Alfred (Stan) CATHERWOOD
   
Birthday: November 6, 1921
Birthplace: Springfield, Illinois
Admission date on the TIDE: October 14, 1942
Rating: MOMM3, Motor Machinist Mate 3rd class
Duty on the TIDE: Turn the salt water into fresh water
Serial number: 7254633

I joined the Navy at Chicago, Illinois and was enlisted
14 October 1942 on the U.S.S. TIDE (AM 125), a minesweeper.
I worked on the evaporator machines to turn salt water into fresh water.
To me, the TIDE was the best ship in the Navy; we had the best cook and baker, we always had coffee and soup (24H/24H), fresh eggs, and also steak and ice cream.
Our quarters were clean, but very small. When it was stormy, the ship could rock up to 37 degrees off center, and sometimes we had to sleep tied down to our bunks so we wouldn’t fall out. We had two major storms which we had to pass though while we escorted yard oilers and tug boats in preparation for
D-day.
We had 25 people per room, with bunks 3 beds high. We were responsible for keeping them clean, and if they were not clean, we would go to report (where we would be assigned extra duties).
We would feed porpoises for amusement. When we got bored, they would show movies if the ship wasn’t rocking too much.
We also played a lot of cards.
From Charleston to England, we were going across the Atlantic during 47 days (Columbus was quicker than we were).
We traveled at a speed of 4 knots (you could of walked faster than that).
The day our ship hit a mine will always stay with me.
I was in the evaporator room when the mine hit (which is at the bottom of the ship).
I was going down to the boiler room to check the water.
Just as I got there, I heard a terrible explosion; a hole was blown out big enough for a car to drive through. Water came pouring in I was down there by myself. The water got to my waist, then to my neck. My foot was caught in the deck plates, under one of the evaporators and I was struggling to get it loose but couldn’t. By the time I got loose, the water was over my head. I finally thought this is it but all of the sudden, my foot was free. I swam over to the ladder, got half way up, started to pass out when I felt a hand and a voice saying “you can make it”. What a great feeling came over me to see that it was Casey, who pulled me out. My clothes were blown from me.
When I got to the deck, I could see that the ship was sinking fast.
A P.T. Boat commanded by John D. Bulkeley, was the first one to come to help us.
Later, I was transferred to an L.S.T. which took us to South Hampton, England.

I spent six months and fifteen days recovering from injuries.
I received off the TIDE.
I was discharged January 27, 1945.
Then I went to work for Norfolk shipping building and dry dock in Virginia.
D-Day, a lot of my buddies were killed. My ship was sunk June 7th. 120 people on board. About half of the men died after the ship hit a mine (only 6 could walk off without help).
I know that God plays a big part in sparing me. I thank him every night for his watchful care over me.

 

INTERVIEW OF A WORLD WAR II SOLDIER
 
By Curt CATHERWOOD
May 1994
Interview with Alfred S.CATHERWOOD Grandfather of Curt CATHERWOOD
 
  In which branch of the armed forces did you serve?

The Navy
  Where were you stationed during World War II?

Aboard the USS Tide minesweeper
  What were your duties?

I turned the salt water into fresh water (I operated the evaporator machines).
  How was the morale in your unit?

Good.
  How was the food?

We had good food in port and on the ship. We had ice cream, fresh eggs, and also steak. We were fed well.
  How were your quarters?

Good, clean, but very small. When it was stormy, the ship could rock up to 37 degrees off center, and sometimes we had to sleep tied down to our bunks so we wouldn't fall out. We had two major storms which we had to pass though while we escorted yard oilers and tug boats in preparation for D day. We had 25 people per room, with bunks 3 beds high. We were responsible for keeping them clean if they were not clean we would go to report (where we would be assigned extra duties).
  Were any aspects of your war experience boring?

Yes, 47 days going across the Atlantic (Columbus was quicker than we were). We traveled at a speed of 4 knots (you could of walked faster than that).
  What did soldiers do for entertainment?

We would feed porpoises for amusement. When we got bored, they would show movies if the ship wasn't rocking too much. We also played a lot of cards.
  What part of the war do you remember as being the worst time for America?

D day, a lot of my buddies were killed. My ship was sunk June 7th. 120 people on board. About half of the men died after the ship hit a mine (only 6 could walk off without help).
  When were you most afraid during the war?

When our ship hit the mine. I was in the evaporator room when the mine hit (which is at the bottom of the ship). My feet got stuck under one of the evaporators, by the time I got loose, the water was over my head. I had to swim though a ladder hole and barely got out alive. The ship sunk in 7 min. in 40 feet of water.
  When did you start feeling that the war effort was going our way?

About 2 weeks after D day we expected victory.
 What did you think, at the time, about:
 Franklin D. Roosevelt?

The Man of the Hour" The only man we could depend on.
  Churchill?

He was 1/2 American. I thought he was a good man. Sometimes he would make mistakes, but we always felt he was with us.
  Stalin?

He was an "if / or guy". We weren't sure we could depend on him. It wasn't until after D day we could see his true colors.
  Hitler?

We couldn't understand him. He would make brilliant military speeches and then turn around and do some stupid things. I hated the man, he was our enemy.
  Mussolini?

Dishonest, all talk and no action. He would take prisoners of his own people. You just couldn't trust him.
  The Japanese?

We were fighting a European war and really had little thoughts about them we figured that the marines and army would take care of them.
  The Germans?

We didn't think of the civilians, we were only concerned with our enemy the German army.
  The Italians?

We didn't fight the Italians, so we weren't concerned about them.
  The interment of the Japanese-Americans?

We were not aware until we got back to the states, but after I found out about it I felt it was the best thing for the Americans to do, because their former government was our enemy and these people could have caused us problems in the states.
  The dropping of the A-bombs on Hiroshima and Nagaski?

I was all for it. I was discharged by then (because of my injuries). It killed a lot of people but it ended the war quicker and in the long run saved American lives. It's too bad it had to happen.
  Have any of these opinions changed over the past years?

No
  Where were you (or what were you doing) when you heard about:
  The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?

It was on a Sunday afternoon, I was here in Springfield at home, and heard about it on the radio.
  D day?

I was there.
  V E day?

I was out of the Navy, but still working for them. I worked in California as an outside machinist.
  V J day?

That was a great day. I was at home and heard it over the radio.
  The death of F.D.R.?

At the time I was in Norfolk, VA. I was working for Norfolk shipping building and dry dock. I can't recall exactly how I learned of his death.
  When you came home from the war did you have trouble finding a job?

No, I went right to work for Allis Chalmers here in Springfield, which is where I worked before the war.
  Do you remember any other problems returning soldiers faced?

Most people wouldn't hire soldier because some soldiers thought US citizens owed them favors for saving their lives, therefore, some veterans thought they could slack off, thus giving all veterans a bad reputation.
  Do you still see any of the men in your former unit?

Yes, we have had ten reunions since the end of the war. We are meeting again this year on June 6th in Springfield for the 50th anniversary of D day.
 
  End of Interview