California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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'PN .fit rhmfa. :IEW . 'fm wig! its we ZW . as wif . Q amiga We 'Nam him .M N rm, N A 8 F1567 3525.752- . , .Ir ll in .mf ,,. mi-'fer 'R 3.. ' Nflsrvr , WH: ' iff .sux K-EE: 'A 4-'fvfcirr f e.'gr,. 1'-i fl: T323 fr: -ia: K ' ,wr . Sw - .rr .5 . -:i - ..... 'Y-aka .i 4' 'Kwai .lr- .ri if-lf' . ,,. L .RH KET, -Q-.r ia ' rar wil: l EPILOGUE THE Loo OF THE USS CALIFORNIA IBB-442 Anchored in berth A-l, San Pedro har- bor, in seven and one-half fathoms of water with thirty fathoms of chain out on the star- board anchor, Boiler Number four in use for auxiliary purposes. So reads the log of the USS Calyfornia QBB-443 for the first watch of the first day of 1924. Most ofthe crew were over on the beach, busy in extending a glad welcome to the in- fant year. The great ship rode lightly to her anchor, a floating fortress, solemn in the moon- light. But the anchor was not down for long. As the second day of the year dawned, the ship was busy as a hive. Everything was in readi- ness for a southern cruise and all hands were set for it. Amid the tooting of whistles and the wailing of sirens, not to mention the bevy of beautiful maidens who thronged the breakwa- ter to wave a last tearful good-bye, siren-like, but to no avail, up came the anchor encrusted with fishy mud. The Fleet was off and Pedro was behind us. We were headed south. And somewhere in the Atlantic the Scouting Fleet was also steer- ing for Panama. For this was a gigantic war problem and all hands were in readiness for a fleet action. During the day there wee maneu- vers and drills. The fierce rays of the southern sun dispelled the navy blue and we dressed in snowy white. At night the Fleet steamed stealthily in the dark. The phosphorescent sea was traced by a multitude of ships leaving paths of molten silver on the jet water. Grim battle- ships, darting destroyers, furtive submarines ever ready for a dive, peaceful vessels of the train silently administering to the needs of this fleet of fighters, all cruising in the dark. The only light was from the stars. f'We arrived on January sixteenth at Balboa, on the Pacific side of the Panama Ca- nal, without ever meeting our enemy, the Scouting Fleet. Panama was safe and they were still in the Caribbean. There was no time to lose. Panama City, filled with alluring shops, Haig and Haig, Kelleyis, and what not, called but we could not respond- the enemy was in the Caribbean racing for the Panama Canal, bent on its destruction. So, through the vast locks of Miraflores and San Pedro Miguel we went while little black boys threw bananas and coconuts as gifts of welcome. Occasionally one threw vile language. Once past the locks, we steamed stately through the Panama Canal flanked on either side by rocky hills or low- lands covered by the riotous tropical vegeta- tion. As the USS Caljornia KBB-441 neared Gatun locks an ominous speck appeared in the opaque blue sky. Nearer and nearer it came and soon the whir of a motor. An enemy plane! And another! A flock of them! The first shots of the war were fired- constructively in a con- structive war. Gatun locks were passed and we dropped anchor in the harbor of Colon while the en- emy aircraft from the Langley continued the attack. Our anti-aircraft guns and our own planes from the Battle Fleet and the United States Army Base at Panama fought with the zeal of real action. We lay at anchor in the harbor for some twenty hours awaiting the inevitable attack of the Scouting Fleet. It came and they attained their objective. The war was over. Both Battle and Scouting Fleets joined hands, broke out the liberty whites, and sauntered up the main drag of Colon. f'After a week in Colon the combined Battle and Scouting Fleets weighed anchor and commenced a second tactical problem. This time the glassy Caribbean was the scene of ac- tion. When the problem was completed the two Fleets, led by the USS Seattle, Flagship of Admiral Coontz, steamed into Viequez Sound which lies between the islands of Culebra and Viequez. Culebra