Trouble in Short Pants

Sperry, now defunct, was the prime contractor for our navigation system. They supplied two field engineers, one for the NAVDAC computer and another to support the Loran C radio navigator. Nobody saw much of the computer guy as he stayed in his stateroom most of the time. The more social Mr. Loran, however, could be found everywhere on the ship. He appeared frequently in survey control, my kuleana (area), to check on his machines, sometimes in the middle of the night.

He and I used to get along pretty well with some minor scuffles. Sometimes he didn't like the way his equipment was maintained and operated. As noted elsewhere, the receivers were notorious for giving erroneous readings due to ten microsecond (lane) slippage. The navy guys applied work arounds not approved by Mr. Loran. 

We used to go out to dinner in different ports. Being something of a gourmand, he chose some good places to eat. Being short in stature, he was sensitive about this as well as being rather self absorbed. Navy people learn quickly to get along with others or at least try to tolerate them. Mr. Loran, otherwise a fine fellow, had not learned tolerance.

The oceanographer on duty in survey control one night was something of a joker. He was always cheerful despite having a pretty crappy job. I was attending to my Loran receivers. The door was supposed to be kept locked but we got tired of getting up when those without keys knocked to get in.

Mr. Loran popped into the room. The joker Mr. O exclaimed "here comes trouble in short pants". I cringed, expecting the reaction. Enraged, the diminutive Mr. Loran stared at him, smoke coming out of his ears. No one spoke. They avoided each other thereafter and never spoke again.