USS Columbia - Naval Cruise Book

Page 11 text:

A perfect straddle. Chesapeake Bay, 1942 Culebra Cut — Panama Canal

Page 10 text:

USS Columbia sliding down the ways at Camden, N. J. plaintive cries of Where is bunk number?? emanated from below decks. At 0900 the same day, the Gem, under tug power, was shifted across the Delaware River and berthed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Here, more new members of the crew joined the ship and a marine detachment came aboard followed by an aviation unit. The order All hands to Quarters sounded presently and the crew mustered on the fantail of the ship for commissioning ceremonies. Rear Admiral A. E. Watson, USN, then Commandant of the Fourth Naval District, presented com- mand of the ship to Captain W. A. Heard, USN. Captain Heard read his orders and upon assum- ing command, directed his Executive Officer, Commander H. E. Gearing, USN, to Set the Watch. With this procedure completed, the COLUMBIA became the USS COLUMBIA, a commissioned ship in the United States Navy. Certain installations of a military nature remained to be added, however, before the Gem could be sent to sea. These installations were rushed to completion by employees of the Philadelphia Navy Yard and members of the crew. In a matter of weeks the COLUMBIA was ready for her post repair trial. A Sunday was chosen and the trial consisted of a trip down the Delaware River to the Chesapeake Bay and back to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. All goes well was the professional opinion upon return and a prospective date for departure on a shakedown cruise was set. In September, 1942, the COLUMBIA de- parted from the Philadelphia Navy Yard for her intensive training and shakedown in the Chesapeake Bay. The task of preparing a green crew to man the vessel ' s guns, machin- ery, and planes, was a large job made larger by the limitations of time. To many seasoned veterans the shakedown was uninteresting, but to the large number of recruits aboard everyday brought new experiences such as launching planes from the ship, firing the AA weapons, the main and secondary batteries, executing the various drills (not to forget the Abandon Ship Drill), and running to the sound of the General Alarm or Beeper — an alarm the crew little realized would regulate their lives during the days and nights of the months to come. While engaged in training, the COLUMBIA anchored off the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and weekend liberties were granted. Many of the crew visited the Capitol of the United States, while those with families or girls in the vicinity made hurried trips for what they felt might be the last visit with their loved ones. Captain W. A. Heard, USN

Page 12 text:

Into the forward area.