I served aboard the USS Vestal AR-4, The Ajax AR-5 was on it's maiden voyage in the middle of the Pacific on its way Hong Kong as our relief. The Vestal was on its way from Hong Kong to Bremerton for decommissioning going full steam at 9 Knots. We r4ceived orders to change course to locate the Ajax which was dead in the water. It seems that the green below deck crew of the Ajax had opened some wrong valves and salted down all fresh water aboard. We found the Ajax dead in the water and for the better part of 24 hours we were tied up along side making fresh water and pumping it into the Ajax's fresh water storage. Simultaneously, we were taking on oil from the Ajax because every tank aboard ship leaked.. I always wondered if the then Captain of the Ajax ever made Admiral. p.s. I would like to see a write-up on the Vestal. The Vestal was sunk by Japanese bombs at Pearl Harbor, refloated and refitted at Bremerton being converted from a courier/supply ship to the AR-4. Two 5 inch and 4- 20mm plus other armament made the Vestal top heavy and it nearly capsized during a hurricane a month before I was assigned to the ship from Okinawa. Bill Curp, former MM3C vesta