Quincy (CA 71) - Naval Cruise Book

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Happy New Year 1945 ' U. S. S. QUINCY The Great Cruiser Quincy One boiler is puffing , Nine line to her side The ship's power to make A Lies quietly sleeping Number two's on the line And riding the tide. Quite a load it must take. The rain drizzles mournfully SOFA is in the Vixen The hour black and late Yard and District craft near a score To port looms the vast hulk Material condition 'syokev islset Cf Pier eightyfeight. A Armament Boston Base condition Four, ' Alongside to starboard In New York City's great harbor Three grey hounds are snubbed New Year's whistles lent tone Sattevlee, Herndon and Shubrick Services received from the dock Tin sides streaked and rubbed. V Fresh water and telephone. The Quimii' passes the statue of Liberty as she steams into New York Harbor. i323 i I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Q I I I

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PRESIDE TIAL CRUISE Once again the Quincy was destined to write her hisf tory across the waters of the Atlantic. But not through deeds of valor or fighting skill was the name of the ship to be remembered this time. Her assignment was to carry President Roosevelt to the Big Three meeting at Yalta and return him safely to the U. S. Previously the ship had had a part in winning the warg now it was to have a part in winning the peace. Back in the days when news of this latest project was just a trickle of unpromising scuttlebutt, the Quincy was in Boston Navy Yard undergoing repairs. She was made ready for sea. Then measurements were made for the spef cial equipment and furnishings necessary for a traveling President and his party. This work was soon finished, but the powers of the world were not ready yet for their meet' ing, so the ship steamed to Chesapeake Bay where the crew could practice its warring skill while awaiting call. In December the Quincy was blessed with orders to head for New York. With the ship tied up to Pier 88 in Manhatf tan, the crew spent a happy, carefree Christmas. When the holidays were over, the returned to Norfolk to continue her drills and install the equipment necessary for the impending trip. On the afternoon of January 22 the ship pulled into pier 6, Newport News, and a new chapter in the history of the Quincy began. Already the army had the pier well screened from intruders. Rigged in readiness for the Chief THE PRESIDENTS BIRTHDAY On January 30, while enroute to the Yalta Conference aboard the Quincy, the President celebrated his sixty- third birthday. Back in the bake shop the day had been one of intense excitement. Never before had the ship's bakers been asked to turn out a cake for a President. But the result was a bakery masterpiece. During the dinner celebration Mr. Roosevelt cut the cake as he received the congratulations of his closest friends and advisers. Later the crew was invited to help itself to the cake. Not often do men of the sea share the refreshments of a President's birthday party. The crew contributed S200 to the National Fund for Infantile Paralysis as a fitting present to a generous man. Executive were the special gangways. A short time later a three and onefhalf ton specially armored olive drab Lin' coln arrived. It was hoisted aboard and secured for sea in the hangar. The marine detachment began patrolling the pier. Qutside the army stood continuous guard. Nothing could be overlooked in safeguarding the life of one who meant so much to the well being of the world. Onto the dock rolled the Presidential special at 0600, January 23. Quarters were sounded at 0800, but the crew was ordered to fall in below decks so as to keep sightseers from topside. By 0830 the valuable party was aboard with all its baggage. Immediately the special sea and anchor detail was set, and the ship sailed for parts unknown. Impressive was the list of persons aboard the Quincy for the trip. It included President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mrs. Anna Roosevelt Boettiger, Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy, Vice Admiral Wilson Brown, Vice Admiral Ross McIntyre, Major General Watson, Justice James Byrnes, the Honorable Stephen Early, and the Honorable Edward Flynn. News finally reached the crew that the first port of entry would be Valetta, Malta, and that the estimated time of arrival would be 1000, February 2. The trip was an exciting undertaking for the men of the Quincy, but it passed uneventfully. The organization was well planned and flexible enough to allow for any unexpected changes. All the way across the ship was closely screened by three destroyers. Because of their shorter cruising radius at the U31