Ship’s Stores and Services
The Supply Department operated two stores (called #1 and #2) and a number of issue rooms staffed by the ship’s 30 storekeepers and one storekeeper of aviation supplies. Store #2 also handled watch and jewelry repair. The stores were open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 - 11:00am and 1:00 - 4:00pm, and on Sundays and holidays from 1:00 - 4:00pm.
The following operating rules appear in Organization & Regulations U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA:
(a) Ship’s Stores Number 1 and 2:
Articles will be carried in stock and sold in accordance with current directives.
Store No. 1 - will handle - all Drugs and Toiletries, all Tobacco Products and accessories, and all food products.
Store No. 2 - will handle - all Clothing and accessories (not C&SS) and all miscellaneous items
(f) Watch Repair Shop:
(1) Services will be charged for as per posted price list at the Ship’s Store.
(2) Services rendered will include only those which can be done with available equipment. No work will be undertaken if the article cannot be returned to the owner in condition as good as that in which it was received. No work will be guaranteed.
(3) The Watch Repairman will be paid such extra compensation as is recommended by the Supply Officer and approved by the Commanding Officer.
Among the services the Supply Department offered was shoe repair. There was one Ship’s Service Man Cobbler assigned to the Ship. His shop hours were Monday through Saturday, 8:00 - 11:30am and 1:00 - 4:00pm.
The following operating rules are from Organization & Regulations U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA:
(d) Cobbler Shop:
Cobbler service will be free except for such repairs as half soles, rubber and leather heels.
The cost of materials used will be charged according to a posted price list. The cobbler shall have the right to refuse any repair work that he considers not justified. If the customer should not be satisfied with this decision he may take the matter to the Ship’s Store Officer for consideration.
The Supply Department had three SSMT’s, Ship’s Service Man Tailors, who ran this shop Monday through Saturday 8:00 - 11:30am and 1:00 - 4:00pm.
The following operating rules are from Organization & Regulations U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA:
(e) Tailor Shop:
(1) Tailor service will be free. However, cleaning or pressing or other work done ashore and articles shown on posted price list will be charged for.
(2) The following service will normally be furnished:
(a) Press Officer’s Blue and enlisted men’s Dress Blue uniforms.
(b) Patching and repair work:
Retape Collars
Replace stars
Put on or replace cuff stripes
Alter trousers (length and waist)
Sew marks and rating badges on
Sew on service stripes
Shorten shirt sleeves
Refit shirts
Sew on Officers Gold Braid and Devices
(Cost of Braid and Devices will be charged for)The Tailor shall have the right to refuse any work that he considers not justified.
If the customer should not be satisfied with this decision he may take the matter to the Ship’s Store Officer for consideration.
The men enjoyed getting refreshments at the fountain, which they called the "geedunk."
The NORTH CAROLINA had the luxury of having an ice cream machine, located on the opposite side of this compartment. When some of the departments held tug of war contests, the winning side sometimes received gallons of ice cream as a prize. One time the Ship was having gunnery practice, and a five inch projectile accidentally hit the destroyer USS KIDD. Fortunately, no one was injured and the peace offerings included a cake, baked in the shape of a heart with purple icing, and 50 gallons of ice cream - something not made on destroyers.
The Supply Department manned the fountain seven days a week from 1:30 - 3:30pm and, when at sea, also from 6:30 - 10:00pm.
The following brief statement on the fountain is contained in Organization & Regulations U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA:
(b) Fountain:
Ice Cream, Sundaes and cold drinks will be sold in accordance with posted price list.
"The Ship’s store that was located next to the fountain sold candy, cigarettes, stationery, jewelry (like cigarette lighters, fountain pens, watches). The store was only open certain times. The profits went into the ship’s welfare fund that was managed by the chaplain. Money might be used for travel money in case someone had to go home on an emergency and didn’t have the money. The second store, located near the ice cream machine, sold soap, toilet articles like after shave, and chewing gum. The nickname for the soda fountain was ‘geedunk.’ You could buy Pepsi for a nickel. The battleship was lucky to have an ice cream machine. I am a ‘vanilla’ guy so I don’t remember us having chocolate, but there were definitely toppings like walnuts, strawberry, chocolate, and caramel for sundaes. The ice cream came in a paper cup with a little wooden spoon. The ice cream was also used as the grand prize for sporting competitions between divisions like softball and tug of war. "
- Paul A. Wieser
