elsie item issue 66 - USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association

“Charlie Noble” will be Sad to See
the 1091 Leave for Portland
By Joe Flynn
There is always an exception to the
rule.
You would think that everyone would be
happy to see the 1091 go to Portland
for the LCI Reunion in 2009; but no,
there is one who would hate to see it
go. It's "Charlie Noble" the one footed
Seagull who is the mascot and clean-up
crew for the 1091.
Charlie lost one foot along the way,
probably from getting tangled in a fishing
line. But he manages well on one
foot, and two wings. We are not sure
who adopted who first, but Charlie has
been a loyal volunteer, is always there
when the rest of the crew comes aboard
and always does his job of cleaning up
leftovers from the donuts and rolls in
the morning. He never strays far from
the ship and is always the second, if
not the first, to show up on workdays. And he is there when the last one leaves. Don't know if
he has any rank yet, probably just a cook’s helper so far. But they think he has ambitions. He
has been eyeing the Birds on Capt. Mark Neeson's collar when he wears his uniform aboard.
All of you Elsie Item sailors are probably familiar with the term "Charlie Noble," but we have a lot
of Affiliates who may not have heard it before. Charlie Noble was a Captain in the British Navy
who insisted that the smokestack on the galley stove be polished everyday by the ships cook. So
they started referring to the smokestack as "Charlie Noble" and we doubt it was a term of endearment.
If you are ever in Eureka to see the 1091, most likely Charlie Noble will be there to greet you,
especially if you have snacks. Rumor has it that he likes pizza, and anchovy pizza is his favorite.
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