USS PICKING WORLD WAR II LOG

September 1. 1945                        Zone description (+) 7

PICKING undergoing routine overhaul at MARE ISLAND NAVY YARD, MARE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA. At present, moored to the Dolphins at the Radar Calibration Range, M.I., for radar calibration check. Returned into the yard in the afternoon, moored alongside the dock, and continued with overhaul.

 

September 2 - 3, 1945                Zone description (+) 7

Continued overhaul.

 

September 4, 1945                    Zone description (+j~

Underway at 0600 to conduct full power trails at sea. These were delayed until 1130 due to a heavy fog outside the Farallon Islands. Speed was slowly built up to 34 knots, and maintained for four hours. All circuits and equipment were tested during the day and a deficiency list made up. The machine gun batteries were test fired on clear bearings when the fog lifted. An increase in fog density later in the afternoon prevented safe firing of the 5” battery. The depth charge battery was test fired. The full power trails were successful; the only big disappointment was the inability to complete the structural firing test due to the low visibility. Returned to the navy yard in a heavy fog and moored at 2300.

Positions:

             0800 - Latitude - 37°-49’ N;  Longitude  - 122°-26’ E.

             1200 - Latitude - 37°-4l’ N;  Longitude  - l24°-27’ E.

             2000 - Latitude - 37°-46’ N;  Longitude  - l22°-39’ E.

 

September 5 - 6, 1945                Zone description (+) 7

Completed overhaul, correcting deficiencies found during the post repair trails on the 4th.

 

September 7, 1945                    Zone description (+) 7

Underway at 1000 in accordance with CWSF movement order no. 374-45-11, enroute to SAN DIEGO, for refresher training.

Positions:

             0800 - Latitude - 37°-55’ N; Longitude - 122°-26’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 37°-26’ N; Longitude - l22°-20’ E.

2000 - Latitude - 35°-45’ N; Longitude - l2l°-59’ E.

 

September 8, 1945                    Zone description (+) 7

Enroute to SAN DIEGO, at S.O.A. 16 knots, passing south of the CHANNEL ISLANDS. Entered SAN DIEGO, at 1600 and moored alongside the U.S.S. WICKES in North San Diego Bay.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - 32°-48’ N; Longitude - 118°-SO’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 32°-36’ N; Longitude - 118°-l5’ E.

2000 - Latitude - 32°-45’ N; Longitude - 117°-13’ E.

 

September 9, 1945                    Zone description (+) 7

In the morning, an inspection party from the Underway Training Unit came aboard for an arrival personnel and material inspection.

 

September 10, 1945                   Zone description (+) 7

Underway at 0620, for A/S training area 80 miles southwest of SAN DIEGO. Rendezvoused there with the minesweeper GAVIA, and the submarine SPOT. The sub submerged and coordinated depth charge attacks were made on her by the GAVIA and PICKING. The GAVIA returned to port at 1600; the SPOT and PICKING remained in the area over night.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - 32°-39’ N; Longitude - 117°-14’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 32°-2l’ N; Longitude - 117°-26’ E.

2000 - Latitude - 31°-29’ N; Longitude - 118°-06’ E.

 

September 11, 1945                   Zone description (+) 7

Resumed A/S drills with SPOT in the morning. All ship’s officers were given experience at conning during these runs. The GAVIA came out and relieved the PICKING at 1330. Returned to port and moored in South San Diego Bay at 1600.

Positions:

              0800 - Latitude - 37°-35’ N;  Longitude - 118°-17’ E.

              1200 - Latitude - 3l°-35’ N;  Longitude - 118°-08’ E.

              2000 - Latitude - 32°-41’ N;  Longitude - 117°-09’ E.

 

September 12, 1945                   Zone description (+) 7

Made practice torpedo runs with the ZELLARS in a training area 25 miles west of SAN DIEGO. A blimp was on hand to photograph the runs and assist in retrieving torpedoes. Each ship made three runs. Exercises were completed at 1430. Returned to port and moored in South San Diego Bay.

Positions:

              0800 - Latitude - 32°-38’ N;  Longitude - 117°-l2’  E.

              1200 - Latitude - 32°-32’ N;  Longitude - 117°-33’  E.

              2000 - Latitude - 32°-41’ N;  Longitude - 117°-09’  E.

 

September 13, 1945                   Zone description (+) 7

At sea for gunnery exercises, operating with a YMS with target in tow. Fired radar calibration firing during the morning at 0600 and 10,000 and 15,000 yards. Ran a train check during the afternoon and night spotting and illumination exercises from 2015 till 2105. Remained in the operating area during the night.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - 32°-11’ N; Longitude - ll7°-30’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 32°-25’ N; Longitude - 117°-56’ E.

2000 - Latitude - 32°-30’ N; Longitude - ll7°-53’ E.

 

September 14, 1945                   Zone description (+) 7

During morning fired long range battle practice and radar spotting practice. A plane was on station at 1300 for AA firing on a sleeve. Completed gunnery exercises at 1520 and proceeded to SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND for night shore bombardment practice. This latter exercise was cancelled and a course was set for SAN DIEGO, to arrive there the following morning.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - 32°-27’ N; Longitude - 1l7°-47’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 32°-35’ N; Longitude - 117°-52’ E.

2000 - Latitude - 32~~48’ N; Longitude - 1l8°-19’ E.

 

September 15, 1945                   Zone description (+) 7

Entered port at 0600 and moored in a destroyer nest, San Diego Bay.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - 32°-42’ N; Longitude - 117°-10’ E.

 

September 16 - 19, 1945              Zone description (+) 7

Remained in harbor at SAN DIEGO. The PICKING is to be reduced to an inactive status; whether or not she is to be de-commissioned is not known.

 

September 20, 1945                    Zone description (+) 7

Unloaded all ammunition.

 

September 21, 1945                   Zone description (+) 7

Berthed at the SOUTH QUAY WALL, NAVAL REPAIR BASE, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, along with other destroyers scheduled for inactive duty.

 

September 22 - 30, 1945              Zone description (+)7

Going ahead with inventories and repairs to have the ship ready for de-commissioning. The PICKING is to be a ship of the Pacific Reserve Fleet now forming. Under present plans, one destroyer of a group will remain in commission and be responsible for the other ships in the group. Since flagships are to remain in commission, it is believed that the PICKING will be decommissioned.

 

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