Newport News (CA 148) - Naval Cruise Book

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We W Officials on hand for occasion Crew assembles at Quariers for Commissioning 29 January 1949 Admiral W. H. P. Blandy, Cinclant piped on board Guesfs are escorted back Aff for ceremonies -l

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ready for any assignment, pointed her prow homeward. During the shakedown cruise several Carribbean ports were visited in- cluding Haiti, Jamaica and Panama. Back in Norfolk once again, the ship underwent a post-shake- down yard period and in July, 194-9, as Flagship for Admiral Blandy, departed on a 'fGoodwill cruise to Halifax, N. S. Our visit to this famous Canadian port was during its f'Centennial,' celebration. Next, after operating with Operational Development Force in Norfolk, the Newport News embarked with the U. S. Second Fleet for a cruise to the 'icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. And so it was, on November 12, 194-9, with waves breaking over the forecastle, that we crossed the Arctic Circle, thus inaugurating all members as uBlue Nosersf' The old saltsn on board con- sidered that cold' Arctic Cruise the double-N's 'fmaiden voyagef, as all 17,000 tons of this Hdeadly killern brazenly resisted the mountainous waves and sub-zero weather of the Arctic Ocean. January 4, 1950, Captain Smoot was relieved of his command by Captain James S. Laidlaw, USN, in a ceremony at the Naval Base, Norfolk, Va. A passage to the distant Mediterranean was our next assign- ment-which also meant our first crossing of Father Neptune's Atlantic Ocean. This cruise had long been anticipated and finally the day came, and with Cape Henry fast disappearing, the double-N steamed the high seas once again-destination-Gi braltar. Days passed until finally one misty morning anxious eyes made out the African coastline and the famed Rock of Gibraltar rising from the sea in all its impregnable armor. In the Mediter- ranean at last as Flagship for Vice Admiral John J. Ballentine, USN, Commander Sixth Fleet, the Newport News assumed her role as the ugoodwillw cruiser. During this tour of duty which lasted over five months, the NN visited nearly every major port of the Mediterranean, including: Augusta, Sicily, Venice and Tarranto, Italy, Athens, Greece, Beirut, Lebanon, Istanbul, Turkey, Tripoli, Tripolitaniag Trieste, T.F.T., Suda Bay, Crete, Toulon and Villefranche, France, Lisbon, Portugal, and Palma, Majorca. Many of the wonders of this once-center of ancient civilization were viewed by the crew as well as the picturesque scenery and mode of living in these lands. Not only did we see them, but thousands of people, some very prominent fKing Paul and Queen Frederika of Greece, Aly Khan and Rita Hayworth and other celebritiesJ visited our ship and many were the compliments heaped upon this dreadnought of the high seas. Yes, it was a happy cruise-a successful cruise-and upon being relieved, Capt. Laidlaw and the officers and crew received praise from Vice Admiral Ballentine on an excellent performance of duty while serving aboard his command ship. 7 Arriving back in Norfolk, USA, during the latter part of May, a three-month yard period was undertaken and completed. Before our departure in September, 1950, on a six-week re- fresher training cruise to the Caribbean, Captain Edward N. Parker, USN, the present Commanding Officer, assumed command of the Newport News. Under the vigilance of Capt. Parker, the ship completed her return shakedown cruise at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with fiying colors, and earned for her toil and sweat a mark of uExcellent.,7 To all those who contributed so much in this fine evaluation, a feeling of pride and satisfaction was felt- and justly so, for we were ready for what may lie in the future. Yes, ready to take our place in the fieet once again. Back in Norfolk for a short recreational and leave period, the Newport News once again readied for a forthcoming Mediter- ranean Cruise. 4'Cast-Off was echoed on November 20, 1950, and the Newport News now prepared, departed for distant duty with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. Presently embarked on that cruise, the USS NEWPORT NEWS, as before, is fulfilling that all-important task of supporting free- dom-loving nations throughout the world. Although assigned many purposes during this cruise, the Newport News has continued to mold the faith and courage of her officers and crew. And as you observe the pictorial record on the following pages, you will see why our Hoating and fighting home, from HBlue Prints to Blue Seas, has been an inspiration to all of us who have sailed with her. Moonlight over Guantanamo Bay

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Q - mfwffgew- 1:'::w E! f s I . 5 ' 1 f L ll V 1 I 1 43 I ,V Crowd watches as Admiral Blandy and Captain Smoot arrive at speakers stand Admiral Blandy and Captain Smoot before ceremonies Mrs. Homer L. Ferguson, who christened the ship in 1947, addressing the Assemblage Captain Smoot greets Dignitaries arriving for ceremonies Admiral W. H. P. Blandy, USN, Cinclant making the principle address Mr. J. B. Woodward Jr. delivers Hull No. 456 to the Navy