CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS
NAVY YARD BROADCAST FROM PEARL HARBOR: Part 2
This is the second of four parts of a radio broadcast aired from Pearl Harbor, aired March 18, 1942. The first part, an interview with Albert Briskay, a civilian worker dealing with submarine repair, was posted on December 7, 2009 (Pearl Harbor: A 1942 Radio Broadcast Script ). The third part will be posted December 7, 2010, and the final part will be posted March 18, 2011.
To view photo illustration,click on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolyncholland/3899210556/in/photostream/
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NAVY YARD BROADCAST
KGU to NBC
1100-1115 - Wednesday, March 18, 1942
WAHL: Remember Pearl Harbor? This broadcast comes to you from the pulsating heart of that gigantic mid-Pacific naval base, 2200 miles west and south of San Francisco. Until three months ago, Pearl Harbor was just a name! Today it is a legend…..the place where our war began. Here are all the complex activities that comprise a naval base.
And there are men – thousands of them – civilian workers- who ready the ships for new jobs at sea when they come in from scouring the seventy million square miles of this Pacific battle front. For every man at sea there must be many ashore – just as every plane in the air needs ground crews to service it.
Today we are speaking to you from one of Pearl Harbor’s biggest servicing centers – from the edge of one of the great drydocks. Listen a minute to the sound and the fury of Pearl Harbor at work!
SOUND UP AND HOLD FIVE TO TEN SECONDS
WAHL: This is Jim Wahl, speaking for KGU and the National Broadcasting Company. Today we’re going to try and give you a brief picture of some of the men at Pearl Harbor and of the jobs they do. We’re fortunate in having as our guide Captain Charles D. Swain, production officer of this Navy Yard. Captain, I’m a Grade A landlubber myself and so are most of our listeners – so I’d like to ask you to tell us, if you will…..what’s the real strategic importance of this base to our country?
SWAIN: I’m no authority on this, Jim. I’m not much of an historian but everyone knows what Pearl Harbor is. As far back as 1873, it was reported to Washington that the only harbor in Hawaii which could serve in time of war was a place on the Pearl River, about 10 miles west of Honolulu. It was recommended that the site be acquired for location of a naval depot of supplies and equipment in this part of the Pacific.
WAHL: Did Washington accept this suggestion?
SWAIN: Yes, but we weren’t the only ones who had seen the advantage of Pearl Harbor. The Japanese, among others, had already surveyed it, recognizing it as the key to all trans-Pacific routes.
WAHL: Jap competition even that far back, eh?
SWAIN: Yes, but that time we beat them to the punch…..persuaded the Hawaiian monarchy to cede Pearl Harbor to us! Since then it has been built into a big place as you can see for yourself. There are about a thousand acres to the reservation now.
WAHL: Well, since we can’t cover all thousand acres, I’ll compromise for interviews with a few of your men. Fair enough?
SWAIN: Absolutely! Here comes a fellow now who’s typical of the men in this yard. In the last war he served on one of our submarines, and he’s been working with submarines ever since.
WAHL: I’d like to meet him.
SWAIN: He came here not long ago from the Portsmouth Navy Yard in New Hampshire. Name’s Albert Briskay….(to read this part of the interview, click on: Pearl Harbor: A 1942 Radio Broadcast Script )
SWAIN: Now, if you’re looking for a real old timer, I’ve got a man here who really fills the bill. Meet Mr. William D. Graves.
WAHL: Mr. Graves, it’s a pleasure. How old are you, sir?
GRAVES: I’m 56 years young.
WAHL: And I like the way you put it! So you’re an old timer—a kamaaina as we say out here.
GRAVES: Yes, my wife and I came to Hawaii from Norfolk, Virginia, in 1921…..and we expect to be here long after the Japs have been licked!
WAHL: You’re going to have a lot of company, Mr. Graves. Just what is your set-up in this gigantic war base?
GRAVES: I’m in charge of all machinery, and supervise the repair, installation and manufacture of machine parts.
WAHL: I think it will interest our listeners to now that most people who have been in the islands over a period of years wear feather leis on hatbands. Do you, Mr. Graves?
GRAVES: No, and I don’t wear my shirt-tail outside either.
WAHL: (laughing) They say Bing Crosby fell for this custom when he vacationed here about a week, and hasn’t stuck his shirt-tail in yet.
GRAVES: With his money (CLEARS THROAT) and his voice, I guess he can wear it any way he wants to.
WAHL: Speaking of Crosby and the lighter side of life, what do you do to amuse yourself when you’re off the job? Any hobbies?
GRAVES: No time for hobbies these days—unless you count a little light reading.
WAHL: Light reading, eh? Ever read Mein Kampff?
GRAVES: No, and I wouldn’t believe it if I did!
WAHL: That’s the spirit…..and, our thanks to you, Mr. Graves, for taking time out from your job here at Pearl Harbor for a few words over the air.
Revisit this site on December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, to read the third part of this radio script.
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ADDITIONAL READING:
Pearl Harbor: A 1942 Radio Broadcast Script
Laurel Mountain Borough, Pennsylvania: Quaint
Earthquakes in (Southwestern) Pennsylvania
