I toured the Olympia in the early 1960s. Glad to see it is still here and looking so good. Perhaps it was the day but I remember it as being cold and damp. It looks warm and livable. Good job.
I was on Olympia in the late 70s or early 80s. on school trips (2 different times) even as a kid, the beautiful wood work stood out to me. Beautiful ship. I highly recommend to go see it, if you haven't yet
in 1964 I was issued a "Ditty Bag" which was a fraction of the volume (Maybe 25% or less?) of those "Ditty Boxes". Aboard ship we had "racks" which were sheets of canvass lashed into metal frames that hung by chains, in tiers of three, from the overhead beams. In the morning the racks were also "triced-up" to clear some the area in the berthing compartment.
I reported aboard an AD in late 1975, and they were still using the metal-framed canvas racks in engineering berthing then. Eventually, we (ship's company) removed them and installed the "coffin" racks.
When I was a child I stood on the foot prints made of brass, on the bridge, of Admiral Dewey while touring part of the ship during a big restoration in the 1960's or early 70's. Nice to see it such great condition. :)
This class of ships was a cross between the old wooden ships and the new steel ships. The hold over of old methods into a new modern era of steel structures.
Retired RCN. Very enjoyable video, interesting to see what my USN counterparts would have experienced (and much the same as our early tars would have as well)
Ah, you must have visited Bermuda! What year? I remember watching the trainees lined up on deck getting the shore leave lecture. Never seen so many crestfallen faces as when they were told that, although Bermuda's legal drinking age is 18, the USCG was sticking to the more US 21!
Grew up in Connecticut and my dad was a marine vet. As a young girl he took me down to Groton for a sub tour and then somehow on the way back we got into USCG Academy and saw the Eagle. A beautiful ship. Then for many years after, as alot of Connecticut people do, I would try to spot the Eagle at berth or subs in the Thames when on I95.
Great presentaion, thx. Visited HMS Victory, same setup for the crew but no headroom. Spent time on a YMS/AMS, crew had pipe berths with canvas. I rated the Engineers fixed berth but we all shared the officers single head and shower. Great days.
Let me assure you. Sleeping in a hammock on the ship in moderate to heavy seas was not fun. I tried once, put up a hammock in my radio room just for fun. Even tried bungie cords. No go. Went out on deck to the fantail. Tried there. Again, once it got moving back and forth, it was worse then just being in a stationary bunk. I envy these guys for their sleeping arrangements. If you are every in Baltimore, tour the USCGC Taney. Can't tell it's decommissioned. Years later, even after it's decommissioning, it smells just like a Coast Guard cutter. You never forget that smell.
I have toured the USS Olympia. She is a national treasurer. I have read its hull is in terrible shape and she is in danger of sinking. I hope Philadelphia or the US Navy take charge of repairing the hull.
The crew was probably divided into two watches, port and starboard, with one on deck and the other in their hammocks. Therefore, only about 200 hammocks would be occupied.
A great, well done, and informative video that was hosted by a well versed commentator. This video gives people a peek at past times of our Navel History. The crew's living quarters, the hammocks, and the described hardships a sailor endured in 1890's warships.There was no such thing as air-conditioning on Victoria era ships-of-the-line and one can just imagine a vessel in the tropic area of the world, the heat factor that would do in most of today's sailors, was another hardship. The cold factor that would defy belief with a warship in the northern hemisphere. We owe our Fighting Men much! What they went through for this nation's well being and safety! Many Americans today are not worthy of these great men's sacrifice! They have no respect for our fathers before us that answered the call to duty. These pampered radical communist will be in trouble if sure enough hard times descend upon us! Thanks for this great video, again!
Even going into WWII sailor's went aboard ship with bedrolls/hammock's, as least that happened with my dad. I assume that though the ships had berthing spaces and bunks, there just wasn't enough to go around because of all the extra men most ships had to carried to man gun batteries. At some point when you made rank you would get a bunk.
Much of the reason for the way things were stowed and still a reason today is damage control, you simply do not want to clog pumps or be fighting a fire with all that stuff in the way.
