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=843.0) and wind force is in knots rather than on a scale of 0 to 12.
- The weather code is specified using an early version of the WMO Meteorological codes (http://badc.nerc.ac.uk/data/surface/code.html) rather than the Beaufort codes (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=161.0).
- Cloud forms are split into low, middle and high. We simply recombine them.
  The amount of clouds is shown rather than the amount of clear sky, but the number should be entered exactly as it is in the log.
- For more information on how to transcribe this data, see the Weather Page, below. In general, the rule is type what you see.
In this log the date is normally on both the weather and the remarks pages. For this reason, the 'Progress Bar', just above the image of the log page, will be out of sequence and should be ignored. Please transcribe the date each time it appears. The date in this example is in the same order as on the Date tab (day, month, year) following the Royal Navy format. If other pages use the US order (month, day, year), the date should still be entered on the Date tab in the order day, month, year.
Most of the log pages are typed.
US logbooks generally have a page of weather observations paired with a page of remarks for the same day. During WW2, the weather observations and the remarks were sometimes kept separately. Consequently, you may see a series of weather pages and then a series of remarks pages. For more details see http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3450.msg72052#msg72052.
On the RN ships we encouraged transcribers to record the names of people, places, and ships mentioned in the log. Now there are some new items that are of interest. The scientists would appreciate your recording sightings of sea ice on the Sea Ice tab and sightings of animals on the Animals tab.
NEW: Kevin Wood (a member of the OW science team) and Chris Davis (of the Solar Stormwatch project) are interested in reports of sunspots and aurorae because these are very informative about the activity of the Sun. Kevin and Chris would appreciate your recording these reports on the Events tab. For more information see Old Space Weather: sightings of aurorae and sunspots (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3670.0)
AND
Dr Ed Hawkins (Senior research scientist, NCAS-Climate) is interested in volcanic eruptions and would appreciate your recording these reports on the Events tab.

Links to helpful transcribing information:

Getting Your Sea Legs (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=4.0)
- Guides for US logs: drawing entry boxes, transcribing and editing (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3078.0)
- Ask for expert advice (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3944.0)
- Got a question? Old hands are here to help (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3945.0)
Type What You See - Yes, but ... (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3191.0)
HELPFUL REFERENCE POSTS (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3301.0)
What Does THAT mean? (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=9.0)
Geographical Help (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=24.0)
(Place names (including lighthouses) from the logs are available in the form of alphabetical lists and Google Earth maps. In addition, there are links to old and new maps and other place name resources. You can also ask for help and contribute your own research.)
Coast Survey's Historical Map & Chart Collection:
- Philippine Islands Central Part, 1938 (http://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/preview/image/4706-3-1938)
- Philippine Islands, Southeastern Part, 1948 (http://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/preview/image/4708-8-1948)
- Philippine Islands Southwestern Part, 1939 (http://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/preview/image/4707-10-1939)
- Southern Part of Samar, 1950 (http://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/preview/image/4423-9-1950)
- Bold Point to Malanao Island, 1950 - including Puerto Princesa (http://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/preview/image/4321-11-1950)
Handwriting Help (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=8.0)
Technical Support (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?board=14.0)
Registers of the Commissioned Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps 1775-1970 (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AMH/USN/Naval_Registers/)
(This is generally an excellent source. Unfortunately, it is not very helpful for the time of this example (1946) because most of Casco's officers were in the reserves and the lists for the reserves cover only 1943 and 1944. Caution: the search function does not always find all occurrences.)
Ranks and Rates of the U.S. Navy (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref/Ranks&Rates/index.html)
U.S. Navy Abbreviations of World War II (http://www.history.navy.mil/books/opnav20-p1000/index.html)

Weather Page:
Example: http://www.djcosmik.com/oldweather/casco_-_1946_mar_2_-_b1767_146.jpg

