Charlie Haug
Fireman and Oiler

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Remembrances:

I joined the merchant marine when I was 16 years old. I went through Sheepshead Bay in New York and came out with Fireman 2/C and Oilers papers. I also have a certificate of efficiency as a Lifeboatman. In addition I also had training in elementary gunnery.

I got out of Sheepshead Bay on December 13, 1944, and signed on my first ship on December 16, 1944. The ship was the SS LAFCADIO HEARN. The ship was a Liberty tanker. It was the dirtiest ship I was ever on. We pulled out of New York on December 23, 1944. This is all I can remember about this trip.

I was on the CENTRAL FALLS VICTORY which was a troop transport. We had troops on deck sleeping in tents nailed to the hatch covers. We hit some rough water and the waves came over the bow and collapsed the tents and the soldiers went floating around the deck in sleeping bags. All of the troops on board were seasick.

I also sailed on the SS FERDINAND GAGNON. All the ships I sailed on were carrying cargoes of aviation fuel or ammunition and guns.

I stopped sailing after the war when the NMU went on strike. When they were out so long and I needed money, I got a job with Continental Can Co. and worked for them for 39 years and retired.