Collision? On 9/24/52
Captain Bob Foley relieved Captain Bruton at sea on the way to Europe in the early afternoon. We were on Operation Main Brace and at GQ. I was the JOOD and as such was called upon to witness the ceremony as they read their orders over the 1MC. Captain Bruton had just finished his reading of orders, and handed the mike to Captain Foley. Suddenly the collision alarm sounded and the OD yelled Captain to the bridge "on the double" Who's the Captain? They stared at each other for a tense moment and all of us ran forward. When I got to my station, I could see the Mighty MO headed for our port bow at a high rate of closure, orders to the helm, and engines were quick and two great BB's were quickly on parallel but closing courses. We never made contact because of the high waves that built up between the 2 hulls acted as fenders, but the gang and the signal bridge traded Zippo lighters with the Mo's signal gang. One was sent up to the bridge and presented to the Captains, As we began to pull away, they both returned to the 1MC and Bob Foley read his orders, taking command of the Wiskey. I don't know who ended up with the lighter. 