itself, despite its port of Dewey, is a small island sparsely populated with blacks and Puerto Ricans. It is difficult to classify some of the people. The visit of the Fleet brought forth a town of squalid huts where swarthy Puerto Ricans sold biscuits, fruit, and tobacco. The glory of Culebra is Fla- mingo Beach, a golden strand besieged by sportive breakers from the purple sea. Then, after a month at Culebra, the Battleships and the USS Seattle , got under way for New York making the port on March third. Ten days of concentrated recreation, filled with parties, dances, theatres, bright lights, and sub- ways. Sun-bumed sailors, fresh from the trop- ics, laughed at Broadway's icy blasts. But pleasure cannot last forever. Up came the anchors. The resolute battleships steamed slowly down the North River and past the guiding light of the Statue of Liberty. Next stop, Culebra. Then a week at Balboa on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal. With Panama City close at hand the week was not unenjoyable. 'fOn April twenty-fifth the Fleet got under way for San Pedro. Behind us lay the south- em cruise, the pleasures of New York, and the subtle influence of the Tropics. Ahead lay our home port and a strenuous program of gun- nery exercises. At San Pedro we lost Commander R.T. Menner who was detached to take command of the USS Prometheus. A big cheer, Auld Lang Syne by the band and he was gone to take his command. Thirty minutes later the Captain the USS Prometheus returned to the USS Calyfornia CBB-445 to pay his official call. By the twenty-seventh of June we were in San Francisco for a two weeks, visit. Dur- ing this time the British Special Service Squad- ron composed His Majesty's Ships Hood, Re- pulse, Delhi, Adelaide, Dauntless, and Danae lay at anchor in the bay. San Francisco was profusely decorated with the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes, British tars and Ameri- can sailors walked arm in arm down Market Street in San Francisco having a jolly good time. But ships, like men, must rest occasion- ally. So the latter half ofluly and the month of August found the USS California CBB-445 at the Bremerton Navy Yard. All hands and a swarm of civilian workmen tumed to, installed bunks for the crew, and made a multitude of alterations and repairs. The bamacles were scraped off the bottom and the ship was painted from topmast to keel. At Bremerton Captain Hasbrouck came aboard to relieve Captain H.H. Christy who had been the USS Calhfornia CBB-44J's Command- ing Officer for the preceding year. Secretary of the Navy, Curtis D. Wilbur came aboard in Seattle, Washington, and made the trip to San Francisco, California with us. His blue flag with its white anchor and four stars flew at the main while the flag of Admi- ral Robison was hoisted at the fore. After a brief but enjoyable month of Sep- tember at San Francisco, two weeks of which were spent in Fleet maneuvers at sea, the USS Calyfornia CBB-445 in company with the battle- ship divisions andthe destroyer squadrons got under way for San Pedro, the old home town. Except for a ten-day visit to San Diego, Cali- fornia, in November, there we spent the remain- der of the year. Gunnery exercises, battle prac- tices, Fleet maneuvers, and an occasional fling at Hollywood came along with Christmas close behind. Nineteen hundred and twenty four has entered the realm of the past. The experiences we encountered during its every day have passed away. But the memories of things which concern this ship's company as a whole will linger in the mind of every man aboard. A new year with its thousand opportunities lies ahead. May the USS Calyfornia CBB--4-45 steam through its uncharted waters at full speed and with little smoke. LAKE KITSAP Out in the great open spaces where men are men, and - appetites are large, lies a clear cool mountain lake with the Indian name of Kitsap. It is a good four mile hike from the United States Navy Yard at Bremerton, Wash- ington, but worth it. Old logging trails lead down through towering pine and spruce to the lake, and at the base of one of these trials lies