ENGINEERS
LAMENT
By Al Schreiber
Written
while serving aboard the Coast Guard manned
U.S.S.
RICKETTS (DE 254) 1943 –- 1946
We never get to see a port as we enter or leave, the engines we
must tend.
Sealed down below in the enginerooms to make sure they all go.
We never get to fire the guns,or drop the depth charges,but replace the
shattered lights, and contain the flying debris.
When the ammo flies fast and furious, we're called to bring it from magazine to
deck.
If hit we're ready to quench the fires,plug the holes,pump the water,but never
see how we were struck.
When the fresh water runs low, we are accused of using to excess. But then who
makes it but us.
We're called "snipes" and "black gang", but we are a tough
lot. We can stand the hours sealed below.
Secure in the knowledge that the engines will run, the electricity will flow,
and have the tenacity to keep her afloat.
We are the marine engineers, proud to say, "we brought her into port that
we never see, to go out and fight another day"..