Newspapers / The North Carolina Shipbuilder … / Nov. 1, 1943, edition 1 / Page 3
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November 1, 1943 YARD'S TELEPHONE SWITCHBOARD STAFF Standing, left, Mrs. Agnes Threatt, Chief operator, and right, Gertrude Yopp, assist ant chief operator. In order of the numbers on a telephone dial are 1 Lunnie Register; 2 Lucille Larkins; 3 Valeta Huntley; 4 Leona Eubanks; 5 Laura Shomaker; 6 Mae King; 7-Gay Walker; 8 Christine Grant; 9 Sarah Goodwin, and 10 Mildred Jarrett. Telephone Staff Fills Vital Role In Shipbuilding Twelve Expert Women Win 'Voice Of The Yard' Titlo Stop and think a moment of what efficient telephone service means to smooth shipbuilding and you'll leadily "realize that the fine job being done by our switchboard staff is one of the most important in the yard. Operating the largest and busiest PBX board in any in dustrial plant in eastern North Carolina, the twelve women han dle approximately 20,000 calls daily. Whether they be cross country or cross-yard connec tions, they are put through with a minimum of delay and bother. The result is that little time is lost on communications and the staff is making a real contribu tion to faster shipbuilding. The growth of the switch board parallels the growth of the yard. Early in June, 1941, the first board was installed, a one-position type with Mrs. Agnes Threatt, today the Chief opera tor, the only operator. In Sep tember, the rapid enlargement of the company required more telephone facilities and another position was added. The two position board proved inadequate THE .7 I V V - -r- 1 11 THE VOICE OF for the great flow of calls and on July 2, 1942, the communica tion system was improved greatly by the addition of a larger switchboard and ten new operators. The present board is capable of handling 350 connec tions, either yard, local or long distance calls, at one time, and the manner in which it is operated is a source of pride to all familiar with communica tions here. When December 7, 1941, burst upon us it Was realized that the switchboard, by which is meant the personnel operating the switchboard, would be the nerve center of any war alarm that was sent out. This fact was recognized when war-time plant protection arrangements were made. During the several surprise blackouts, one or two of which were genuine emer gencies, our switchboard opera tors not only carried out the duties assigned them, but fre quently those- not required to report to the shipyard, came in "just in case" and either took positions on the board or stood by to serve. The expert and efficient operators are Mrs. Threatt, Gertrude Yopp, assistant chief operator; Lunnie - Register, teona Eubanks, Valeta Huntley, Mae King, Laura Shomaker, Gay Walker, Sarah Goodwin, Christine Grant and Misses Lu cille Larkins and Mildred Jar ratt. Working in eight-hour shift and "on the job" every minute of the hour, each of these wo- NORTH CAROLINA SHIPBUILDER B. L. Britt Saves Fellow Employee In Fire Accident Suffers Severe Burns In Ripping Clothes From C. E. Key Quick action by B. V Britt, 70653, of the Fitters, recently saved one of his fellow workers from serious injury or death. Voluntarily and with little re gard for his personal safety,he stopped C. E. Key, 72139; a burner whose clothes had be come ignited, tore the flaming garments from him and assisted in removing him from an inner bottom. In doing so, Britt's hands, arms and other parts of his body were severely burned. The incident occurred on Oc tober 8, at 10:25 a. m., in the innerbottom, port side, aft of bulkhead No. 14, hull 96. Key had gone to the location to do some work for a fitter. During the operation, a shower of sparks caused his shirt, made of flannelette material, to catch on fire. The material was burn ing very rapidly and Key cut off his torch and tried to extinguish men is as important on the pro duction front as the telephone operator of an artillery unit on the fighting front. They have rightfully earned the title "The Voice of the Yard." THE YARD HAVE YOU That one hears very little about the recent trip to New York made by Kenney Neill, Gaither Kennell, Dick Hitchens and W. C. Kelly? Could Teddy Bears or Gertrude have any bearing on their silence? That you can always depend on the N. C. Shipbuilding Co. employees to do their part and more for any worthy drive? Whether its Bonds, Red Cross, Community Chest or what have you7tmrboys and girls are in there pitching. v. The recent addition to tne Welding office in the Foreman's building ? Mr. R. B. Tibbs is the new Chief clerk and we the fire himself. Meantime, he was moving from the access to the innerbottom. Britt was nearby and, seeing that Key was on fire, halted him, remov ed the burning clothes and helped get him out of the inner bottom despite the serious burns he had suffered in making the rescue. According to Fred A. Kean, Jr., foreman of the Fitters, Britt is a very reliable and capable employee. This is the first time that he has been involved in an injury since he was first em ployed in the yard about a year and a half ago. He has been highly commended for his quick action in saving Key from ser ious injury or death. Page 3 NOTICED? understand he is doing a good job. The fine spirit of cooperation that .prevails over our entire yard? It's this work-together j.-i spirit and the know-how that t has won us a front seat in the shipyard industry. This issue's contribution by Marsha Dean? Marsha has haj quite a bit of experience in thn JSIJ T'MQOO Y was Editor of "Hi-life," r h ureensDoro nign ocnooi pa? The tnumphant look Bil ox tne AugiesmiiQs is carrying i ; around these days ? Not only ! ! was it a nine-pound boy that came to his house on October 9 ? but also a matter of $5 collected v from Paul Harrison who was j foolish enough to bet him it ' would be a girl. .Never bet with . a man who knows what he is j talking about, Paul. . -I A certain , departmental per-'f ' sonnel supervisor speaking to' r girls in the Cafeteria at lunches ) 1 ' time ? This man really knows '., ' the ladies and is popular with ; them all. . ; J Who likes to hum those "Me- . Dowell County Blues" in the Police department? V I Difference between a lady y i welder on the job and when she" is dressed up fit to kill ? h v f Who hasn't been perturb c j over the round-the-clock playir X I of "They Took the Stars C ' of Heaven"? i 1
The North Carolina Shipbuilder (Wilmington, N.C.)
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Nov. 1, 1943, edition 1
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