@@CaesarInVa And they still don't. When the USN was at fault in two collisions with civilian vessels a few years ago, the chronic exhaustion caused by 108 work weeks were the root cause of the problem. Submarines have traditionally functioned on 18-hour days, which may be even worse.
Very rarely would your entire crew occupy a birthing area. You had different Duty statuses, to where the crew was always at least split in half. On-duty, off-duty
@@johnslaughter5475 Absolutely... Slightly rough weather was like taking a sleeping pill aboard a 15k ton AFS. Just glad my rack was port-n-starboard, she rolled a lot!!!
Intersting look at crew accomodation at a time of transition where all the other ranks were crammed into a single space reminiscent of the old wooden navy. I didn't see any numbers above each hammock hook like I've seen referenced in the Royal Navy for each crewman. Did sailors of the early US steel navy have their specific 'hook' to sling their hammock or was it something like catch as catch can?
Very good...this interior isn't unlike that of HMS Warrior (launched in 1862 - the first iron hulled, not just iron clad, ocean going warship) apart from the lack of big canons. No turrets then, of course.
It's very like the ship I went to school on. T.S. Arethusa in 1965 - 1968. (Shaftsbury Homes) Similar mess tables, hammocks etc, etc. Not really some of my happiest memories!
This ship is the last of its kind in any country. I'm happy to see this ship saved. Let's not forget the importance of this ship, as it truly is a representation of the United State's foray into the rush of late 1800's imperialism.
Heck No. Videos like these make me appreciate all our Blessings. My wife and I live in a modest house in South Fl. But it's solid, Thick block walls, double pane impact windows, and new roof. Can't ask for more. Blessings all
the lack of air con is another reason for the big open crew deck. note the port holes on either side. with a big open space like that all the way across the ship you can at least get some cross ventilation. if there were separate enclosed berthing compartments with bunks they would be unbelievably stuffy. the boiler room doesnt bear thinking about though.
The uss Olympia is a national treasure and should be cared for!
Love the era, have a big painting of the Olympia framed in my living room. She's a looker!
I toured the Olympia in the early 1960s. Glad to see it is still here and looking so good. Perhaps it was the day but I remember it as being cold and damp. It looks warm and livable. Good job.
I was on Olympia in the late 70s or early 80s. on school trips (2 different times) even as a kid, the beautiful wood work stood out to me. Beautiful ship. I highly recommend to go see it, if you haven't yet
Just found your channel. Great for me!
in 1964 I was issued a "Ditty Bag" which was a fraction of the volume (Maybe 25% or less?) of those "Ditty Boxes". Aboard ship we had "racks" which were sheets of canvass lashed into metal frames that hung by chains, in tiers of three, from the overhead beams. In the morning the racks were also "triced-up" to clear some the area in the berthing compartment.
I reported aboard an AD in late 1975, and they were still using the metal-framed canvas racks in engineering berthing then. Eventually, we (ship's company) removed them and installed the "coffin" racks.
When I was a child I stood on the foot prints made of brass, on the bridge, of Admiral Dewey while touring part of the ship during a big restoration in the 1960's or early 70's. Nice to see it such great condition. :)
Very interesting. Thank you! I visited the ship a few times while growing up in the Phila. area. Always enjoyed those visits!
This class of ships was a cross between the old wooden ships and the new steel ships. The hold over of old methods into a new modern era of steel structures.
Retired RCN. Very enjoyable video, interesting to see what my USN counterparts would have experienced (and much the same as our early tars would have as well)
Very interesting presentation. What those guys went through!
I slept in a hammock during 2 2-week training cruises on the US Coast Guard barque, the Eagle. It was uncomfortable and I never got used to it.
I heard once that they rolled with the ship, that the Chiefs didn't like bunks, you could roll out of them....
Ah, you must have visited Bermuda! What year? I remember watching the trainees lined up on deck getting the shore leave lecture. Never seen so many crestfallen faces as when they were told that, although Bermuda's legal drinking age is 18, the USCG was sticking to the more US 21!
@@Tourist1967 not Bermuda. Pretty much US coastal waters, though some of my classmates sailed to Europe on the Eagle.
