Lake Champlain (CV 39) - Naval Cruise Book

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X THE CAPTAIN A lyearcyfago, when U.S.S. Lake Champlain was commissioned, toldtlis crew that it was our job to learn to live and work together, in order that we be able to fight the ship effectively in the battles that loomed ahead. few knew how near was the final victory, and we 'wercgfgdefjlnitely scheiduled to participate in the next major operation- the initialsinvasionfofihe Japanese homeland. - 'x, J in Our shakedowniiwas completed while the war was still being fought, and wetof Lake Champlain have a justifiable pride in the results we accomplished during that period. We flew more hours, landed, catapulted, and flew off more aircraft, fired more gunnery practices, and steamed more miles than had been accomplished during the shakedown of any previous Essex class carrier. On the basis of our oflicial inspection, Lake Champlain was outstanding in ability to control and repair battle damage. We were ready.. g

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awxrxefzwefze-:we-:rsxsx:,x:,::'x1,:s:e,:+::,::-x:'x+:e,xwe,:e, 'hese few pages are an attempt to preserve what has been thought and felt about U.S.S. LAKE CHAMPLAIN by its ship's company. The commanding officer, in his commissioning address, enumerated those who contributed to building the hull, but reserved the real task of turning it into a ship to the crew who were to give it the essential qualities- life and personality. Now that the time has come to record that personality, the editors confess they have run into difficulty because Lake Champlain has meant many things to different kinds of people, and testimony to her greatness is individual at its best. Thousands of visitors who boarded her in New York, Philadelphia and Boston came to evaluate a wartime investment. They left with a promise that tomorrow contained peace and security for them. That is what the Lake Champlain meant to them. It means the same to us and more. To many American mothers and fathers she was the ship that brought their sons home. And from her four magic carpet runs, she emerged a symbol of our victory with her decks swarming with G.I.s who had just pulled off the biggest job in history. It meant this to us and more. The nation looked over its morning papers when the head- lines told the story of a carrier that had broken the Transatlantic speed record and considered this evidence of American skill and determination. It meant this to us and yet more. Sheis more than a sleek representative of her class-The Essex-more than a good ship-apgood deal' more thanahappy ship. L gf .- The editors confess they do not know wherel torbegin. They hope their efforts can tell in part the story of CV39. Eogrs the timefhas come to say farewell. And this we wish to do well. Theiishiip isiassigned to the Sixteenth Fleet for inactivation-orders we fill 'infthe interest of our National Economy. But it is exceedingly. difficult te., say goodbye to her that can be no other than-THE GREAT LAKE. THE EDITORS. 4x4:4xfc:1c:-c:.2aw:4x4x4x4::1c:f::+:s4x4x euxaxfscz asz-cz-cm I

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However, V-J Day found the ship in the Naval Shipyard at Norfolk receiving final material adjustments and stores prior to our schedulgi departure for the Pacific. Under the circumstances, a letdown in your ship spirit might have been expected. Frankly, I feared that the advent of peace might result in an increase in minor disciplinary infractions. Instead, I am proud and happy to say that, even today, ninety-five percent of you have clear conduct records. Nor has any one been able to detect any decrease in your devotion to duty, despite your natural desire to rejoin your families and return to civilian life. Following our shakedown, your courtesy to our quarter million civilian visitors last' September won many friends for U.S.S. Lake Champlain and the United States Navy. Then, when we were assigned to the Magic Carpet, twenty thousand Army men were brought home. On one of these trips, Lake Champlain broke all speed records for an ocean crossing and now holds the Blue Ribbon of the Atlantic. Despite the discomfort and overcrowding, this crew willingly worked many extra hours to ensure the comfort and well being of our Army guests. Although we were scheduled to proceed to the West Coast, the Magic Carpet was destined to be our last task in the active fleet. We are now engaged in the sad task of laying up and preserving this home of ours. Although her service has been moderate, she is just one year old, and is in perfect material condition, economy has dictated the inactiva- tion of the ship. While we cannot but deplore this necessity, we can be glad that the prospects of a lasting and world wide peace are sufficiently rosy to justify this placing of Lake Champlain in a state of suspended animation. V A year ago, during the commissioning' ceremony I stated that, as your commanding officer, I faced the future with pride in this 'mag- nificent ship of ours and confidence in you-its crew. Time has proven that pride and confidence fully justified, for both ship and crew have accomplished efficiently every task assigned them. And if U.S.S. Lake Champlain is ever needed for the combat she never met during this war, I could ask for no higher privilege than to be reassigned as her captain and to be shipmates with you again. Good bye, good luck, and may God bless you. LooAN RAMSEY, Captain, U. S. Navy, Commanding.