MAIN DECK (00 Level) Ward Room
The Wardroom area was the eleven officers' dining area and lounge. The officers ate meals in two shifts. The Wardroom mess was financed by contributions from each officer. Their meals were cooked separately from the enlisted men by the officer's cook in the Wardroom pantry.

Prior to World War II, the Wardroom had an atmosphere similar to a gentleman's club, with formal meals, proper attire, and a strict code of conduct. The war necessitated a relaxation of the formalities, as meals were often eaten hurriedly by officers more concerned with winning a war than observing etiquette.

The Wardroom had other functions. The officer's staterooms were cramped, and the large table was a good place to spread out paperwork.

The Wardroom also served as the main battle dressing station at general quarters. The doctor was stationed here to wait for possible casualties. The long table served as an operating table and was equipped with a surgical light and emergency lighting overhead. For this function, the Slater includes a medical cabinet and an autoclave in this room.

Note that the Slater's Wardroom has been enlarged with the removal of the port side officers' stateroom. Future restoration plans include the reconstruction of this space.

World War II Era Pictures
Ward Room PictureWard Room Picture
Current USS Slater Images: The pictures below have been edited to provide a wider angle view of a small compartment or area than from a normal picture. Pictures have been distorted in perspective to match an adjoining picture, and double foreground images from paralax have been edited as needed.
current Ward Room to Port . current Ward Room to St'b'd
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Back to Main Deck Plan		DEHM, USS Slater DE-766
last modified: 24 April 2007(mjs)
URL:http://www.ussslater.org/decks/main/ward-rm.html