Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - Naval Cruise Book

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Despite that description, the feelings soon changed to a love for the area. The snow-capped mountains to the east were carpeted by forests of evergreen. The people were friendly and thankful for the industry brought by the Navy. Convenient ferries shuttled vehicles and people to Seattle and other towns in the area. No, the sun didn ' t seem as warm as San Diego, but it was a little more relaxed. There was much work ahead and only half the crew, about 1,900, remained for upkeep of the ship and training while the yardbirds went to work. Quarters were provided aboard a retired troop transport ship, aptly dubbed the Hotel Gaffey. Her accomodations were as good as the Kitty Hawk ' s in some cases. The familiar open bay ber- things were accompanied by staterooms for some crew members. The gedunk was set up, the mess decks were open, and a recreation and TV lounge was available. The sounds of grinding and the sight of welding replaced the sounds of the rolling thunder of catapults and the sight of afterburner flames. Cleaning and standing fire watches, most crew members saw the ship undergo changes. And they got an opportunity to see an area of the ship they ' d never seen; the underside of the hull. Kitty Hawk ' s massive 50-ton rudders and her 27 ' diameter screws were high and dry. It didn ' t really seem like a ship anymore, until the water once again lifted the ship. From another pier in the

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It was a seri ous step in the life of an aircraft carrier. Close to a thousand cars, trucks and motorcycles were lined atop the ship as if there was a drive-in movie playing there. The ship was serving as a transport for the vehicles and families of the crew as a change of port was made to Bre- merton, Washington. Into the mouth of Puget Sound, Kitty Hawk steamed. Entering their drydock home, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, cars and families were unloaded and transported off base immediately. Then the grip of tight security was felt. Badges were issued and movement on and off base was carefully monitored. The parking lots for the crew seemed a mile away, and they were crowded. A constant rain seemed to fall over the land. This was going to be our home for 11 months of overhaul?

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shipyard, the finishing touches were made. Dead loads were fired off the catapults into the bay to measure the force of our new launchers. And the ship soon began to shine again. After an at-sea period out of the sound for sea trials, the ship made preparations for the trip south to San Diego once again. USS Constellation (CV-64) steamed into the ship- yards for her overhaul period. Then the cars and families were loaded aboard.