California (CGN 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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r USS CALIFORNIA: The Legacy of a Name rhe second CALIFORNIA, a 503-foot armored cruiser, was launched in ian Francisco in 1904. In 1918, the ship, which was renamed the SAN DIEGO was sunk by a German submarine off the coast of Long island. T -a - L The fourth CALIFORNIA was a 58-foot yacht commis- sioned in 1917, and owned by the San Francisco Bar Pilot ' s Association. BB-44 The largest ship to bear the state name was the battleship ;AL1F0RNIA, BB-44. The ship was commissioned on 10 August 1921 nd for 19 years served as flagship of the Pacific Fleet (1931-1941). It ' s haracteristics were: length, 624 feet; displacement, 32,300 tons; speed II knots; and complement, 57 officers and 1,026 enlisted men. The ship was armed with 12 14 50 guns, and two 21-inch ubmerged torpedo tubes. On Sunday, December 7, 1941, CALIFORNIA was berthed in Battleship Row at Pearl Harbor. During the Japanese aerial attack, the ALIFORNIA took three torpedo hits, causing the ship to list 8° ' o to ort. By Thurs., the CALIFORNIA was sitting on the harbor ' s floor with • nly its superstructure above the surface. in 1942, the CALIFORNIA was refloated. After repairs, the ship eparted for Puget Sound Navy Yard, Wash., for major reconstruction, he CALIFORNIA returned to active service in 1944. During WWII, the CALIFORNIA earned seven battle stars. It larticipated in shore bombardments during the Saipan, Guam, Tiniar perations, and in the Battle of Surigao Strait. The CALIFORNIA was placed in commission reserve in 1946 iecommissioned in 1947, and sold for scrap in 1959. The first naval ship named for the state of California was a 313-foot screw sloop launched in 1867 and decommissioned in 1873. It iEinnittrnri A 179-foot yacht was the third ship to bear the name CALIFORNIA. In 1920, the ship was sold to a Florida lumber company. Battleship CALIFORNIA.

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c Ffanlil COMMANDING OFFICER USS CALIFORNIA (CGN-36) 20 November 1981 To the World ' s Finest Crew If you could combine all the Navy recruiting cliches such as It ' s not just a job, it ' s an adventure, Join the Navy and see the world, Pride and Professionalism, Heritage, It ' s an education, and Scholar-ship, they could be summed up as CALIFORNIA ' 81 CREW - World ' s Finest. I have been very proud of your accomplishments this year. This book reflects many of the highlights and remembrances. IVhat you did that is difficult to show in pictures and describe in words is the hallmark of our present day Navy - READINESS. The E ' s and hash marks which rightly adorn CALIFORNIA and are proudly displayed in the Enlisted Dining Facility are indicators of your readin ess, which in this past year you have literally displayed around the world. CALIFORNIA has further enhanced her professional reputation as the World ' s Finest Warship because of her crew. I salute you - the Navy ' s highest accolade of excellence is yours - Well Donel I I in1i Acad destr inju prior ScliO( (or ni Ui) C Scien 1%4. Vallei fi oi th when lepoi I J. SMITH taptain, U.S. Navy 8