The Stern Room

Joe Avery

Since I spent 8 years of my life in the Stern Room maybe I provide some data.

As you know the After Torpedo Tubes were removed in 1948 to build the Combat Information Center (C.I.C.) in 1950. From the deck hatch aft, the Stern Room was an electronic storage space with over a million electronic components (I know I inventoried Them). The after section also contained two a/c generators specifically for the electronic equipment. From the deck hatch forward to Maneuvering Room was CIC itself. It contained the SR-2 Air Search Radar System, the SV-2 Height Finder Radar System, the SPA 8 and SPA 9 Radar Repeater Systems with rotary switch to connect any radar system on the boat to the SPA8 and SPA9.

Between the SPA8 & SPA9 was located the DRT for tracing etc. There was a stable element for stabilizing the SV2 when in use. Looking forward on the starboard side forward was a communication station usually manned by an RM when conduction operations. There was a vertical air plot for tracking aircraft, controlling friendly aircraft (CAP) and making interceptions of hostiles. Our air search "effective" capability was about 120 miles so with 400 knot aircraft we had approximately 17 minutes from acquisition of "bogey" to make the intercept and/or dive. There were also other tote boards for displaying other data , i.e. communication frequencies, and other pertinent data that those manning stations would need.

Normally underway one Radarman manned CIC and stood watch tracking anything he picked up and keeping the bridge informed. When we were at air ops we had normally 2 plotters, 2 radar operators a leading RD to co-ordinate all functions plus at least one air controller, usually the CIC officer, and one other senior officer, i.e. operations officer. If we had any VIPs embarked they were there too. Later on we had some more radar gear installed port side forward for aircraft early warning.

Joe Averi