The following quote shows the data that should be transcribed from the weather page. There are some more detailed explanations after the quote.
Please enter the sets of weather observations for every row that has been recorded. Rows with no weather data should be omitted. There are usually 24 sets while the ship is at sea and six or seven while the ship is in port. On rare occasions there are more than 24.
Not all of the columns in the "weather table" are transcribed. Some of the data relates only to the ship and some weather details, such as the direction the clouds are moving from and visibility, are not transcribed. So, before clicking OK, check that your data is in the correct fields. Please transcribe all the weather data in those columns that have a corresponding field on the entry box (see 'Weather Observation' here (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3078.msg54137#msg54137) under 'What to enter').
You should not add to what is in the log or make "corrections" except in very special circumstances (see Type What You See - Yes, but ... (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3191.0)). If you are having trouble reading something or are unsure what to do, you can ask questions on the forum in Casco (Aleutian Campaign) -- Discussion: Questions and Comments (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=4190.0) and Casco (Distant Seas) -- Discussion: Questions and Comments (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3926.0). Remember that it is more important to be accurate than to be fast.

Quote

Location | Place Name | Name = Puerto Princesa, P.I, to Guiuan, Samar, P.I. Date = 02/03/1946

Hour | Wind Dir | Force | Bar Height | Ther Attached | Dry| Wet | Water | Weather Code | Cloud Code | Clear Sky |
1 065 6 29.95 82 82 82 84 1 Cu As 3
2 065 9 29.95 82 82 82 84 1 Cu As 3
3 065 10 29.94 82 82 82 84 1 Cu As 3
4 065 25 29.94 82 82 82 84 1 Cu As 3
5 065 25 29.95 81 81 81 84 1 Cu As 1
6 065 22 29.97 81 81 82 84 1 Cu As 4
7 065 27 29.98 92 86 82 84 2 Cu As 5
8 065 23 30.01 85 85 84 84 2 Cu As 5
9 065 20 30.02 86 86 85 84 2 Cu As 7
10 065 20 30.01 84 85 84 84 2 Cu As 8
11 065 20 29.98 86 86 84 84 3 Cu As 10
12 065 20 29.96 84 85 78 84 3 Cu As 10

13 185 10 29.94 77 79 77 84 60 10
14 185 15 29.92 76 77 76 84 60 10
15 185 15 29.92 75 76 75 84 60 10
16 070 20 29.94 76 76 75 84 60 10
17 070 15 29.94 76 76 75 50 10
18 180 10 29.95 79 79 78 3 Cu Sc 10
19 180 10 29.97 79 78 77 3 Cu Sc 10
20 180 4 29.98 78 81 78 3 Cu Sc 10
21 180 3 29.98 78 80 78 3 Cu Sc 10
22 180 5 29.99 77 78 76 3 Cu Sc 10
23 180 4 30.00 77 77 75 3 Cu Sc 10
24 180 4 30.00 77 77 75 3 Cu Sc 10

Location | Observed | Latitude = 9 22 N | Longitude = 124 20 F
Location | Observed | Latitude = 9 51 N | Longitude = 125 12 E

Hour | Wind Dir | Force | Bar Height | Ther Attached | Dry| Wet | Water | Weather Code | Cloud Code | Clear Sky |
1 84
2 84
3 84
4 84
5 84
6 84
7 84
8 84
9 84
10 84
11 84
12 84

13 84
14 84
15 84

According to Philip Brohan, the head of our science team:
This example is not the best weather: at least they are in the tropics so its warm, but it's very humid (wet bulb temperature the same as dry bulb temperature). At 13:00 there is a marked change - it starts raining (present weather codes 50 and 60 are drizzle and rain) and the wind switches to the south - but they will have been expecting this if they were watching the barometer (pressure starts falling at 11:00).

Notes for transcribers:

Port Name should be used when the ship has stopped somewhere. Only the name should be included. Place Name should be used when the ship is in transit (e.g., 'At Sea' or 'From A to B') and for places that are sighted. Place Name can include details, such as 'Making passage to', and bearings.
The date should be transcribed. Date = 02/03/1946
Two water temperatures, Water Main Injection and Sea Temp Surf, are recorded. The science team has asked us to record both.
Transcribe the weather data in the table at the top of the log page in the usual way, entering the Water Main Injection values in the Water field. Then transcribe the Hour and Sea Temp Surf values from the table at the bottom left of the log page, entering the Sea Temp Surf values in the Water field (the other sea data in the second table should be ignored).
Quote from: philip.brohan
Please encourage people to do both Water Main Injection and Sea Temp Surf as two separate entries.

