a" SHOOT THE MOON"

Dozerdust, Volume 1, Issue 9, 7 August 1943, Page 5

a" SHOOT THE MOON"

Most of us may not know that tho Wharf Operating Coy. consists of three groups of specialists who, in their om line can hold their jobs down with the best. Tho Winchmen who havo a responsible job in civil life have a equally responsible, and perhaps more dangerous ono in •ar time; the Hatchnen upon whoso skill in judgement the working parties on tho wharf dopon# jas tho cargo Swings, up from below, and, finally, the Tallymen who havo tho chocking of tho cargo. Normally, wharf work is never a 8 safe 8 job oven with all tho modern equipment of unloading? the heavy,bulky cargo whic§ covers products from all types of factories and industries does not make for easy handling* How much more difficult tho Wharf Operating Coy* must find tho undertake in£ wo must leave tine to reveal, d. neo the nature of tho 8 cargo 8 handled is 8 security *

Unloading is sonothing that has to be worked out on tho spot. With a wharf we usually associate overhead cranes, vessels berthed lastly along tho wharfs, tro~ Ileys, and largo storehouses* But not so hero. ¥ho cargo is transferred straight from ths holds to tho , waiting lorries below* Watching tho leaded slings,swing -ing up from bolow after the cry 8 Shoot Tho Moon f and then hovering in mid air for a few seconds lends a touch of fantasy to tho scons* Tho snail jetty* it is no more, tho bright lights fren tho ship, the screeches from the winchos, tho hissing of tho escaping steam, the shadowy figures of tho mon and the Pacific noon overhead reminds ono of pirates and smugglers of long ago* '

Daylight, it is needless to say* gives a mere sobdr picture © Tho work goes on just the sane— four shifts of six hours each? under the supervision of a Sgt* and officer, During th© day Eddie Hoald and Ton O’Donnell aro conspicuous. •••as cooks should be, it is said. Moro conspicuous is tho famous ©von which looks like a dross between a Heath Ribinson Nightmare end the Flying Scotchman* In this all the cocking is dono* and tho water boiled*•••and where Eddie lost his Inntern* Water has to bo carried two Biles for cooking purposes* The local water is liable’ to leave you more dirty after tho wash then before* But even tho cleanest water and ths best soap aro useless against tho reddish earth once it Is churned fate mud after a heavy shower* The dark stain it loaves la a eouvenior you carry until the trousers r. coat la discarded*

the camp is situated on what mist be one of tho loveliest spots on ths Island* Built on the top of a hill before which stretches the great blue Pacific* while below is the snail jetty and around aro the Naiouli trees which form a background for a picture one doos not easily forget* The impression is enhanced by tho neat paths around the esmp* <

Capt* F* J* Clark O.C. keeps his eye- on details which to tho casual observer nay appear trivial* but which aro appreciated by those who knew wharf igork* Second in charge la 2 Aleut* B* Aright who doos not miss very much that gooson*

Thoro is tho story of Sgt* N. Stanley who is given to sloop walking and ono night removed tho commutator from a jeep; Sgt* J. Howitt of tho Oven Pena; Sgt* Gilooly end Cpl* lyons who know something of a fishing trip and Sgt* 8 Wally 8 Hobson -in the HQ Orderly Roon who keeps a chock oh what Is required when the boys are

out on a job* There arc many stories space doos not permit us to print and nay conn—mits wo would like to make* but tho note on which wo finish is the unity end good fooling that makes tho Wharf Operating Coy* and effective and vital part of our Amy*