General R M Blatchford (AP 153) - Naval Cruise Book

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lAbovel The Blatchford on Launching Day at Richmond. l iLower left? l-lull l9 in Pre-Launching days in Basin 5. iLower right? Mrs. William Anderson sponsors the Blatchforcl June, 27, l9-44

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:3?355itT i'Z?IE?H'?5li EWW T 7?i :i:...:'.:- ..- . N I ff XTX .. W2 ami 4 f , A ' lAboivei A cross section of devastated Manila. iLower lefti Part of the Blatchford Liberty Party fraternizes in Manila. iLower centeri Native fisherman on the Pasig River. lLower rightl The Jones Landing, starting-out point for liberty parties. THE BLATCHFORD'S WAR DIARY C GETTING READY 26 JANUARY TO 5 FEBRUARY-COMMISSIONING AND FITTING OUT-On 26 January, in a short but impressive ceremony at Richmond, California, Hull No. I9 of Kaiser Yard No. 3 became the U. S. S. General R. M. Blatchford of the Unite.d States Navy. Official time of commissioning, I 3I 5. At I448 underway for Naval Supply Depot, Oakland, arriving at I62I. 27-30 January busy taking on commis- sioning allowance, stores and provisions. Tough job. No liberty. On 3I January depermed at Pier No. 27, San Fran- cisco. Five days spent in San Francisco Bay at various drills, tests, and exercises preparing for the Shakedown Cruise. Liberty difficult on account of rough water and few boats. 5 TO 7 FEBRUARY--UNDERWAY, SAN FRANCISCO TO SAN PEDRO-Underway for San Pedro at I556 on 5 February. Sea rough, no sea legs yet, result seasickness prevalent. Plenty of drills on the way. Anchored in San Pedro Bay at I446 on 7 February. 7 TO 22 FEBRUARY-SHAKEDOWN AT SAN PEDRO -Drills, tests, exercises, inspections, maneuvers, training, followed by more drills, tests, exercises, inspections, man- euvers, training. What liberty there was was good. Passed with flying colors. 23 TO 24 FEBRUARY - UNDERWAY, SAN PEDRO TO SAN FRANCISCO-Left San Pedro at 0740 on 23 Febru- ary. More drills, more rough weather, more seasickness. Dropped the hook in Anchorage No. I2, San Francisco Bay, at I659 on 24 February. No post shakedown availability. Ready for work. 24 FEBRUARY TO I2 MARCH --SAN FRANCISCO -- Anchored in the bay until 27 February then docked at Pier No. 27, San Francisco, for post Shakedown alterations and repairs. On 8 March shifted to Pier 3, Fort Mason, to load Army cargo and Navy supplies. Army advance party came aboard at l4l5 on Il March. Underway for Pier I5 at I037 on I2 March, docked at III5, commenced loading passengers at I305, finished at i630 and at I808 under- way for Finschafen, New Guinea, and points West. FIRST TRIP I2 TO 29 MARCH - UNDERWAY FROM SAN FRAN- CISCO TO FINSCHAFEN-Underway all this time. Crossed equator for first time late in evening of 2I March. Lots of brand new Shellbacks who were spared the rigors of a proper initiation by plentitude of passengers and lack of space. Given fancy certificates anyway. Crossed Interna- tional Date Line on 23 March near Nukufeatu Atoll of the Ellice Group, creating a six day week with no Saturday and confusing all wives who were promised a letter every day. On 27 March passed close by Guadalcanal. Arrived at Fins- chafen at 0640 on 29 March and stood by for orders. The orders were proceed to Hollandia. 29 TO 30 MARCH-+UNDERWAY FROM FINSCHAFEN TO HOLLANDIA-Underway for Hollandia at 0930 on 29 March and entered Humboldt Bay next day at I230. An- chored off Hollandia at I340, dropping the hook for first time 'in seventeen days. 30 MARCH TO 2 APRIL-HOLLANDIA, NEW GUINEA -At 0846 on 3I March got underway for Army Dock No. 2 and disembarked a few passengers shortly thereafter. At I455 replaced them with passengers bound for the Philip- pines. Next day took on fuel after leaving dock andltying up alongside a tanker. Underway for anchorage at l7l I and anchored at I743. On 2 April some Red Cross Workers de- barked at 0840. At 0856 underway for Levte, P. l., in a slow convoy of which our Captain was Commodore. Close call for the Red Cross Workers. 2 TO I2 APRIL- UNDERWAY, HOLLANDIA TO MA- NILA--On 3 April at 0538 main engines stopped due to power failure. At 0545 lost all electric power except light- ing and telephones, due to overflowing head flooding elec- trical panel board. At 0708 power restored and at 09l I re- joined convoy. Good black gang. On 6 April destination changed from Leyte to Manila. Destination changed but speed of convoy didn't. On 9 April at 0652 passed Desola- tion Point. Well named. On I2 April sighted Luzon at I006 and Corregidor at l0I 5. Anchored in Manila Bay at I5I2.