DD 891

About the Book

DD 891 Captain John G. Denham, USN (Retired)

There was no DD891. The Martin DD891, is a mythical Gearing class destroyer that represents nearly all of the "long-hull Sumner" class destroyers completed as Gearings; the last wartime designed "tin cans." Although 152 were originally ordered, only 98 were built and most were completed after WWII.

The officers and enlisted personnel assigned to the Gearing class destroyers were impressed with the living and working spaces and the arrangement of the modern equipment installed. With an allowance of a dozen officers and over 300 in the crew, operational capability and working conditions were improved as was the "hotel" support features for all on board. The chiefs were still forward and the "snipes" were aft; no change. "New constructions" drew the best people and therefore the original crew of the Martin DD891 consisted of experienced leaders and qualified petty officers in all key position. As time passed, change was the only constant factor. The demands of naval operations required that the 25 hour day remain routine in destroyers. USS meant underway Saturday and Sunday. For 30 years the Martin aged and survived with competent leadership and dedicated crews.

DD891, is not just about a ship, but its people and the families that support those who chose the Navy and its life. The Martin was a unit in a four ship destroyer division that was part of a squadron in a flotilla that made up the Pacific fleet destroyer force. As each crew member is a part of a team, each destroyer is part of a mission oriented task organization and must be ready when needed and prepared to function when called. The Martin and her people successfully fulfilled many missions for 30 years. The Martin, as were her cohorts, was commissioned to keep the peace, therefore the officers and men spent the majority of their time deterring those enemies threatening that objective. From beginning to end, " Ready" was the Martin's motto. The main characters are real, except for the names. The events and times are factual as are most of the scenarios however, some spice, humor and embellishment was added to preserve relevance.

About the Author

Captain John G. Denham USN (retired) started his sea going career in 1942 as an Ordinary Seaman in an antique troop ship. Rejected by the Navy as too young, he shipped out on a short cruise to Hawaii only to spend a year in the most forward areas of the Pacific war zone. Remaining at sea he quicky rose to officer status and a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve. On active duty in the Navy he served destroyers and auxiliaries in Atlantic and Pacific Fleet. During a short period of inactive duty he returned to the merchant marine until augmented into the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant, USN and unexpectedly was ordered to command. Until retirement in 1975 he served in four destroyers and three auxiliaries, on senior staffs and as an instructor. After retiring as Captain, USN from the Naval Weapon Station, Concord, California he was employed as ship’s pilot on the bays, rivers and ports in the San Francisco Bay region. His final years of active employment were with the California Maritime Academy and American P resident Lines.