Kamp McKean, a twenty-acre plot of ground bought and owned by the personnel of the United States Navy. During the month of Au- gust, while the Big Flag was in the Navy Yard, the USS Calyfornia CBB-445 established camp for her crew. A permanent detail was ap- pointed, clearings were made, tents pitched and the camp was ready for occupation in short order. Sign boards on the streets contained such familiar names as Sand Street, Riverside Drive, Sally's Alley, Broadway, and Washington Bou- levard. Various squads were sent to this camp, each for a week's vacation as a reward for hard workg each week anywhere from a hundred to a hundred and fifty of the crew forsook Se- attle, Washington, to spend the week-end in this outdoor Mecca. Men even forsook the Post Office steps for Mother Nature. Life in the open proved a welcome nov- elty for Jack, with boating, fishing, tramping, swimming in an ideal swimming hole, and baseballg while even the pestiferous horseshoe

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The USS California QCGN-36Ys engines pro- vide 60,000 S.H.P. tcompared to the USS Cali- fornia CBB-44J's 28,500 S.H.P.J and can drive her tow propellers at a speed in excess of 30 knots. The cruiser's primary ASW weaponry is ASROCQ an eight-tube launcher is locatedjust forward of the bridge. Four tubes for MK 32 torpedoes are sited aft while echo-ranging is provided by an SQS-26CX bow-mounted so- nar. A MK 114 underwater battery fire con- trol system is also onboard. Although a land- ing pad is located at the stern for both con- ventional and LAMPS helicopters, no main- tenance facilities are provided as choppers could normally be, expected to operate from an accompanying carrier. The USS Calqfornialv primary anti-air- craft aimament consists of two single Tartar- D twin-missile launchers mounted well for- ward and aft. These fire the MK 13, Mod 3 Standard medium-range CMRJ surface-to-air missile, about 40 of which are held in maga- zines below each launcher. Plans call for the ship to be refitted tif it has not already beenj with Standard SR-2's. This anti-aircraft weap- onry is controlled by a pair of MK 74, Mod 4 fire control systems, with four fore and aft mounted SPG-51 radars. To deal with low- flying aircraft, fast patrol boats, or shore tar- gets, the cruiser has two five inch!54 caliber dual purpose guns mounted in single automatic turrets, one forward between the ASROC and Tartar-D launchers one on the 02,' deck por- tion ofthe after superstructure. These are con- trolled by a MK 86, Mod 3 fire control sys- tem for which there is also an SPG-60 radar. Two 40mm Phalanx close-in weapons systems KCIWSJ, each with six-barrel Vulcan Mgatling gunsf' will be mounted for last-ditch defense against antiship KSSMJ missiles. Additionally in a move designed to exert her offensive range and capability, the installation of Harpoon SSM's is imminent. The USS California CCGN-363 is equipped with SPS-10 and 40 sear radar with an SPS-48 3-D radar on the foremast. Her communications gear features an SSR-l receiver, a WSC-3 transceiver, and an OE-82 satellite communications antenna. These various systems are supported by a three-computer Naval Tactical Data System CNTDSD complex. With her home port at Norfolk, Virginia, the USS Caljorrtia CCGN-365 has been in ser- vice for more than a decade now. In those years, she has sailed to far seas on a variety of missions, mostly routine cartier escort deploy- ments. The service, just as hard and enjoy- able for todayls sailors as it was for those who manned earlier Golden State warships, has brought pride to her crew and participation in a few memorable events. In 1977, the USS Calnfornia CCGN-361 was the only American representative in the multi-nation naval review held to honor the Silver Jubilee of Britain's Queen Elizabeth. In 1979-1980, the ship participated in the screen of United States warships sent to the Indian Ocean in response to the Iran hostage crisis. On November 20, 1981, after what had begun as a routine deployment to the Indian Ocean, Captain Charles J. Smith brought his command back to Hampton Roads. After steaming 78,000 miles, the Golden State cruiser had become the far-,t lfnited State vessel in years to LlfLt,lffil'lbtv'igEJl.f1 the cant: For seven months, Captain Smith A had spent most of its time under wa, lt' Indian Ocean on luly 15. 