The traditional way to measure sea temperature is to throw a bucket over the side to get some sea and stick a thermometer in the bucketful. Round about the middle of the twentieth century mariners mostly stopped doing this and just recorded the temperature of the sea-water they were pumping into the engine room for cooling instead. These two measurement methods don't give quite the same temperature and the difference is a major headache for estimates of global warming - it's hard to tell whether temperature changes seen in this period are real changes in the temperature of the sea-surface, or just artifacts of ships changing their measurement technique.
If you are really curious see http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1520-0450%281963%29002%3C0417%3AASOTQO%3E2.0.CO%3B2.
As noted above, the weather code is specified using an early version of the WMO Meteorological codes (http://badc.nerc.ac.uk/data/surface/code.html). If you are curious about the codes in use at that time, see these instructions for converting logs to punched cards (http://icoads.noaa.gov/reclaim/pdf/dck195.pdf). This reference is provided ONLY for background information. The Weather by Symbols should be transcribed exactly as it is written.
Cloud forms are split into low, middle and high. Just transcribe them all with a space between each code. In this case it is probably better not to use the interface drop-downs; type exactly what the log keeper wrote. According to the science team, the type of cloud tells us the height, so the columns are redundant.
There are no boxes on the Weather Observation tab corresponding to the Clouds/Ceiling or Clouds/Moving From columns on the log page, so any data in these columns should be skipped.
The box on the Weather Observation tab says Clear Sky and the log says Total Amount of Sky Covered. The number should be entered exactly as it is in the log. The science team will process it correctly.
Since the log doesn't say whether the location is observed or dead reckoning, we have had to make our best guess. Our scientists say not to worry about making an incorrect guess.
There is no way to transcribe the degree symbol and there is no need to transcribe the minute and second symbols. The numbers can be separated with spaces (9 22 N) or dashes (9-22 N)
It is safe to assume that the log keeper meant 124 20 E rather than 124 20 F for the 0800 longitude. Nonetheless, the longitude should be transcribed as written: 124 20 F.
For more information on transcribing locations see Type What You See - Yes, but ... (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3191.msg51629#msg51629)
There is a field on the page specifically for refueling. If the amount of fuel received is mentioned, the data should go on the Refueling tab.

Continued in next post.

Title: Re: Casco -- Reference: Transcription Example and Log Description
Post by: Randi on 25 August 2013, 11:53:41

USS Casco

These posts cover a log page from 2 March 1946.

(Go to Part 1 (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3923.msg72176#msg72176) Part 2 of 2)

Remarks Page:
Example: http://www.djcosmik.com/oldweather/casco_-_1946_mar_2_-_b1767_147.jpg

This page has been completely transcribed below to help new transcribers become familiar with both the writing and the language used. Nobody is expected to transcribe all the text! Following it are some comments about transcribing the page.

Quote

Saturday 2 March, 1946

0 to 4

Steaming singly on course 100 degrees T & pgc, 105.5 pstgc, 093.5 psc standard speed 15.5 knots (218 rpm)
enroute from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, P.I. to Samar, Philippine Islands in obedience to Commander
Aircraft Philippine Sea Frontier despatch 270751 of February 1946, maintaining Sonar search beam to
to beam and SL radar search through 360 degrees. 0130 sighted Apo Island light bearing 070 degrees T, distance 20
miles. 0156 changed course to 083 degrees T & pgc, 086.5 degrees pstgc, 070.2 degrees psc. 0200 degaussing gear put in
operation. 0326 passed Apo Island light abeam to port , distance 5 miles. 0331 sighted Silino
Island light bearing 148 degrees T, distance 11 miles. 0353 passed Silino Island light abeam to starboard,
distance 10 miles.
W.F. CLEARY
Lt.(jg) U.S.N.R.

