The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 5-Inch, 38-Caliber Naval Rifle

RWK · August 2, 2001, 10:14 PM

Another amazing coincidence, directly related to your 5/38 "adrenalin booster":

SixthFlt during the summer of '75 in USS Josephus Daniels (CG-27) -- around 0200 and black as you know what. I go up the ladder from GSK to the fantail, very close to the ship's sole 5 inch 54. Cannot see the safety markings well, because they are red (naturally) and I have the red lens in my flashlight.

Walking forward on the port side to get to my stateroom . . . AND THE 5/54 RIFLE FIRES A NIGHT ILLUMINATION ROUND, unmanned and in fully automatic mode, in response to a night firing exercise command. Estimate I am 15 feet (slant range) from the muzzle. Concussion literally staggers me and my left ear has never fully recovered from the injury.

Incidentally, no 1MC or other general notifications that night firing exercises were ongoing.

Warmest regards -- Roy

August 2, 2001, 10:14 PM	#18
RWK Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 1999 Location: Occupied Virginia Posts: 2,777	Sam, my friend and fellow sailor . . . Another amazing coincidence, directly related to your 5/38 "adrenalin booster": SixthFlt during the summer of '75 in USS Josephus Daniels (CG-27) -- around 0200 and black as you know what. I go up the ladder from GSK to the fantail, very close to the ship's sole 5 inch 54. Cannot see the safety markings well, because they are red (naturally) and I have the red lens in my flashlight. Walking forward on the port side to get to my stateroom . . . AND THE 5/54 RIFLE FIRES A NIGHT ILLUMINATION ROUND, unmanned and in fully automatic mode, in response to a night firing exercise command. Estimate I am 15 feet (slant range) from the muzzle. Concussion literally staggers me and my left ear has never fully recovered from the injury. Incidentally, no 1MC or other general notifications that night firing exercises were ongoing. Warmest regards -- Roy __________________ __________________ Μολών λαβέ!