A look back at the AP story published 25 Feb 1979, when the first women joined the crew of USS VULCAN. The story was famous because of a "floating brothel" reference from an unexpected quarter. Found it in five seconds putting that in my search string. Enjoy!
Aboard the USS Vulcan (AP).
The U.S. Navy's pioneering women at sea are getting used to the cramped sleeping berths, the lack of privacy, the mess cook duties. Aboard the USS Vulcan, the Navy's first and only ship with enlisted women aboard, they don't complain about the lack of hot water, the attacks of seasickness, even last week's raid of their quarters by some rowdy sailors. But when the 530-foot repair ship left Norfolk on Thursday for a history-making first operational cruise with women aboard headed for Naval Weapons Station Earle, NJ, they were still grumbling about a problem they left back on shore. Those complaining Navy wives. "A floating brothel ... Ban the Broads!" wrote a Navy wife in a recently published letter to the Navy Times. And although this particular wife was from California, the women of the Vulcan were incensed. "The letter was so off the wall. "She did not know what she was talking about," said Ensign Mary Carroll, 23, of Roanoke, Va., who last November became the first woman to board the Vulcan. "We have a working relationship wjth the men on this ship. When we are under way, there is no time, no energy for
anything but work." "We've all got to grow up about this issue," said Capt. Harry A. Spencer, who has talked to many Navy wives and encourages a wait-and-see attitude about the integration of women on Navy ships. "If we're really sincere about equal opportunity, the only
way is to try our very best to make it work. We want to use the full resources of our country, not just half. "We have made history and we will continue to make history," Spencer said, adding that he was "mighty pleased" with the way
things are working out for his crew of 59 women, including two officers, and 805 men. '"I think it's working exceptionally well," said Warrant Officer Joe Whitaker from Hazard, Ky., who's been in the Navy 22 years. "The women do their share handling boats, standing watch, splicing lines. And it's a good feeling to see someone of the opposite sex on board. You develop a new appreciation for women after working with them." 'But is there love on the "Love Boat," nicknamed this by the crew after the popular television program. "If you wanted
to fool around you could probably find a place to do it. There are all kinds of little closets on the ship," said Mike Paradee, 24, from New London, Minn. "But the majority of. guys would never dare try anything. It's not worth it." One sailor, with a history of trouble, who tried a shipboard version of a panty raid when he and some friends broke into the women's quarters, ended up in the brig and was awarded a special court-martial for his efforts.