Mobile Bay (CG 53) - Naval Cruise Book

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Above: MOBILE BAY passes in review by Fort Morgan. Serving the masses MOBILE BA Y style. Heading up the Bay to Commissioning With over 800 crew and guests embarked. MOBILE BA Y departed Pascagoula on February 16 for a historic Voyage Through History enroute her commissioning site in Mobile. Alabama. As the ship transited the battleground for which she is named, crewmembers and Civil War reenactors ashore replayed the famous 1864 battle. Cannons erupted from the mighty cruiser, to be answered in kind from the Fort. As the smoke cleared, the ship ' s Honor Guard fired a gun salute and a wreath was laid to honor fallen warriors of the USS TECUM- SEH. Our unique Voyage served as an exhilerating and memorable ribbon-cutting to Commissioning Week events. Below: We ' re here. Mobile!

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VOYAGE THROUGH HISTORY ,4, Hey!!! Ya gots mah razor? Below: Civil War reenactors and MOB honor guard render a salute for fallen comrades. Below. Lt. (Reverend) Bill Cave lays a wreath in honor of past warriors. f

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FEB 21, 1987 COMMISSIONING In a moving, thoroughly patriotic and upbeat ceremo- ny held at the Alabama State Docks in Mobile on Satur- day. February 21. CG 53 became an active warship of the line. Before a crowd of approximately 6.000 that had braved the rather dismal weather to be on hand. MOBILE BA Y was brought to life. Complete with all the pageantry that could be mustered, the MOB pulled this one off in fine style. On hand to add to the color and crispness was the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Band from New Orleans. Louisiana, which offered a splendid assortment of musi- cal selections throughout the day. They were assisted by the nationally-known Naval Air Training Command Choir, which was able to join us from Pensacola. Florida. As an added touch, the United States Naval Academy Color Guard joined forces with Civil War reenactors from the 21st Alabama Infantry Volunteers, and the ship ' s color and honor guards, to provide marching and display units at the ceremony. Four-oh is as low as we go! took on new meaning during the ensuing ceremony! Offering remarks on that day was a host of distinguished naval and civilian leaders including the Honorable Mel- vin R. Paisley. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Re- search. Engineering and Systems: Vice Adm. William Rowden. Commander. Naval Sea Systems Command: Vice Adm. Joseph Metcalf III. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Surface Warfare): Rear Adm. David Bennett. Deputy Commander Naval Surface Force. U.S. Atlantic Fleet: Six thousand proud Americans brave the February frost to see MOBILE BA Y come alive! Rear Adm. Denton reviews the MOB Honor Guard. Men of MOBILE BAY. man your ship!