QM3 Patrick Cunliffe, USN, posted the ship’s traditional New Year’s midnight log entry in 'Rap-style' aboard 'USS Reuben James'.
On New Year's Eve the ship was on routine patrol in the South China Sea.
Continued the watch underway as before,
with warship Five Seven on her final tour.
The crew lay asleep in their comfy racks,
entrusting their shipmates would have their backs.
The night was so peaceful, like many before,
as the watch teams waited for what lie in store.
“Boats” stood by with bells at the ready,
while the helm held the ship at a course that was steady.
“Wheels” at his table with the primary plot,
CIC too, though needed he will likely be not.
Navigation lights burning ever so bright,
as this fine Navy vessel sails through the night.
Modified Zebra set main deck and below,
Darken ship too, with no white lights to show.
The ship in condition of readiness three with nothing in sight,
in this wide open sea, no quarrel, no fight.
The ship is steaming ever so free,
with the mighty fine power of one GTE.
Cold is the ship from number 1 and 3 AC’s,
about it I’ll tell you of the SSDG’s.
1 and 3 are creating the power,
so after this watch we can all have hot showers.
1,3 and 5 fire pumps are all at the ready,
to stop any fires that may catch us unsteady.
Number 1 HPAC and number 2 LPAC are both also online,
with those guys in CCS who are one of a kind.
Number 2 reefer runs all through the night,
to keep our great Navy chow just ever so right.
1st Lt. has the Conn, NAV has the deck,
with mustaches combed tight to take on the night.
TrainO looks out over the seas,
as he stands watch as the JOOD.
Our esteemed Captain lay just right below,
his crew at the ready, this he knows.
2012 has gone by so fast,
warship Five Seven completed her tasks.
A new year is here, of this we all know,
but don’t you worry, REUBEN JAMES will set the tone.
To our families back home have a Happy New Year,
we send you our love and our holiday cheer.
Our Shipmates world wide look back with remembrance,
we are fightin’ 57, “BACK WITH A VENGEANCE!”