@David Erickson tru dat went to jungle school, after a week in the hammock, my back was killing me, so opted for the mud.
Grew up in Connecticut and my dad was a marine vet. As a young girl he took me down to Groton for a sub tour and then somehow on the way back we got into USCG Academy and saw the Eagle. A beautiful ship. Then for many years after, as alot of Connecticut people do, I would try to spot the Eagle at berth or subs in the Thames when on I95.
I was there years ago. Beautiful ship!
I attended luncheons on 3 occasions hosted on the Olympia by the Navy Damage Control School for my boss, Rear Admiral Dyer. This was 1993-1995.
A real beauty.
Great presentaion, thx. Visited HMS Victory, same setup for the crew but no headroom. Spent time on a YMS/AMS, crew had pipe berths with canvas. I rated the Engineers fixed berth but we all shared the officers single head and shower. Great days.
What a cool ship, Old World meets New World.
My grandfather worked on the Olympia when was a kid to help maintain the ship. i still have a coin he was given made from one of the props.
I have the coin and plank owner pin
Let me assure you. Sleeping in a hammock on the ship in moderate to heavy seas was not fun. I tried once, put up a hammock in my radio room just for fun. Even tried bungie cords. No go. Went out on deck to the fantail. Tried there. Again, once it got moving back and forth, it was worse then just being in a stationary bunk. I envy these guys for their sleeping arrangements.
If you are every in Baltimore, tour the USCGC Taney. Can't tell it's decommissioned. Years later, even after it's decommissioning, it smells just like a Coast Guard cutter. You never forget that smell.
I have toured the USS Olympia. She is a national treasurer. I have read its hull is in terrible shape and she is in danger of sinking. I hope Philadelphia or the US Navy take charge of repairing the hull.
The crew was probably divided into two watches, port and starboard, with one on deck and the other in their hammocks. Therefore, only about 200 hammocks would be occupied.
YES I ABSOLUTELY LIKE IT
Neet! Please make more of these!
A great, well done, and informative video that was hosted by a well versed commentator. This video gives people a peek at past times of our Navel History. The crew's living quarters, the hammocks, and the described hardships a sailor endured in 1890's warships.There was no such thing as air-conditioning on Victoria era ships-of-the-line and one can just imagine a vessel in the tropic area of the world, the heat factor that would do in most of today's sailors, was another hardship. The cold factor that would defy belief with a warship in the northern hemisphere. We owe our Fighting Men much! What they went through for this nation's well being and safety! Many Americans today are not worthy of these great men's sacrifice! They have no respect for our fathers before us that answered the call to duty. These pampered radical communist will be in trouble if sure enough hard times descend upon us! Thanks for this great video, again!
"I joined the Navy to see the world
and what did I see?
I saw the sea!"
An old Navy song from the era of Olympia and the Music Hall.
Even going into WWII sailor's went aboard ship with bedrolls/hammock's, as least that happened with my dad. I assume that though the ships had berthing spaces and bunks, there just wasn't enough to go around because of all the extra men most ships had to carried to man gun batteries. At some point when you made rank you would get a bunk.
Very good point. The ship can't call in reserve battalions for additional manpower. It has only its complement from which to draw.
I sure would like to return to Uss Olimpia.
Much of the reason for the way things were stowed and still a reason today is damage control, you simply do not want to clog pumps or be fighting a fire with all that stuff in the way.
You just convinced me not to join the Navy in the early 1900's...
Would the ship have had a piano on board when it was in service like it has one now?
My question how did the watch standers sleep?
Answer: Like everyone else, probably not very well.
@@CaesarInVa And they still don't. When the USN was at fault in two collisions with civilian vessels a few years ago, the chronic exhaustion caused by 108 work weeks were the root cause of the problem. Submarines have traditionally functioned on 18-hour days, which may be even worse.
If they're standing a watch, they shouldn't be sleeping. ;)
@@retnav92 not on duty but off watch they need some sleep even back then in the age of Iron men and steel ships
@@Dog.soldier1950 Yep 👍. Did my time in the canoe club, 71-92. :)
No, at night 1/2 the crew is on watch, not sleeping.
