Santa Fe (CL 60) - Naval Cruise Book

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Mz'nuJ suporslruclure, llze SANTA FE genlbf eases into her own element, .fall water. Six months lofer, she would join float. N 7 JUNE 1942, the light cruiser SANTA FE, the Qixjff fifth of the Cleveland class, was launched in the T New York Shipbuilding Company Yards, Camden, New Jersey. Miss Caroline Chavez of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was sponsor of the ship and was aided by her uncle, U. S. Senator Dennis Chavez. Beneath the main- mast of the new cruiser were placed rare, old coins dona- ted by people of Santa Fe and men of the New York Yard. Miss Chavez christened the ship with water from the Santa Fe River, which had been blessed by the Archbishop of New MeXico's capital city. Although some elements of the crew assembled in October, the bulk of the men did not arrive until No- vember. Of the twelve-hundred man complement, at least three-fourths had never been to sea-a great deal was expected of these. However, 350 battle-wise veterans of Midway and the Coral Sea-men from the ill-fated, 18 , CAMDEN-BUILT LIGHT CRUISER SANTA FE BEGINS I-IER JOURNEY ASTORIA, QUINCY and VINCENNES-provided the nucleus and Naval know how for the SANTA FE's crew. I Duty in Philly was the best and everyone was en- joying it too much to think of the shipls imminent de- parture for Pacific waters. Finally, however, the fare- Wells could be postponed no longer. The last minute yard jobs had been completed and the ship was ready to get underway. The SANTA FE reported for duty on 28 February, 1943, six months ahead of schedule. She proceeded through the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor, arriving on 23 lVIarch after a brief stop in San Pedro. Carrying an extra load ofammunition and in company with three de- stroyers, the SANTA FE went north from Pearl to replace the SALT LAKE CITY, which had been hit chasing the Northern Japanese Fleet. I 'WWWTTQ se l .

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fa 1 Sponsor Caroline Chavez displays rnighfy right as thevlraditional ootfle is smashed across SANTA FE's nose. Oppositefrom usual ehampagne tha! aceompanies shzp launchzngs, plain 'waterfrom Santa Fe River was used at fhis eeremony. W ,f ,Q ,w '. V , f ,X A , sf 4 . f, M' ,, ,, 1 'f s Q ,ef fi , Q, Efnployee W' Carnden's New York Ship adding rare Spanish-American With plate holled in place over fhe lucky pieces, main mast is lowered into eoins conlrihated hyfellow workers lo lhose sentfrorn Santa Fe, New Aflexico position. The SANTA FE reportedfor duly 20 nzonlhs and 23 days afler lo he placed beneath the main masl. keel was laid, a new record. 19