4 to 8

Steaming as before. 0451 changed course to 063 degrees T & pgc, 065 degrees pstgc, 047.2 degrees psc. 0557 secured SL
radar and sonar gear. 0733 changed speed and standard speed to 16 knots (228 rpm). 0734 secured
degaussing gear.
J.T. PERCY
Lt.(jg) U.S.N.R.

8 to 12

Steaming as before. 0830 made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples, conditions
normal. 0830 changed speed and standard speed 16.5 knots (236 rpm). 0920 mustered crew on
stations. No absentees.

L.C. TEMPLETON
Ch. Bos'n U.S.N.

12 to 16

Steaming as before. 1232 changed course to 009 degrees T & pgc, 002.2 degrees psc and 005.5 degrees pstgc. 1310
degaussing gear in operation. 1405 sighted Hibuson Island bearing 112 degrees T, distance 8 miles. 1422
changed course to 005 degrees T & pgc, 358.5 degrees psc and 002.5 degrees pstgc. 1425 gun crews of port 20mm and 40mm
manned their guns for firing exercise. 1437 commenced firing exercises. 1452 commenced radar
search 360 degrees. 1453 secured from firing exercises having expended 40 rounds of 40mm ammunition and
360 rounds of 20mm ammunition. 1509 changed course to 026 degrees T & pgc, 013.5 degrees psc and 026 degrees pstgc. 1518
changed course to 004 degrees T & pgc, 011.5 degrees psc and 023 degrees pstgc. 1528 secured radar search. 1530 sighted
Homonhon Island bearing 035 degrees T, distance 11 miles.

A.M. RYAN
Ensign U.S.N.R.

16 to 20

Steaming as before. 1610 sighted Manicani Island bearing 025 degrees T, distance 13 miles. 1616 passed
Homonhon Island abeam to starboard, distance 7 miles. 1617 standing into Leyte Gulf on various
courses and at various speeds conforming to the channel proceeding to anchorage, captain at the conn,
navigator on the bridge. 1707 anchored in berth Baker 5, Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands in 13
fathoms of water with 60 fathoms of chain to the port anchor on the following anchorage bearings:
Right Tangent of dock, Manicani Island 026 degrees T; Red can buoy 140 degrees T. 1708 secured degaussing gear.
W.F. CLEARY
Lt.(jg) U.S.N.R.

20 to 24

Anchored as before.
W.F. CLEARY
Lt.(jg) U.S.N.R.

E. K. SHANAHAN, Commander U.S.N Commanding J. F. ROOHAN, Lieut., (D), U.S.N.R. Navigator

Notes for transcribers:

The date should be transcribed. Date = 02/03/1946.
With the exception of the date, entering any or all of the information on this page is optional, although including the locations mentioned below is encouraged. Note: When transcribing descriptions or context, please do not edit what is written in the log. It is OK to transcribe only a small segment of the text if the log entry is long. Do not enter a '?' unless that symbol actually appears in the logbook. The scientists know that we often have to guess.
- Places can be noted using the Location tab:
  NOTE: If a place is mentioned more than once, it is not necessary to transcribe all occurrences.
  - Location | Place Name | Name = 0130 sighted Apo Island light bearing 070 degrees T, distance 20 miles
  - Location | Place Name | Name = 0331 sighted Silino Island light bearing 148 degrees T, distance 11 miles
  - Location | Place Name | Name = 1405 sighted Hibuson Island bearing 112 degrees T, distance 8 miles
  - Location | Place Name | Name = 1530 sighted Homonhon Island bearing 035 degrees T, distance 11 miles
  - Location | Place Name | Name = 1610 sighted Manicani Island bearing 025 degrees T, distance 13 miles
  - Location | Port Name | Name = berth Baker 5, Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands
    Port Name should be used since they are anchored. No additional data should be included.
For background information for this page see: Other information and comments, below.
Unfortunately, there is no way to enter the degree symbol used when noting courses and bearings. "025^oT" can be transcribed as "025 T" or "025 degrees T". The longer version was used here for clarity, but is not required.
All the full stops (periods) used in the log entries have been transcribed, but full stops in common abbreviations may be omitted (e.g., USN).

