WALT: I was going in the tug, 84 feet, gathered there within port. 1, 2, 3, 4 sunken ships in the port. High tide, low tide, 24 feet difference. I was going to Utah, Normandy, in July 1944, and board ships. 30 by 90 feet, barge? No. Ships? No. And then I go to Cherbourg. 3 days to get there. I gathered storm coming, I slow, I go, 8 feet up from water & wind 40 MPH at least. 3 days, 2 ships, larger than ours--- 86 foot also going to Cherbourg. More power, OK.
And when I go to Cherbourg, & wind hit me, I go to sleep. Wind hitting me.
Rope breaking because wind it is so strong, broke rope to the barge. It's new rope, 6" around & breaks. And the captain turns around & borders it with new rope. Pulling another barge.
Barge all of a sudden stopped--- storm. A wave about 20 feet high, and streaming white caps, streaming and white caps so sudden. Captain so scared, he pulls whistle 7 times... that's "abandon ship"!!!
I questioned in my mind--- where are we going?! In middle of ocean! If I abandon ship, I not living anymore! So instead of going under, I climb up to wheelhouse and I go to sleep! I went to sleep for about an hour.
Coast Guard put hole in barge & sunk it. Finally the storm quit & I go to Cherbourg.
Captain was removed from the tugboat. Promoted a staff sergeant to run the boat!
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