Subscribe
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD – For over two centuries the U.S. Navy has operated across the globe, each ship documenting its every move. The meticulous time keeping and tracking of a ship’s events and movements provide the Navy with detailed records for historical safekeeping. Entries made 24 hours a day, seven days a week without fail can get rather repetitive, so in keeping with the holiday spirit the Navy has a time-honored tradition – the New Year’s Deck Log poem – to add some humanity into this fiercely regulated documentation process.
Deck logs are official records that register required reports, significant events and activities aboard a ship, and are maintained for administrative and historical purposes.
Every year, Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) spotlights the most creative deck log poems in an annual contest. Sailors from across the fleet are encouraged to submit their most creative deck log poems, turning the usually formal records of ship activities into vibrant and imaginative expressions of naval life.
Dating back to 1929, every January 1st, the officer of the deck or another designated individual on a U.S. Navy vessel, may write the customary deck log entry in poetic style to mark the transition to the New Year. The tradition of the New Year's Deck Log Poem allows Sailors to inject a little bit of humor, creativity, and personal expression into their duty of maintaining the deck log. It provides a way for the crew to bond with their fellow shipmates and celebrate the holiday spirit even when they are far from home and loved ones.
“The Navy has many traditions spanning its 250-year-existence, and over the past 100 years, the New Year's Deck Log Poem has become one of them,” said Alex Ponti, the Deck Log coordinator at NHHC. “It’s important that within this ever-changing, fast-paced world that the contest allows Sailors a chance to be creative and express themselves in an official government document that normally sticks to very formulaic language. It's a break from the monotony of everyday ship life. Deck Logs are a permanent record, so the poems written within them, will last as long as the log does. It provides the author the chance to make their mark within the 250 year history of the Navy.”
While the officer of the deck is often the most common author of these poems, it's not uncommon for other crew members, especially those with a talent for poetry or a knack for creative writing, to contribute or collaborate on the New Year's Deck Log Poem. This tradition fosters a sense of camaraderie and allows Sailors to collectively celebrate the holiday in a unique and meaningful way.
As 2024 ends, it is in the tradition of the New Year's Deck Log Poem to find a moment of reflection and unity. There is a lot to look forward to as the Navy enters a year in which it is celebrating its 250th birthday. The New Year's Deck Log Poem has allowed for the deck log to transcend its role as a simple record, becoming a cherished and enduring expression of the Navy's heritage and tradition.
"In the lines of the Navy’s New Year's Deck Log Poems, we find a unique tapestry of resilience, camaraderie, and tradition, woven together by the men and women who serve with unwavering dedication,” said Sam Cox, director of Naval History and Heritage Command, Rear Adm. (retired). “As we boldly go and plot our course for the New Year, we are hopeful that this cherished naval tradition continues to be a source of unity and inspiration, reminding us that even in the most challenging of times, the spirit of the U.S. Navy perseveres.”
To be eligible for the competition:
- Entries must be from a commissioned U.S. Navy vessel deployed or in port.
- Entries must be submissions to the ship’s official deck log.
- Entries must be written as the first entry on January 1, 2025.
- Entries must be unclassified.
- All paygrades active and reserve are eligible.
First to third place winners will be announced in April, National Poetry Month. The first-place author will receive a piece of historic copper sheathing from USS Constitution.
Submissions will only be accepted by email at nhhc-decklogs@us.navy.mil. Scanned PDFs of the deck log entry are the preferred form of digital submission.
For more information about the deck log completion, visit NHHC at www.history.navy.mil.
NHHC, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for preserving, analyzing, and disseminating US naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through our nation's history and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC comprises many activities, including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, ten museums, the USS Constitution repair facility, and the historic ship Nautilus.
| Date Taken: | 12.30.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2024 16:09 |
| Story ID: | 488424 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 131 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Naval History and Heritage Command Announces the 2025 New Year’s Deck Log Poem Contest, by PO2 Maci Sternod, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