Log keepers' quirks:

Some official instructions (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/final/USRC%20Unalga/b0148_cr2_to_jpg/b0148_108_0.jpg) tell log keepers to use 'Ch' for Cumulo-Nimbus. However you may it written in other forms. Either use the drop-down ('Cum-Nim') or transcribe it as written.

Other information and comments:

Commander, log keepers, and navigator (best guesses):
- Commander: Shanahan, Edward Kim. Commander.
- Cleary, W.F. Lieutenant (jg) U.S.N.R.
- Percy, J.T. Lieutenant (jg) U.S.N.R.
- Ryan, A.M. Ensign U.S.N.R.
- Templeton, Louis Clair. Chief Boatswain U.S.N.
- Roohan, J.F. Lieutenant (D) U.S.N.R. & Navigator

Places mentioned:

Country	Name	Latitude	Longitude	Notes
Philippines	Apo Island (http://mapcarta.com/Apo_Island)	9.08	123.27	Apo Island Lighthouses (http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/phls.htm)
Philippines	Guiuan (http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=-3346872&fid=4959&c=philippines)	11.03	125.72
Philippines	Hibuson Island (http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=-3347426&fid=4988&c=philippines)	10.45	125.49
Philippines	Homonhon Island (http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=-3347758&fid=4987&c=philippines)	10.74	125.72	Suluan Island Lighthouse (http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/phle.htm)
Philippines	Leyte Gulf (http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=-3353795&fid=4978&c=philippines)	10.83	125.42
Philippines	Manicani Island (http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=-3360027&fid=4996&c=philippines)	10.99	125.64
Philippines	Puerto Princesa (http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=-3371146&fid=4959&c=philippines)	9.74	118.74
Philippines	Puerto Princesa Bay (http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=9174642&fid=4959&c=philippines)	9.73	118.72
Philippines	Silino Island (http://mapcarta.com/15718626)	8.85	123.42	Silino Island Lighthouse (http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/phlm.htm)

Degaussing ships (http://www.eaglespeak.us/2007/11/sunday-ship-history-degaussing-ships.html)
Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples, conditions normal. - Brave Ship, Brave Men, by Arnold S. Lott (http://books.google.fr/books?id=NI_crpXvFnoC&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq=Made+daily+inspection+magazines+smokeless+powder+samples&source=bl&ots=bRuhEVyHO5&sig=-1sASfFmfwoiRVHgBRKN7jpAcco&hl=en&sa=X&ei=IAEaUuXDD4mM4ATu34GwBw&ved=0CC4Q6AEwATgU#v=onepage&q=Made%20daily%20inspection%20magazines%20smokeless%20powder%20samples&f=false)
and
Smokeless powder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokeless_powder)
Abbreviations used in specifying the course (to the best of our knowledge):
T = true (corrected for magnetic variation and deviation OR gyro error)
PSC = per standard compass (magnetic, uncorrected usually)
PGC = per gyro compass (uncorrected for gyro error)
PSTGC = unfamiliar, probably gyro repeater or secondary (standby) gyro, uncorrected for error. Anyway, a second gyro.

Hour \|	Wind Dir \|	Force \|	Bar Height \|	Ther Attached \|	Dry\|	Wet \|	Water \|	Weather Code \|	Cloud Code \|	Clear Sky \|
1	S	3	2978		51	51		OR	A-Str	10
2	S	3	2971		51	51		OR	A-Str	10
3	S	3	2971		51	51		OR	A-Str	10
4	S	5	2971		51	51		OR	A-Str	10
5	S	3	2971		51	51		OR	A-Str	10
6	S	3	2968		50	50		OR	A-Str	10
7	S	3	2965		49	49		OR	A-Str	10
8	S	3	2962		48	48		OR	A-Str	10
9	S	1	2956		49	48		OR	Str-Nim	10
10	S	1	2952		48	48		OR	Str-Nim	10
11	S	2	2948		46	46		OR	Str-Nim	10
12	S	2	2942		47	47		OR	Str-Nim	10

Old Weather Forum

Old Weather: Classic => The Dockyard => Topic started by: Randi on 21 August 2013, 11:54:00