Hoping to see the Officers Quarters.
Very rarely would your entire crew occupy a birthing area. You had different Duty statuses, to where the crew was always at least split in half. On-duty, off-duty
The cool thing is that during rough seas as the ship rocks side to side it would rock the crews to sleep
Or dump then out onto the deck!
Hammocks hang via gravity. They remain stationery as the ship rolls.
Even on an 80,000 ton super carrier we could feel the rocking and pitching. It helped put me to sleep. I loved the motion.
@@johnslaughter5475 Absolutely... Slightly rough weather was like taking a sleeping pill aboard a 15k ton AFS. Just glad my rack was port-n-starboard, she rolled a lot!!!
My dad took me aboard in the 60s
Intersting look at crew accomodation at a time of transition where all the other ranks were crammed into a single space reminiscent of the old wooden navy. I didn't see any numbers above each hammock hook like I've seen referenced in the Royal Navy for each crewman. Did sailors of the early US steel navy have their specific 'hook' to sling their hammock or was it something like catch as catch can?
What about the captains cabin ?
Where can I get that hat? I don't see it at the online shop.
Reveille, heave out and trice up. Now revelle.
1970 still the call.
Remember it.well.
Is that a piano seen early in the video?
Good eye! Yes, you are correct!
Once covid dies down im itching to volunteer on board
I spent 8 Mos in the Philadelphia navy hospital and had 2 operations
In 1969 it's hard to visit ships from a wheelchair ♿😪
The deck is red, too - so blood doesn't show as much as another color deck!
Thats pretty dark lol
Surprisingly, Olympia`s crew spaces resembles the crew spaces of Mikasa in Yokosuka...
They were built around the same time so it makes sense for stuff like that to be similar
Very good...this interior isn't unlike that of HMS Warrior (launched in 1862 - the first iron hulled, not just iron clad, ocean going warship) apart from the lack of big canons. No turrets then, of course.
Kool
You kinda blew off shift changing. Im guessing the night shift had a special berthing. was it 12 Hr. shifts ??
I can see how doing away with those big open spaces would be a good thing, especially from a damage control perspective.
I wanted to see the Head 😕
I envy Olympia. Japan's near-contemporary memorial ship Mikasa was badly destroyed after WW II. Even now, many important parts are still lost.
It's very like the ship I went to school on. T.S. Arethusa in 1965 - 1968. (Shaftsbury Homes) Similar mess tables, hammocks etc, etc. Not really some of my happiest memories!
Should of saved the USS Pennsylvania , would of made a terrific museum companion to the Olympia.
This ship is the last of its kind in any country. I'm happy to see this ship saved. Let's not forget the importance of this ship, as it truly is a representation of the United State's foray into the rush of late 1800's imperialism.
What about the crew’s head?
Can you imagine living abord that ship or ships like it without air conditioning.
Heck No. Videos like these make me appreciate all our Blessings. My wife and I live in a modest house in South Fl. But it's solid, Thick block walls, double pane impact windows, and new roof. Can't ask for more. Blessings all
the lack of air con is another reason for the big open crew deck. note the port holes on either side. with a big open space like that all the way across the ship you can at least get some cross ventilation. if there were separate enclosed berthing compartments with bunks they would be unbelievably stuffy. the boiler room doesnt bear thinking about though.
They were paid in Gold and Silver coin aka real money.... Not cash.... Which are banknotes/currency.
THE GUY SPOKE ABOUT OLYMPIA CRUISER VERY FLUENTLY AND NICE ENGLISH. NICELY UNDERSTANDABLE
A far cry from life on an FFG7 class.
Glad my ship was built in the 1960s LOL
You didn't cover an important area, ablutions.
Does anybody REALLY think I am going to sit through an hour-long commercial to watch a 5-minute video?? SMDH
What commercial? All I saw was a five minute and thirty one second video. I feel cheated. Or do I know how to SKIP ADS?
Sleeping next to guys that stink and farting no thanks !
Nope..just no,would join the marines.
And you could easily be assigned to duty aboard a USN vessel.
@@roberthudson1959 knowing my luck probably but 50/50 chance?