What did Firemen do on WWII U.S. submarines?

AVGWarhawk · 05-26-07, 06:51 PM

I thought the firemen carried Zippo lighters for the smokers on the crew

LukeFF · 05-26-07, 11:22 PM

Thank you Jmack, that was very informative!

Now, after reading that, it seems like the best place for the Fireman rating would be in the engine room, correct? Also, based on that, it seems they could pretty much fit in anywhere they were needed, yes?

pocatellodave · 05-26-07, 11:33 PM

It has been a number of years ago,but if my memory serves me right,firemen were sailors that spent their watch in the engine room.We called them snipes.I don't know how the word snipes came about,but thats what we called them.Most ships had a port and starboard watch,and you were on four and off four.The snipes had red stripes to designate their job field.Regular seaman had white stripes,and aviation sailors stripes were green.This was true until they achieved third class,then their occupational speciality was shown on their third class crow emblem.
Pocatellodave

LukeFF · 05-27-07, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocatellodave

It has been a number of years ago,but if my memory serves me right,firemen were sailors that spent their watch in the engine room.

Thanks, that what I figured was the case.

Sailor Steve · 05-27-07, 02:42 PM

U.S. railroad trains also still have firemen. Back in the days of steam they shovelled the coal into the firebox. Today they are apprentice engineers. Still called firemen, though. I'm sure naval firemen are the result of a similar history; new job, old name.

Jmack · 05-27-07, 02:45 PM

i agree with steve ...

sunvalleyslim · 05-27-07, 11:30 PM

Nice job Jmack..........

Werewolf13 · 05-28-07, 08:59 AM

To keep it short...

In the Navy enlisted ranks there are 4 categories of ratings.

1. Deck
2. Engineering
3. Aviation
4. Medical

Firemen are E-3 and below engineering guys. Their stripes are red.
Seamen are E-3 and below deck ratings. Their stripes are white.
Aviation strikers have green stripes and medical blue.

Examples of engineering ratings that firemen can strike for are Machinists Mate, Hull Tech (didn't have those in WWII), Boiler Tech etc...

Examples of seaman ratings are Bosun's Mate, Electronics Tech, Radioman, Fire Control Tech etc

Don't have a clue aobut the aviation and medical communties.

05-26-07, 06:51 PM	#1
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,293 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I thought the firemen carried Zippo lighters for the smokers on the crew __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

05-27-07, 02:42 PM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	U.S. railroad trains also still have firemen. Back in the days of steam they shovelled the coal into the firebox. Today they are apprentice engineers. Still called firemen, though. I'm sure naval firemen are the result of a similar history; new job, old name. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

05-27-07, 02:45 PM	#6
Jmack Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 669 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	i agree with steve ... __________________ "victim's ? ... arent we all ? "

05-27-07, 11:30 PM	#7
sunvalleyslim Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Posts: 1,142 Downloads: 267 Uploads: 0	Nice job Jmack.......... __________________ Crew member/ decommission member TM2(SS)(SD) 3/68-7/70 DIESEL BOATS FOREVER USS SEGUNDO (SS398)

05-28-07, 08:59 AM	#8
Werewolf13 Torpedoman Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: The HEART of Fly Over Country Posts: 120 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	To keep it short... In the Navy enlisted ranks there are 4 categories of ratings. 1. Deck 2. Engineering 3. Aviation 4. Medical Firemen are E-3 and below engineering guys. Their stripes are red. Seamen are E-3 and below deck ratings. Their stripes are white. Aviation strikers have green stripes and medical blue. Examples of engineering ratings that firemen can strike for are Machinists Mate, Hull Tech (didn't have those in WWII), Boiler Tech etc... Examples of seaman ratings are Bosun's Mate, Electronics Tech, Radioman, Fire Control Tech etc Don't have a clue aobut the aviation and medical communties. __________________ Peace is good... Freedom is BETTER!

05-26-07, 11:22 PM	#2
LukeFF Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Riverside, California Posts: 3,610 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 5	Thank you Jmack, that was very informative! Now, after reading that, it seems like the best place for the Fireman rating would be in the engine room, correct? Also, based on that, it seems they could pretty much fit in anywhere they were needed, yes?

05-26-07, 11:33 PM	#3
pocatellodave Engineer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pocatello,ID Posts: 203 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	It has been a number of years ago,but if my memory serves me right,firemen were sailors that spent their watch in the engine room.We called them snipes.I don't know how the word snipes came about,but thats what we called them.Most ships had a port and starboard watch,and you were on four and off four.The snipes had red stripes to designate their job field.Regular seaman had white stripes,and aviation sailors stripes were green.This was true until they achieved third class,then their occupational speciality was shown on their third class crow emblem. Pocatellodave