Missouri (BB 63) - Naval Cruise Book

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JANUARY 29, 1944: the launching N army of men, dressed in coveralls and orange safety helmets, shoved their way through the gates of the New York Naval Ship Yard on a cold January morning, on what appeared to be just another day., But on this icy winter Saturday, the first chapter in a history of a warship was to be written: lt was January 29, 191144: The U.S.S. Missouri was launched. ' Senator Harry Truman of the state of Missouri and his daughter Margaret, along with other celebrities and ranking officials, were on hand to oliiciate at the christening. The ceremony itself was to be brief. The uMighty Mo was destined for greater things and was anxious to get about them. She waited patiently through the good, but hurried speech by Senator Truman, who was battl- ing words against rapidly dropping tide, but momentum mounted as it came time for Miss Margaret to take her part. Miss Truman received the bottle of wine, and after the usual christening ritual, sent it smashing across the shining gray bow. For a dramatic moment it paused, and then the huge battleship slid majestically into the East River. The waters roared a turbulent welcome and the man-of-war was seaborne.

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HEN graying, smooth-faced Missouri Senator Harry Truman got up at the ship's 1944 launching and spoke about 4'Blazing bat- teries and sailing into Tokyo Bay the 26,000 shivering -persons present were glad he was hurrying. To the awaiting throng, a wind-whipped Brooklyn Navy Yard was no place for political flambouyancy. Awaiting the spectacular birth of a new battleship, it wanted not the flowery language of great expectations, but to get on with the show. They were watching his daughter Margaret with greater interest, for it was she who would smash the bottle of champagne across the gray steel bow. '44-'53 MISSOURI ..in peace ..and war Nine years-and a World War, a surrender ceremony, a couple of good will tours, and a Korean Conflict-later, the 26,000 wished they had listened more carefully. They wished he hadn't hurried so, through his speech, and that the tide he was racing had set a more leisurely pace. Even smashing a bottle of champagne didn't seem so important any more. The over- coated, be-gloved and bespectacled Missouri sena- tor had accurately prophecied history: The battle- ship U.S.S. Missouri did sail into Tokyo Bay. she was a ship of destiny, an American show place.

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C down the ways At nearby Newport, class rooms buzzed with activity. Hand picked men worked feverishly on their assignments with anxious anticipation over their new billets. Called from the Pacific, to be the ship's first skipper, was Captain William Mc- Combe Callaghan, who served as a midshipman on the first Missouri. The nucleus of the first crew was being formed. In the months that followed, engines hummed, guns barked and every moveable part was tested and retested. Performances were checked, its skilled crew worked with precision. The Missouri had lived up to the claims of its designers and to every expectation of the Navy. The 888 foot battleship steamed proudly back to New York. The weather was kinder. The month was June. The stage was set and the players ready. Many of the notables present at the launching were again on hand, including the Trumans. Rear Admiral Monroe Kelly, commandant of the Navy Yard placed the ship in commission and Captain Cal- laghan accepted the delivery of the vessel. The 58,000 tons of fighting power was officially a member of the fleet.