Remembering Old Newburyport
Do you know about The Fifth Fleet of the United States Navy? I do, and here's how. There is an association between Newburyport and The Fifth Fleet. In our government's and Navy's wisdom there is a program to divide our naval forces into fleets such as, Fleet 1, Fleet 2, and so on. The reason being, there was expansion all over the world, and it was necessary for our navies to expand with them in order to protect our people and our interests wherever necessary.
Many years before World War II, the Navy had a fleet assigned to the Atlantic Ocean, called the Scouting Fleet. There was saber rattling in the Pacific Ocean after WWI and throughout the 1920s and early 1930s. And so, in 1932 the fleet was ordered to go into the Pacific to help bolster our Navy's presence there. About a year before leaving, the Scouting Fleet was ordered to stop at Newburyport.
I had first heard about this from a teacher, and I was wide-eyed and all ears listening to an interesting thing happening, not knowing that I would actually witness a fleet coming to a home port, Newburyport, at a later date. It became common notice that Scouting Fleet would be stationed out beyond the mouth of the mighty Merrimack River because of the sandbar, they were unable to come in closer.
I was almost 12 years old; it was in the early 1930s. It was announced that the people of Newburyport had the extended privilege to come and visit the ships in person on a daily shuttle which was on the long boats. Long boats would come to McKay's Wharf (behind the Custom House) bringing sailors on leave to Newburyport, and long boats provided shuttles for Newburyport residents, who wanted to go out and visit the fleet. The shuttles ran approximately two hours each way. I, humbly, waited with the crowd, hoping to be accepted and go. The boatswain offered me to get on the boat and go with the others. I quickly agreed.
As our long boat shuttle was approaching the fleet, it was a magnificent sight to behold. It was awesome. It was friendly, yet frightening. I had mixed emotions as we approached the fleet. We got off the long boat, climbed up the gang plank and walked to the bow of the ship, where a tripod telescope was set up for anyone's pleasure. I stepped up and looked through it. I could see the shores of Newburyport. I tried to find my house on Unicorn Street but could not quite see it. But, the view was magnificent!
They told us if we'd arrived a little earlier, anyone could dine with them. The sailors that went back on the shuttle along with us looked different to me. Later, I found out they were Philippine people, who had joined the Navy and were the cooks and bakers. I questioned what the red, crescent half moon on their sleeve represented. I learned it was to distinguish them as cooks and bakers. I learned so many interesting things. When we arrived back to McKay's Wharf, another group was waiting to go on the shuttle for free. I watched the sailors, who carried a small white ditty bag, and they went straight to Market Square, rented a room and shopped in their "home" port.
The Navy created the Fifth Fleet during World War II, homeported in the Philippines. The Scouting Fleet formed part of that fleet.
As a child in the Boy Scouts, there were two people from Newburyport who had retired after 20 years in the fleet. One was Chris the Sailor, who lived with his aged mother in the rear of Market Street. The other was Sailor Jack, who worked as a custodian and was assigned to City Hall.
I had the opportunity to work with Sailor Jack. We would clean up after meetings and events held in the City Hall. He was a spic-and-span Navy man, who'd been well-trained in the Navy. He and I would wash and wax City Hall floors, clean up and take out rubbish. Sailor Jack and I worked from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon keeping the City Hall spic-and-span, just like a Navy man. He was paid a few dollars per month to augment his navy pension. He did a fine job. Chris the Sailor would visit and speak at Boy Scout Troop #4 meetings. He told the Boy Scouts stories about the fleet. Chris worked on the beautiful estate owned by an elderly woman at the corner of Winter Street and High Street (directly across from Lynch Pharmacy). He maintained the landscape and the many fruit trees in the then back yard. He worked to augment his $20 dollar per month pension. Both men inspired our Boy Scout Troop #4, whose meetings were held at the Green Street Baptist church.
The fleet's visit is etched in my mind as though it happened yesterday. It was a big event of my childhood. The fleet could be seen from the Isles of Shoal and Portsmouth, from Cape Ann and Gloucester, as well as Newburyport in the center.
John Lagoulis of Salisbury is a graduate of NHS Class of 1938. He is a nonagenarian and enjoys sharing his various recollections of life in Newburyport during the early 1900's.
