Pawcatuck (AO 108) - Naval Cruise Book

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Mounted on the bulkhead of the Cap- tain's Cabin is the PAWCATUCK's Toma- hawk, symbol of peace and good fortune for the ship. This historic symbol was presented to the tribal Indians that once ruled the land through which flows the Paw- catuck River by the Hudson Bay Company. lt is not only a ceremonial tomahawk, but also is a pipe of peace, symbolic of the lasting friendship between the tribes and the Hudson Bay Company. Its origin is reported to be about the year 1770. It was discovered and presented to the ship by Mr. Stanley Honour, brother of Captain Walter Honour, the 25th Captain of the PAWCATUCK. If and when the Smiling Indian is ever decommissioned, it is willed to the Naval Museum in Annapolis, Maryland, in remembrance of a great ship and the men that served on board.

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1 SHIP'S H1sToRY The USS PAWCATUCK QAO-1087 was commissioned in May of 1946, and is named for the Pawcatuck River which flows on the border between Connecticut and Rhode Island. Since original commissioning, she has carried her cargo of petroleum into many areas of the world. Following her initial duty in the Car- ibbean, PAWCATUCK moved into the At- lantic, an area that has become her own. Then in 1948 she made her first journey to the Mediterranean to join the Mighty Sixth Fleet. The PAWCATUCK has returned to the Mediterranean for Sixth Fleet duty at two year intervals since. Between Mediterranean cruises PAW- CATUCK participates in fleet exercises and has made courtesy visits to many ports and coastal cities of the Caribbean and Eastern United States. ln addition to these, PAWCATUCK has participated in several Midshipman cruises which have taken her to such places as Panama, Chile, and Scotland. During the fall of 1958, PAWCATUCK was standing by to support the United States efforts in Lebanon. During the Cuban Crisis of November 1962, PAW- CATUCK was deployed in support of U. S. Naval Forces operating in the Caribbean. In the fall of 1964, PAWCATUCK took part in Operation Master Stroke , aijoint NATO operation, and Slamex , apjoint U. S. Canadian Operation. During the first quarter of 1965, PAW- CATUCK operated in the Caribbean and visited Ponce, Puerto Rico, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic to support U. S. Forces located there: during the crisis in that area at that time. On 23 July 1965, PAWCATUCK began preparation for her JUMBO conversion and after transit of the St. Lawrence Seaway arrived at Lorain, Ohio, on 14 September 1965 to begin her conversion at American Shipbuilding Company. PAWCATUCK de- parted Lorain in November 1966 via the St, Lawrence Seaway to undergo her pre- liminary acceptance trials and to commence fitting out at the Boston Naval Shipyard, PAWCATUCK was again placed infull com- mission and rejoiced the active fleet in March 1967. In June, PAWCATUCK entered her Post Shakedown Availability period in May- port, Florida. lt was at this time that much yard work was accomplished on the ship in preparation for PAWCATUCK's antic- ipated deployment. By mid October 1967, PAWCATUCK completed her yard workand commenced operations with the U. S.. ,At-. lantic Fleet. 1 4 On 29 January 1968, PAWCATUCK deployed to the Mediterranean and serviced 300 ships of the U. S. Sixth Fleet and NATO Allies while participating in Exer- cises Fairgame lV , Dawn Patrol'f, F LAPEX , and many small fleet exercises. PAWCATUCK returned to Mayport, Florida on 6 August proudly displaying her new Battle Efficiency - E , fa result of hard work and keen competition with other Ser- vice Force shipsb. During the remainder of 1968, PAWCATUCK serviced units of the APOLLO 7 recovery Force and other Atlantic Fleet ships on minor training exercises. , On 12 March 1969, PAWCATUCK de- ployed to the Mediterranean and serviced 331 ships of the U. S. Sixth Fleet and NATO Allies while participating in Exer- cises f'Dawn Patrol , FLAPEX ,andmany small fleet exercises. PAWCATUCK re- turned to Mayport, Florida on 12 October proudly displaying her new Battle Efficiency E with a hash mark. PAWCATUCK's home port is Mayport, Florida and she is in Service Squadron FOUR. II I 'I-III I yytt ,.. .. I . I ... . I 4 . . .. .. . I ... .. . . . .,. 1 h

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