Philippine Sea (CVA 47) - Naval Cruise Book

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I am the United States Ship Philippine SEA CCVA 4171 My keel was laid at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts on I9 August 19441. Construction was hurried along as rapidly as possible so that I might be ready for the long awaited invasion of Japan. However, my older sisters had been very busy during my construction period, and V-.I Day found me receiving my final fittings, thus rendering it impossible for me to be in Tokyo Bay on that memorable day in September 19415. I am of the Essex class carrier, and am next to the youngest of fourteen. My flight deck is long enough for two football games to be played simultaneously with room to spare for the spectators. Though a trim 33,000 tons, I am not awkward. My four generators put out enough electricity to supply a city the size of Coronado, California. My beam is just under I00 feet and my top speed is in exeess of 30 knots. I

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neil gtk llilled talflff' eil? t and l N11 1 At ...lik I am about as tall as a ten-story building. With a crew of nearly 3000 I am a sea-going city, with every convenience of one. There is a post office, hospital, theatre, cobbler shop, tailor shop, soda fountain, laundry and many other such shops contained within my hull. I was christened the USS PHILPPINE SEA by Mrs. A. B. Chandler, wife of the then Kentucky Senator, on 5 September 1945. My big day finally arrived on II may 19416 when I was commissioned at the U. S. Naval Drydocks, South Boston, Massachusetts. Captain Delbert S. Cornwell, veteran of many Pacific Campaigns, was my first Commanding Officer. In June, I proceeded to Quonset Point, Bhode Island, for the initial training of my new crew, and in September I began a shakedown cruise to the Caribbean. Upon returning from this cruise, I was ordered back to Boston to prepare for my first major assignment-the Navy7s Antartic Expedition, Operation Highjumpf, During this expedition I served as Admiral Byrd's flagship. Upon completion of the highly successful expedition I returned to the United States, and after a short rest was deployed to the Mediterranean. I had become an extensive traveler by then, and November 19417 found me once again exploring new territory, this time around the lower rim of the Artic Circle in cold weather operations to test my planes and equipment. Operating again from my base in Quonset Point, Rhode Island, Ihelped qualify carrier pilots. During the winter of I949 I took part in extensive fleet exercises in the Atlantic and Caribbean. I was busy during April and May with demonstration cruises for guests of the Secretary of the Navy, the Armed Forces Industrial College, the War College and the