Among the lessons one may draw from the tale of USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) is that no large purpose is achieved alone. A full list of those who graciously gave their time for interviews and correspondence appears in the notes, but several deserve mention for their special generosity in sharing memories and documentary materials, including Kevin Ford, Erik Hansen, Michael Harnar, Glenn Palmer, John Preston, Paul Rinn, Eric Sorensen, Randy Tatum, and Gordan Van Hook.
The New York City office of the U.S. Navy’s public affairs branch arranged a visit to the Roberts in Mayport, Florida, where the ship’s commanding officer, Cdr. Bernard Gately Jr., went beyond the call of duty to welcome me as inspectors roamed his engineering spaces and a hurricane approached. The various holdings of the Naval Historical Center in Washington, DC, were of great use, and I thank archivist Regina Akers, historian Randy Papadopoulous, and the staff of the Ships History Branch for steering me in helpful directions. Ken Testorff of the Navy Safety Center provided access to back issues of Fathom magazine. Mike McLellan, a public affairs specialist at Navy Personnel Command, helped obtain Roberts muster rolls. Sue Pierter arranged a shipyard tour at Bath Iron Works.
Tom Cutler ushered the book through the acquisition process at Naval Institute Press, where Ron Chambers and Fred Rainbow provided early encouragement. Nathaniel Levine drew the map, cutaway, and side view of the Roberts with his customary competence and flair. Vago Muradian at Defense News provided flexibility at work at crucial moments.
Several people read parts of the manuscript and made helpful suggestions, including Christopher Cavas, Eric Greenwald, Anne Hastings Massey, Mickey Peniston, Mark Santangelo, and Phillip Thompson. Any mistakes that remain are mine alone. I owe a special debt to Portia Wu, my toughest editor and most generous supporter.
My family was endlessly encouraging during the research and writing of this book, and I dedicate it to them and to the memory of my father.
Bradley Peniston
Washington, DC
September 2005