Photos by Richard Ray
In August 1972, Richard Ray arrived on the HERMITAGE. He was interviewed for Quarter Deck.
What did you do on the HERMITAGE?
I was originally at CT2 but got caught up in the CT conversion when we outperformed ourselves and invented a gadget that would do the work of six communications guys. Those with a year or less on their enlistment were given early outs, the rest of us were “offered” YN, DK, PN and a few other positions afloat. I became a PN2 for my final year. Even though we tended to get along, I think Bobby Maddox was always a bit miffed that I bumped him seniority-wise with my arrival without any preparation for the job. Good man, though. I assume/hope that he gained the rank at my departure in 73.
HERMITAGE at pier in Baranquilla, Colombia
San Juan, Puerto Rico
What are
you doing now?
I’m starting my 11th year teaching intro through Advanced
Placement Photography at Mountain View High School in
Vancouver, Washington. Previously, I spent 12 years at a
small art and history museum in northern California as
exhibition preparatory (wall painter/art hanger) and staff
photographer. Prior to that, I worked half dozen years with
the Bureau of Land Management administering grazing leases
(putting my Range Management/Soil Science degrees to work).
Marines back on board from Vieques
Retrieving Marines
What type
of camera and what type of film did you
use?
During the time in northern Germany and on the Herm, I used
a workhorse Pentax SPII. Nothing special lens-wise; the
50mm normal, a 135mm and later a 400mm. My transparency
film preference was generally Kodachrome (grandfather’s and
uncle’s influence), but occasionally some Ektachrome
slipped in. I was never much for print films other than to
send pix of the kids home to grandparents; almost always
shot B/W (Kodak Tri-X, Plus-X or Ilford) otherwise.
Cartagena, Colombia
San Jose de Bocachica, Cartagena, Colombia
Do you want
me to post your email address? Any links about yourself or
your work?
Posting the email address is fine. rdtgray@pacifier.com There will
eventually be a link on the school’s web site regarding
a long-term photographic project my students and I are
working on. It’s just not up yet; I’ll let you know when
it happens.
