Eldorado (AGC 11) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 15 text:

. . . The Eldorado had a sampling or this warmth when it visited the city to take part in California ' s Admission Day festivities. The Eldorado was on exhihit, and she knew it, for she had donned her Sunday hest for the more than 2200 visitors who had come to see her. Among the inspecting civilians were many dis- tinguished and honored guests. Wl Left; Admiral Richmond K. TURNER, USN, (Ret.), Commander Arnphihious Forces Pacific during the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns. Ahove; Distinguished guests; RADM F. MOOSBRUGGER, USN; CAPT. R.C. PEDEN; Mrs. Thomas H. KUCHEL ; Governor of California, Goodwin J. KNIGHT ; and U. S. Senator, William F. KNOWLAND.

Page 17 text:

Passage under San Francisco ' s Golden Gate Bridge on a clear and sunny afternoon marked trie beginning or a long period or bard work for tke crew of tke Eldorado. Our stay at tke Mare Island Centennial Celebration, marking 100 years of service to tke Navy and tke Nation. Tkousands tkronged to tke skipyard, and tke Eldorado again played kost to eager visitors. Tke celekration over, tke crew settled down to tke tkree montk task of overkaul. Scaffolding rose as if ky magic, air bam- mers rattled, and welders torckes glowed all day and into tke nigkt. Days of dirty work were interspersed witk glorious week ends in San Francisco and neigkkoring areas. Market Street, Fisker- man ' s Wbarf and Golden Gate Park were pleasant kosts to tke Eldorado sailor as were tke football stadiums, redwood forests and even tke Sierras. Wken tke Eldorado emerged from its cocoon of scaffolding, cranes, and steadying lines ske was as neat and trim as on ner maiden voyage. A few trial runs in San Francisco Bay concluded tke yard period, and tke Eldorado again slipped under tke Golden Gate and pointed ker bow to tke soutb. Abead lay San Diego and several montbs of intensive training before a new staff would arrive aboard.