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Routine aboard the "Wee Vee", as on other US war ships, was governed by time (bells),
duty rosters (watches) and various administrative combinations. The men were assigned
to one of two watches, port or starboard, with half of each division being in each watch.
The watches were divided into two sections, so that each division had four sections
numbered from one to four. The odd-numbered sections were in the starboard watch and
the even-numbered in the port. Under this system, which had been employed aboard
since 1923, men were scheduled for work in regular shifts similar, except for
emergencies, to a 24-hour-a-day civilian war factory. In those days, black seamen were
segregated in fact, if not on paper.

Aboard the battleship. Captain Wiley occupied the top rung of the administrative ladder.
His complete authority was governed only by the law known as THE ARTICLE FOR
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NAVY and by orders from higher authority. At sea, with
those exceptions, his authority was absolute, especially in routine daily matters., in
keeping with a tradition of control exercised at least since the days of ancient Egypt. On
the other hand, if his authority was absolute, so ere his responsibilities. US Navy
regulations read simply: "The command is his responsibility and he can neither delegate
the duties of it to another nor avoid its burdens nor escape its responsibilities." Wiley was
ultimately responsible with his professional neck for everything in his ship, large or
small, including her operation, fighting efficiency, and most especially, the lives of the
men aboard.

As Captain Wiley's right hand and voice stood Commander King. The "Exec" had no
 authority of his own, but was responsible to the skipper for keeping order and discipline,
 for the state of training, and indeed, the overall efficient operation of the ship. He was
 actually a kind of manager and onto his plate fell all matters of routine business. In the
 event of Wiley's being killed, incapacitated, or absent from the vessel when she reached
 to war zone - or before- King would be the man to assume command.
 While on watch, the Officer of the Deck assumed the duties of the Commanding Officer
 and was responsible to him for the ship's proper operation. When, however, any
 important decision had to be taken or there were changes in the weather, of course, or in
 plans, the "OOD" reported to the Captain, even if the latter was asleep. At sea, the OOD
 stood his watch on the bridges, shifting to the quarter deck when in port. To the ship's
 company, the OOD was a visible representative of the skipper; indeed, it was that officer
 who allowed the men ashore for liberty and met them upon their return
     • Gunnery Officer Commander C.M. Hardison-Gunnery Department
     • First Lieutenant and damage Control Officer Lt. Commander F.H. White-
        Construction and Repair Department.
     • Navigator Commander C. M. Sugarman-Navigation Department (with Lt. S.C.
        Arendts in charge of Communications).
     • Engineer Officer Commander J.H. Brownfield-Engineering Department.

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