Clipper, Vol. 3, No. 6, February 1, 1945

              PAK AMERICAS
PACIFIC-ALASKA DIVISION
		
VOL. 3, No. 6	Copyright 1945 by Pan American Airways, Inc.	- FEBRUARY 1, 1945
Discovery of Sinking Merchant Ship Related by Captain Ford
Local Navy officials revealed yesterday that a Naval Air Transport flying boat, operated by Pan American World Airways, was instrumental in' locating the cargo vessel, John A. Johnson, sunk by enemy action last November midway between San Francisco and the Hawaiian Islands.
Details of the disaster were further highlighted by the official report of Captain R. Ford, Pan American’s veteran master pilot in command of the transport plane. Said Ford, “We were flying in moonlight at about midpoint between Honolulu and San Francisco when my First Officer, MacRae, reported that he had sighted a flare to the East. We changed our heading and detoured through the undercast until we sighted a large ship, completely in flames, close by.
“When we were within a half mile of the burning ship it disintegrated in a tremendous explosion which sent a mushroom of incandescent flame to an altitude somewhat higher than ours. There was a sharp crack of detonation and our plane rocked and pitched violently. The sea for a radius of one mile about the vessel was lashed white by flying debris and a steel girder longer than a motor sailer could be seen tumbling in the air over a third of the way up the column of incandescent gas.
“We made immediate contact with San Francisco, informing officials of the incident. As we hovered over the area in order to obtain further information, we spotted two lights signaling one to the other. Visibility improved—we could even see two torpedo wakes still visible, both torpedoes headed toward the burning ship.
“While maintaining altitude, we communicated With the brighter of the two lights, attempting to trick the sender into revealing friendly or hostile identity. Actually, it seemed at first that the signaling was being done by the enemy. Word was then signaled from the surface that there were three lifeboats, with 17 survivors, of whom seven were known wounded. Their (Continued on Page 2)
BETTER BEEF BROTH, BISCUITS, BECOME BARGIONI BEST BETS
Management of the PAA cafeteria was assumed on January 13, 1944 by “maitre d’ ” Fred Bargioni, formerly of Industrial Relations. (Bargioni in center of photo). In addition to conducting his own food business in San Francisco for several years, it is worthy to note that Bargioni has served as president of the San Francisco Delicatessen Association for two years.
Working with Bargioni are Emily Almeida and Henry Johnson, head Chef. Johnson originated and effectively instituted the a la carte service to augment the steam tables, whose effectiveness in keeping food moist and fresh for long periods of time is limited.
FLIGHT RADIO MEN GIVE TO VET'S CALLS
The Telephone Committee of the PAA Athletic and Social Club reports that a sum of approximately $400.00 has been accumulated as a fund to provide phone calls for our wounded veterans returned by Clipper. Apart from some $100.00 donated by the management, the balance is nearly all composed of the dimes and nickels and quarters contributed by employees.
The FRO Association, at a recent meeting, magnanimously passed a motion to the effect that the group will donate a sizeable sum of money at each regular meeting. This gratifying action represents the first collective support that the Telephone Committee has received from any organized group of employees, and is especially indicative of leadership which the FRO Association has always displayed.
Three Lives Lost In Highway Crash
All Pan Americans were shocked by the automobile accident which occurred early on the morning of January 15 in which three employees lost their lives—John Sweeney, Dan Yaw and John Kangas.
These men, all Plane Service employees in the Maintenance Department, were returning home from work when they had a head-on collision with a trailer truck on Bayshore highway just south of the San Francisco—San Mateo county line.
All three men had recently returned from foreign duty—Kangas from Funafuti in September, Sweeney from the same base in August while Yaw returned from Honolulu in November.
Billings to Marry
High on the list of Tom Billings’ things to do in February is—get married. On the 24th of the month, Mr. Billings, of the Sheet Metal Department, will take as his bride, Rose Gelmetti of Los Angeles.
Present plans indicate a honeymoon in Mexico. Buena Suerte, Amigos.