Blakely (DE 1072) - Naval Cruise Book

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JCDHN W. BITCJFF CDR. USN ' COIVIIVIANDING OFFICER

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,sf '44, BLAKELY KDE-10721 KEEL LAID June 8, 1968 LENGTH 438 feet LAUNCHED August 23, 1969 BEAM 47 feet COMMISSIONED July 18, 1970 DISPLACEMENT ' 4100 tons

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t..A.,.,,f,.a.s.l. V. .., K ,QI ....4..Q... .- .' - ..... .. . lu THE PRESTIGE, PRIVILEGE AND THE BUFKDEN OF COMMAND Only a seaman realizes to what great extent an en- tire ship reflects the personality and ability of one individual, her Commanding Officer. To a landsman this is not understandable and sometimes it is even diffi- cult for us to understand. But it is so! A ship at sea is a distinct world in herself and in consideration of the protracted and distant operations of the fleet units the Navy must place great power, responsibility, and trust in the hands of those leaders chosen for command. In each ship there is one man who, in the hour of emergency or peril at sea, can turn to no other man. There is one who alone is ultimately responsible for the safe navigation, engineering performance, accurate gunfire, and morale of his ship. He is the Commanding Officer. He is the ship. This is the most difficult and demanding assignment in the Navy. There is not an instant during his tour as Commanding Officer that he can escape the grasp of command responsibility. His privileges in view of his obligations are almost ludicrously small, never-the-less Command is the spur which has given the navy its great leaders. It is a duty which most richly deserves the highest, time-honored title of the seafaring world .... CAPTAIN.