![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The Transport patch did not find many places on shirts, field jackets, and other apparel. Though not remembering the colors, it was a most attractive patch. The ADC patch pictured a seal with its nose balancing the letter “D” with the letters “A” and “C” appropriately on each side. Recalling the various shoulder patches worn by the Harbor Craft Members the Transport Corp wore what would be a motor vehicle wheel with spokes extending beyond the outer edges, evidently to appear as a ship control wheel. Later came another area title: The Alaska Department. To this day most members do not truly know whether we were part of the Alaska Defense Command or the Transportation Corp. Due to the retaking of Attu and Kiska and the occupation of other islands we were evidently surplus infantry and shortly after arriving at Fort Lawton near Seattle we became detached to the Harbor Craft Detachment. The military members had for the most part arrived in Seattle as infantry troops, fresh from basic training in the southeast United States. One was denoted skipper (Captain), the other chief (Engineer). To offer experience there were two civilians in the employ of ATS. The crew assembled for the voyage, consisted of seven Army personnel, one of which was the ships mate, another an assistant engineer, a cook, and four deck hands. This bit of recollection and memories, accounts the good, bad, humorous and not so humorous events that transpired aboard the vessel officially named Barge Self Propelled 1923. This story deals with the small coastal and interisland vessels, the Power Barges – Tugs – Freight Passenger ships that were of a support nature, working the waters of Alaska and the Aleutians, supplying equipment and food, and on occasion transporting troops and civilian hires to various work sites. The Army Transport Service (ATS), mainly a civilian operation, did indeed operate large troop transports and supply ships. ![]() It has been said at various times, that the U.S. ![]()
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