Forrest Royal (DD 872) - Naval Cruise Book

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OPERATION INLAND SEAS The INLAND SEAS CRUISE was made possible in 1954 with the signing of the Wiley-Dondero Act establishing the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. This bill was an agreement between the United States and Canada for the construction of the necessary locks and channels to enable deep draft ship to transit all five of the Great Lakes. Construction was started in late 1954. The task ahead was fantastic. Now called the worlds greatest engineering feat, it involved excavating millions of tons of dirt and rocks, removing whole islands, relocation of towns, constructing new channels and locks. After spending nearly one billion dollars the St. Lawrence Seaway was unofficially opened to deep draft traffic in early 1959. The FORREST ROYAL was one of the ships selected for participation in the formal opening of the seaway by the President and Queen Elizabeth II. The presence of Cana- dian, British and U. S. Warships in the inland waters of the Seaway and the Great Lakes was a historic event made possible by a special arrangement worked out between the U. S. and Canadian Governments. The arrangement, limited to this operation, waived the conditions of the Rush-Bagot Agreement of 1817. The ROYAL considered it an honor to participate in this great event. The opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway to large ocean going vessels introduced the navy ships to an entirely new coast line on the vast inland seas. The Great Lakes cover an area of some 95,000 square miles with a coast line of 8300 miles. On 2 June 1959 the ROYAL got underway from Newport to pick up midshipmen at Annapolis and then proceed to the INLAND SEAS, to show thousands of people the very best of the Navy. The cruise was both a training cruise for several hunderd midshipmen and a cruise to give the people of the midwest a first-hand look at the Navy. For years the friendly people had been sending their sons to the Navy but until this cruise the Navy had never sailed to the midwest to let the Fathers and Mothers see the kind of lives their sons lead in the Navy. What was the trip like to the ROYAL? Let ' s take a look. The crowd standing along the lock on the Seaway Canal watched the small battle grey warship heading toward them, and moved closer for a better look. They waved, cheered, took pictures. As we moved steadily up the St. Lawrence Seaway, through channels and canals and lock after lock, sometimes with just inches to spare, finally emerging into the open waters of the Great Lakes, the crowds gave the same reception all along the route. Cars lined up along the banks. Girls waved, people chatted with us, sometimes giving us coffee during the long nights. Sleep was sporadic, sea detail was set for long hours but everyone kept their good humor and high spirits. It was a cruise for all hands to remember for years to come, tough and exciting. 1 i

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SUPPLY m nil DEPARTMENT 12

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UNDERWAY NEWPORT TO ANNAPOLIS Underway, shift colors, destination GREAT LAKES. The unlucky ships left behind Pier 1 Newport. Clear of the pier, all ahead two-thirds. Open seas, smooth sailing, so all ahead full. Arrival Annapolis, waiting to load the Midship- men. Liberty for the Privileged few. 1 1