Albemarle (AV 5) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 85 text:

..jmeoiooe v- ' ylidavs, Limbo Dance SAN JUAN is the capital city of Puerto Rico. It is located on an inlet in the northeastern coast and connected by a bridge with its large suburb, Santurce, on the main island. It was founded in 1521. From 1625 to 1797 it was often attacked by the British, Dutch and French, but always suc- ceeded in repelling the invaders. The old part of the city is enclosed by midieval walls and defended by old fortresses, including Morro Castle (now Fort Brooke) at the entrance to the harbor. It has been the seat of the island government throughout the Spanish and American regimes with the ex- ception of the few years before it was founded. It has many old buildings including La Frotaleza (1529), residence of the Governor, and Casa Blanca (1527) home of the commanding officer U. S. Army forces in Puerto Rico. Fort Brooke is the headquarters for the Antilles department of the U.S. Army. Also, in San Juan are located the U.S. Naval Station and the headquarters of the Carib- bean Sea Frontier Commander,

Page 84 text:

OPERATION RESCUE After completing operations with the USS ALBEMARLE during Operation Springboard, the sea- planes of squadron VP-44 returned to Norfolk, Virginia. WHiile in flight the starboard engine of one of the planes caught on fire and was forced to land on the open sea. With its one remaining engine, the plane taxied in calm seas to Grand Turk Island, Bahamas, some 200 miles away. At Grand Turk the USS ALBEMARLE refueled the plane and then sailed with her to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. When they arrived in Guantanamo Bay, the seaplane had taxied about 520 miles in two and one-half days, the longest taxie run ever recorded by a seaplane. The Marlin seaplane was left at Guantanamo Bay, and at the end of Operation Springboard was hoisted aboard the ALBEMARLE (as indicated in the above pictures) and brought back to its home base, Norfolk. I the Army fo fanSea

Page 86 text:

BEACH