Essex (CVA 9) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 17 text:

am M41 Tl-IUS, WI- I-ND QNI- CZHAPTEIQ AND BEGIN ANGTI-HER ....

Page 16 text:

1 -,n g I For twelve dragging days and twelve sleepless nights we steamed Eastward toward San Diego. Bright and early on Friday, the oth ol: February, we lined the bow, searching For the First glimpse ot point Loma. Finally, it is sighted ll We stand down the harbor at a snail's pace and then a thrilling spectacle emerges From behind the intervening buildings .... Thousands ot people, bands, beautiful maiorettes, scores ol: romping Children and above it all, the brilliant colors ot the gay dresses ot our wives and sweethearts .... Our eyes blinlc to keep baclc the tears .... Tears tor the brave boys we lett in Korea and tears ol: thanlmculness tor being home .... After a 'KWELL DQNEH by CQlViAllQl3AC, the gangway was lowered and wives, children, friends, and sweethearts scrambled aboard ....

Page 18 text:

i TI-IE SI-IIP QEADIED AT BTQEMEQTGN .... , X ,i xg 21, Xf' f X28 Wi ,xi rf' 'Z X?-1211+ f' r gig V223 2 . Within a matter of hours the Essex seemed a, ghost ship to those orc us who remained aboard after the homecoming .... disembarking squadrons, transmcer orders and leave papers all reduced our once vast complement .... and From this day, began the gradual decline ol: a Fighting ship to the dismembered mass of machinery that was designated a unit orc the Pacific Qeserve Eleet. Beliore a week was up, it was time For Fare- wells again as the. ship got underway For Alameda. San Erancisco, city ol: breathless beauty and im- mense hospitality, welcomed us For one week-end and our men From the Bay area left on well earned leaves .... Underway again, this time For the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton, Washington For a multi-million dollar overhaul and modernization program. We stopped long enough at Bangor to ohicload, in two wearying days, the immense striking Force of explosives stored in our maga- zines and on Eebruary 22, IQ53, the Essex entered Puget Sound and through the towering plumes ol: water rising From the welcoming Fire boats, we saw the grey Framework ol: the ship- yard that we were to call home For six months. The last Fires died out under our boilers and our lines were doubled up to the dock and the Essex was at last at rest .... The extended yard period provided Freedoms that we had hitherto been denied. The daily struggle to meet the schedule was gone. There was time For leave, time For play and, ol: course, time For work . . . The week was scarcely up when the ship took on an entirely new aspect .... yard workmen swarmed up and down the ladders, Familiar bulk- heads began to disappear, a gaping shaict sprung up in the wardroom, sheds replaced aircraict on the Flight deck. Everywhere were visible the signs ot the tremendous improvement and mod- ification program-. Eor many of us it was a chance to really live with our wives and children again and to enjoy a taste ol: shore duty and the novelty orc an eight hour working day. Soon, we had a new Commanding Officer in Captain C. l-l. Duborg and Commander Ben Moore Jr. became our new Executive Olihicer. Together, they guided the Essex through the long overhaul period and back out to duty as a ship oh line .... On the way through we enjoyed ourselves with a spirited intramural softball competition which the ancient senior officers of the wardroom won despite many a creaking arm and weary muscle .... Qur band became a great Favorite in the l l L