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Captain Winslow
Captain Winslow is a good example.
The Navy needed a tried and true, reliable captain to take over LaSalle from the construction dry docks in the Brooklyn Navy Yard – The “Can Do” yard – bring together a bunch of youngsters, a few in their 40s, and make a that was designed to go close to enemies and accomplish a complex series of maneuvers and tasks.
The Navy chose Captain Winslow. A wise move.
He was born in Dallas TX. He attended the Naval War College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and got a Master's Degree from George Washington University.
Capt Winslow served:
1. On the USS Robinson in the Pacific during WWII
2. On the USS Leary during the Korean War
3. As Commanding office of the USS Des Moines,
4. As Captain of the USS LASALLE LPD3 at her commissioning.
How many of you here tonight served under Captain Winslow?
How many of you know how he saved the ship one night in the Caribbean when we almost were rammed?
Winslow’s STORY
We were steaming north in company of 4 other ships. One ship was leading the group – out ahead – off our starboard bow about a thousand yards. It was night time – 2:00 am – I was on the bridge, and Lt. JG Curry had the con. The captain was asleep in his sea cabin 15 steps from the bridge.
1. Suddenly Lt Curry saw the position of the running lights on the lead ship change – she was turning left into our path. Curry wisely ran into the captain’s cabin and waked him -- the lead ship was turning into us.
2. Winslow sprang out of bed and in skivvies and bare feet, bounded to the bridge, looked at the situation, grabbed the engine order telegraph and rang all ahead emergency full, and left full rudder.
3. As the other ship, now with both running lights visible, got closer, he ordered Curry to tell them to continue their turn over PRITAC.
4. They were in a turn, but at that moment headed directly into LaSalle about 2 points off the starboard bow – right into the crew’s sleeping quarters.
5. At the same time he brought our rudder right in order to kick our stern away from the other bow.
6. That bow and ship did continue their turn, and sped down our starboard side what seemed like a few feet away – more like 50 yards.
A miss may be as good as a mile, but it sure makes a lot of white hair.
Afterward, back in formation, we reasoned that the other helmsman had watched the compass too intently and gotten confused. And the deck officer had not caught being off course until too late to correct.
I was struck by the enormity of the event and how young we young officers depend on Captains. Saving a ship and dozens of lives is important work. Winslow did it as though it was second nature. He knew how to handle that ship.
I’m glad to have this chance to share this story. Out of a deep sleep, in a matter of 2 minutes, Captain Winslow saved us – duty and character saved us that night.
Winslow went on to serve…. as a vice president of Stanwick International Corp, in Iran
In addition to this life of service, he still managed a family life. His late wife, Barbara, had a combination of grace and practicality, which was passed on to their daughter Mary.
Captain Edward H. Winslow at age 89, died June 5, 2007 at his home.