2981. the 1.83 Ca fi' f jornla ICON-363 was detached from the 1, SS America ICVA-661 battle group to re'-,cue '19 seamen from the fatally-stricken Greek merchantman lrenes Slncerlty. As the eras -.er continued her voyage, she would become tn-- volved in two more at-sea rescuers. sauing , man from a deserted island and picking up roar downed helicopter crewmen. This globe-ci' cling mission was taxing in some respects only 19 days of liberty were allowed. 16 ac- counted for by calls at Cartagena. Spairri Singaporeg and Perth. Australia. The other three days came in San Diego. California. on the final leg of the trek home. As the USS Calhfornia ICGN-361 entered the port of San Diego. she was met and es- corted by fire boats and a flotilla of pleasure craft, many carrying veterans ofthe old 'Pmne Barge, the USS CaIUf0r121'atBB-444. An air- borne banner, arranged for by local United State Navy League members. proclaimed the cityls welcome. The ships crew was ofticially welcomed, the celebration marked the irst time that the cruiser had visited the state for which she was named. We've had many in- vitations to visit various cities in California. said Captain Smith, and we finally made it. When the latest Golden State namesake de- parted San Diego for home in Norfolk. Yir- ginia, and for more future missions. there were a few tears, many smiles. and hopes that she would make it again one day soon. ff , 'f.4.,y,,, , Q, , f, f If 1 , . QW 4 f , ,W aw fi S 1 . rr faire --ii-- ...I Q -fl-'- ' USS California fCGN-361 Silka SUIIHII, Alvltrian l.s'laHa'.v, Alaska. .lulgv 1980, fClt'lllIAft'.Y4X' ofit'4tpm1'r1 R. lf Burrows. t . ,-

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pitchers had their chance. With this went op- tional taps, reveille at seven o'clock and three of the good cook's husky squares a day- what an edge that keen air did put on the appetites! But everything was not play, the camp had to be policed, and every ship's camp leaves its mark of permanent improvement on the site. The USS California QBB-44Ys contribution was the dragging of the beach, the building of a waterfront and pier and the removal of many stumps until finally the USS Caljornia CBB- 44J's camp was conceded to be the best ever. Nor was the United States Navy forgotten there. Admiral Chips,' Kogel in his flagship the Ark,,' an old whaleboat donated by the Navy Yard, regularly held fleet maneuvers of the camp's small boats. The fleetis nightly schedule called for grand maneuvers after sup- per and a sortie of the fleet into Community Beach across the lake for smokes and eats be- ffore returning to the camp fire and a great nightls rest, filled with pleasant dreams. UTHE AIR WARRIORS f'One of the ship's most reliable publicity agents is the Aviation Gang piloted by that prince among thrillers- that dare-devil in his own birthright, Lieutenant Dixie Kiefer. Mur- ders pales to insignificance as producers of spi- nal tingling alongside of those early catapult shots of Lieutenant Barner. Due to the bravery of these men the USS Calyfornia CBB-445 can claim the credit for the world's first night catapult shot. If you've ever driven a car off a cliff at night going fifty miles per hour with no headlights you have and idea of what it is like. f'Furthermore they have found time to in- terest some dozen other Junior Officers enough to cause them to go into Aviation. To say noth- ing of curing Montell of his failure to make after dinner speeches. 