A Letter from Captain Gurley

submitted by Walt Tiedemann

December, 2006

Walt writes:

Hi Sheri: Enclosed is the photo of Captain Gurley and his wife. In case you thought I wasn’t going to send the photos, I had a bit of a problem. Flooded my house.

My home was built in 1940--the steam heat system was the original until last fall when I had a new boiler installed. The plumber installing didn’t replace any of the pipes of the old steam heat system.

The old steam system was almost completely plugged by a buildup within the system. I was given a routine to drain out the guck, and did it faithfully all summer and I was getting ready to finish and the refill the boiler. Thinking I had turned the refill water off, I started putting things back into the furnace room.

I saw a leak from one of the newly installed pipes in the new boiler. My wife screamed that water was streaming down the stairs from the upstairs bathroom--the living room carpet was drenched, water was pouring from the light fixture at the base of the basement stairs.

You guessed it--I hadn’t turned the water off completely. The old steam pipes carried water all over the house and the steam pressure control units let it flow out at every radiator. We are about finished cleaning up. The plumber says the pipes are okay and we can enjoy the winter.

I’ll send the tale about Captain Guthrie, taking his shower and WHAT HAPPENED?, WHAT HAPPENED? Will try to get it to you in time for the next issue of the Gorgon.

Regards, Walt

Captain and Mrs. Gurley

5 October 1992

Dear Walter,

Due to a misunderstanding the letter I wrote in answer to yours was mailed on 2 October without any postage on it. Even with my return address on it, it is uncertain what will be its ultimate fate. I certainly hope it will be returned for the postage. On the other hand it may be sent on to you by surface mail. Neither procedure will be adequate. Therefore this supplement. You may certainly use my article on the Euryale as you see fit.

Many thanks for the invitation to attend the imminent reunion. Regrettably, Phyl and I (at 81 and 91, respectively) have past the age for extensive travel and will be unable to attend. We do extend to all of my former shipmates best wishes for a happy reunion.

Briefly, I retired from the Navy on 1 October, 1947 after one year as Inspector of Naval Material, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Phyl flew out from Perth and we married in October, 1946. On retiring we drove to Fresno, California, where I joined the faculty of Fresno State College as an assistant professor of Engineering. After thirteen happy years in California I retired as professor emeritus of Engineering and moved to Perth for permanent residence. We have been in this retirement village for 10 years and find it a very pleasant way of life.

Please excuse my scrawl. If my first effort is returned to me I will sent it post haste.

With kindest regards to you and all of our Euryale shipmates.
Ralph R. Gurley,
Capt., USN (Ret.)

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