The Navigation Bridge

The Wheelhouse was the nerve center of the ship, located, appropriately, on the Bridge Deck. On either side of the table that you see in the Wheelhouse, are the mounting bases for the two radar units. In front of the table was the raised platform for the helmsman. The ship had two wheels mounted side by side from which the ship could be steered: the ship’s manual helm (round base) and autopilot repeater (square base). Mounted directly in front of the helms was the magnetic compass. On the overhead were the rudder angle indicators, which were positioned to be visible from the port and starboard bridge wings. On the aft bulkhead were controls for the ship’s announcing systems and whistle controls and, on the far port side, for the various running lights. The primary engine order telegraphs were on the starboard side and the reserve engine order telegraphs were on the port side.

The Chart Room was the main navigation room, containing various instruments to aid the bridge officers while the ship was underway. The chart table was against the forward bulkhead, while the gun cabinet was at the aft bulkhead. Currently, one of the parabolic radar dishes from the mast is stored here. The Damage Control Room contained the controls for the fire alarm system, smoke detection system, watertight doors, fire screen doors, and exterior hull doors. The mass of electrical connections attests to the importance of this room. The Log Room naturally stored the ship’s logbooks.

Further aft, on the starboard side was the Sea Cabin, to be used by the captain when he needed to be within a very short walking distance to the wheelhouse while the ship was underway. Sparsely equipped, it contained just a bunk, a desk, a toilet and sink, and a very small shower (which is still installed). On the port side was the Pilot’s Cabin. This was used if bad weather and heavy waves made disembarking the pilot at the Ambrose Lightship too dangerous. The Pilot would then get a free ride across the North Atlantic to Europe and back. Various other spaces served as storage for things like oil skins and flares, a lavatory (or Head in naval parlance), and radar control. Access to the interior of the mast was also accomplished by a hatch in the ceiling behind the Radar Control Room. While the ship was mothballed in Norfolk in the 1970s, this hatch was one of only two access points to ensure the vessel remained sealed so the dehumidification system could do its job.