'LA year of day and night flying in all weathers speaks well for the future of heavier than air flying on the Battle Fleet flagship. The time is not far distant when we will rely wholly on our aircraft for gunnery spotting at these increased ranges. Proud we are of our Avia- tors. KKMEMORIES OF 1924 f'San Pedro- The mad dash for the P.E. train, steel locker clubs, rented Fords, the mid- night hot dog on the dock, oil tankers, a fish- laden atmosphere, shore boats, blissful home of married sailors. f'Culebra- Buming heat, luscious bananas, soda pop, Flamingo Beach, and cooling surf, golden sunsets and purple seas, swarthy na- tives living in squalid huts with thatched roofs, rain and mud, smokers and ball games, taran- tulas and sea urchins. New York- The American Girl Glori fied, wintry blasts whistling up the North Rive, the Great White Way, the Statue of Liberty, sky- grazing buildings, Czech-Slovak newspapers, the subway mob, nTsay, Kid, gimme da coin, yuh can't ride dis wagon fer nuttenf' palatial hotels, Riverside Drive, painted lips. V A KW' ,yww O ff yyff X After engine rOOm. fCOurreSy OfFrederick KOh!.j f'Seattle- Dress whites, Kelleys, bananas, have graced the decks of the grand old ship- Haig, Y.M.C.A., ceegarets, four dollars silver the USS Calnfornia tBB-449. but two dollars gold, Muchchas de cantinas, Gatun Lake, chattering monkeys, devout wor- shippers at Catholic shrines. San Francisco- The Ferry Building Market Street, the Golden Gate, jitney busses, Coffee Dan's, cable cars, the Orpheum, Golden Gate Park, girls, girls, the Oakland ferry, Ber- keley, prohibition. HLos Angeles- The P.E. station, Solomons, Hollywood, Jack's Baths, The Biltmore, Westlake Park, rustic Fords, lowans, Pershing Square, flaming neckties, real estate agents, auto parking lots, extra girls, you-drive-em cars, city slickers, movies, silk hose, mamas. Bremer'ton- that boiler shop din, navy workmen emphatically throwing down tools when whistle blows, scraping the bottom, hard boiled Marine sentries, the ferry boat to Se- attle, ship's dances at the Elk's Club. f'Camp Kitsap- healthy appetites, long hikes, pitching horse shoes, toasted marshmal- lows, the plunge in the lake, fleet maneuvers at night, the fish that got away. f'Long Beach- roller coasters, hot dogs, dime dances, lady barber shops, the old joke about Iowa, coy bungalows, beautiful streets and Cadillacs, Fords, too. 'fHollywood- Bareheaded sheiks, racy roadsters, brilliant shops, over-advertised town, not so wicked, beauty- real and artificial, girl- ish boys, and boyish girls, types growing beards, Beverly Hills, cosmetics, studios, hum, Pola Negril Real estate kiosks. tea rooms, pros- perity, and hardened eyes. 'fVenice- The woiking girls' Paradise. one-piece bathing suits, bow legs Cracker Jack, chute-the-chutes, laughing galleries, your pic- 9 ture in Tiaiuanaf' necking, fat women splash- ing about, reckless side-walk trains, corduroy pants, tennis visors, more darned fun. Many logs from the years of service and many memories can be reflected by many who CKHISTORIC PR UNE BAROE LA UNCHING FrO1n the Vallejo Tinze-Herald. laliejo. Calyfornia, Sunday, Nmenzber 20. 1960: f'Today marks the Forty First Anniversaaw of the launching of Mare Islands historic battleship the USS Calnfornia CBB--1-ll. ffOnly twenty of the shipyards present employees witnessed the launching and only six were employed when the keel was laid. lt was November 20. 1919. when the then sleek, super warship slid down the ways and suffered a most embarrassing moment when she drifted clear across the channel and stuck in the mud at the foot of Georgia Street. before the ten-odd tugs assigned to catch her. could get lines aboard. LARGEST MI-Btitr The ship. totaling more than 32.000 tons. is the largest of nearly 500 craft which have been built at the l06-year-old shipyard. The USS California LBB--1-U began her career with almost twenty years of peaceful service as flagship for the Pacific Fleet. But. on the fateful morning of December 7. lf?-l l. just as the mists were lifting from the head- lands behind Pearl Harbor. squadrons of .lapa- nese aircraft rained havoc on most of the nation's Pacific Fleet. The might USS Ctzlifiwini tBB--L-li was hit by two torpedoes and one bomb. Heroic measures were taken to keep the ship atloat. but three days later she sank into the mud of Pearl Harbor. She was floated in Nlarch of I0-12 and after emergency repairs, was towed to Bremerton Naval Shipyard where she w as completely modernized. .,.-.. A .1.