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Master and Commander
Posts: 1603
| Subject: Question
During my time on the Pickerel in all our communications we used the name "paperhanger". Was that the case with all boats having a code name, and is that something that stays with a boat for life? Maybe it's obvious to some, but why not just use our boat's real name in communications. I always wondered who came up with that name, and was it from day one. I always thought that was an odd name for us. Maybe paperhanger was not a code name, but whatever it was why?
Edited by Gil 2024-04-17 10:20 AM
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1323
Location: Oxnard, CA | Subject: RE: Question
All ships had radio call signs. Example, the USS Excel, my Minesweep had a radio call sign NLPA. This was used in Morse code communications. It also had a radio voice call sign, Debutante Quebec. When entering ports where communications with the local port authority or Coast Guard was required, then the ship's name was used - such as entering Hong Kong or Santa Barbara California.
There were Morse and voice call signs for ship divisions, such as Mine Division 93, Comindiv 93 Morse was BZIS and the collective ships in the division was DTUD. Each also had a voice call sign but CRS rules. All the Morse call signs could also be encrypted, not using the direct call sign, but by looking in a communications publication, there was a "second column call sign" that would be then encrypted. This second column call sign - classified - would also stay with the ship.
The two call signs stayed with the ship, unless it changed type, example SSN changed to SSGN. Then possibly the two call signs could change, but this is not definite.
Clear as mud?
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2672
Location: New Jersey | Subject: RE: Question
Sirago had a call sign which I think was Toro...But maybe since CRS is a major part of my life, it might have been a name i heard in a movie-or not. The carrier I was on, her call name was wild bull. I know that because I was on the bridge when it was used.
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Plankowner
Posts: 9165
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Question
Came up with this on the Cusk Page:
" The Cusk is at 100 feet with Condition Baker confirmed, and a yellow warning smoke having been fired to the surface to warn any nearby ships that the Cusk is getting ready to surface. John Troutman contacts "Sea Power", an Australian frigate and asks them to verify the yellow smoke launched by the Cusk... "...Do you hold my yellow smoke,. Over."
Sea Power answers saying, "...this is Sea Power, Roger yellow, all clear to surface. Over."
In response, Lt. Troutman says, "...this is Standish (the Cusk's call sign), Roger, coming to periscope depth this time."
Finally, Sea Power responds, "This is Sea Power, Roger, out.""
Following is an actual recording of the transmission. (Turn your audio down first): http://usscusk.com/sounds/yellow%20smoke%20clear.mp3
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1603
| Subject: RE: Question
I wonder who picked the Pickerel's radio name paperhanger, and why. It seems kind of odd to me that they would use the term that denotes a person who passes bad checks. A shipmate on my boat from the early sixties does not remember the term paperhanger used back then. It's ingrained in my mind hearing as I was passing the conn going from lookout to the bow, or stern planes. |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1269
Location: Hopewell Junction NY | Subject: RE: Question
Sea Robin SS-407 was NKPN & Fireclay.
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref/CallSigns/CallSigns-17.html |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1323
Location: Oxnard, CA | Subject: RE: Question
That's a very old book. The Battleship USS California is listed. She was at Pearl during the bombing. So was the USS Vestal.
The USS Hornet, CV-12 is listed. I didn't check the other CV's, Enterprise, Essex, F.D.R., ...
Also noted that there are no more modern ship types: DLG, DDG, CG, PC and others, definitely not the CG(N) Long Beach or any nooks.
My minesweep, USS Excel isn't listed, but other ships names, that were in the same minesweep division are listed, but not as MSO's, but the older steel hulled AMs types. Definitely not the same call letters.
Edited by JrKrup, Skimmer 2024-04-20 2:37 PM
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1269
Location: Hopewell Junction NY | Subject: RE: Question
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref/CallSigns/index.html#contents
My boat "SS-407" had her keel laid down one month earlier than that publication. |
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