Butte (AE 27) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIP’S INSIGNIA The dominam figure of the insignia is a silhouette re- presenting a modern ammunition ship. The silhouetted helicopter represents our vertical replenishment capability. The butte in the background is emblematic of our name and relation with Butte, Montana. The chain which encloses the plaque is symbolic of our vital link with the combatant forces and BUTTE's capability of ammunition delivery around the world. The four stars in the bottom half of the circle represents BUTTE's administrative assignment to Commander, Service Squadron FOUR; the two above, her primary assignment under the operational control of Commander, SECOND Fleet. The total of six stars is is emblematic of her primary area of deployment, the Medi- terranean, under the operational control of Commander SIXTH Fleet. The color scheme is elementary. The red background underneath the stars is indicative of the ever present danger in handling explosive materials. The yellow link of chain is symbolic of the caution used in handling ammunition and of BUTTE's ability to be on any horizon for delivery to the fleet. Blue colored below the ship’s silhouette repre- sents the sea. BUTTE-MONTANA’S COPPERLAND BUTTE is nestled in the Rockies next to the Continental Divide. On entering BUTTE from the east or north, one comes upon a breathtaking view of America’s greatest copper mine in the city that copper built. Viewed at night, the lights of the city and the industrial complex appear as though millions of jewels were scattered on a velvet carpel, each striving to outshine all others. BUTTE traces it’s history from a pioneer gold camp to a booming silver era. The later discovery of vast deposits of copper ore earned it the title of “The Richest Hill On Earth.’’ Its growth has been energetic and proud. Its people have come from all corners of the globe and each nationality has left a part of their countries tradition which has been moled into one thriving city.

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Cr $un c. The Lonely Bull acquired its name by accident. Yet it is an appropriate name. Traveling independently, it often moved about with the herd of other Sixth Fleet ships, but it was never part of it. Its job was to move alone — to go from station to station, from point to point on the great Mediterranean prairie, joining the herd occasionally but then again leaving it. Because it did move about so much, it removed the herd's dependence on shore bases. In order to sustain themselves, the eagles and stallions of the fleet did not have to risk returning to land when danger arose. In- stead, the Lonely Bull was roaming the range delivering their needed supplies on the line and at prearranged rendezvous. On the surface there is a beauty to her — not the beauty of sleek and flowing lines — for that she does not have — but the beauty derived from inner strength. For within her lay sheer power — not only that found in the many bombs, missiles and torpedoes she car- ries, but also that found in the pride, courage and esprit de corps of her officers and crew. The power of the Lonely Bull. THE STORY OF THE LONELY BULL

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HISTORY USS BUTTE, now having completed her first deployment to the Mediter- ranean, is one of the Navy’s newest ammunition ships. Her mission is to deliver to units of the -fleet at sea the bombs, missiles and other ordnance required by the Navy’s ships. To enable her to carry out this mis- sion the vessel is equipped with nine replenishments stations as well as a land- ing deck and hangar bay for two helicop- ters. Each replenishment station is fully modern, having what is called “Ram Ten- sioners”, devices which allow BUTTE to maintain the same amount of tension on a wire line between herself and a ship alongside despite rolls, swells and other influencey on the movement of the ship. The system permits BUTTE to shuttle palleted loads of ammunition across the open water to another ship in the mini- mum of time. BUTTE was christened and launch- ed 7 August 1967 in Quincy, Mass, and commissioned 14 December 1968 at the Boston Naval Shipyard. The second in the line ofKILAUEA Class Ammunition Ships, she is described by some as a “floating ammunition depot.” Upon completion of an extensive fitting out period in Boston, BUTTE moved to her homeport in Norfolk, Virginia for the first time on Nov. 17, 1969. Between December 1969 and February 1970, BUTTE made two cruises to the Carib- bean, both in connection with “shakedown training” at the U. S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The trips included several milestones: BUTTE’s first practice replenishment with a ship alongside, USS SPRINGFIELD, on 4 December 1969, her first underway refueling evolution; on 13 December 1969 with USS CALOOSAHATCHEE; and her first real under- way replenishment on 28 January 1970 with the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA. Besides her replenishment systems, which are her major feature, BUTTE has four twin 3” 50 gun mounts and associated fire control equipment. She is 564 feet long and 81 feet wide. She has a full load displacement of 18,000 tons and a full load draft of 28 feet. BUTTE also has a passive roll stabilization tank to provide a steady platform for handling ammunition under adverse sea conditions and a small fleet of fork lift trucks to facilitate safe, rapid and efficient handling of explosive cargo. Extensive fire fighting features arc in- cluded to minimize the hazards involved in handling and stowage of dangerous munitions. BUTTE is actually the second Navy vessel to bear that name. The first, APA 68, was a Gellian Class Transport which served extensively in the Pacific during World War II and was finally disposed of by sinking after surviving the atomic tests at Bikini and Kwajalein.