Saipan (CVL 48) - Naval Cruise Book

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AN BVL 48 A T0 THE FAR EAST , The SAIPAN returned to Norfolk on 5 August 1953. Behind her was a two-month cruise to the Caribbean and South America with Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy em- -barked. Ahead of her was extended deployment to distant duty . . . a polite Navy phrase mean- ing long time no see United States . . . to Korea and the Far East. Preparations, including a ten-day training cruise with the pilots and aircraft of Marine At- tack Squadron THREE TWO FOUR embarked, began immediately. On 28 September 1953 the last line was cast off Pier 7, Norfolk Naval Base, and the SAIPAN was on her way to do her part in the United Nations effort to gain a permanent peace in the Far East. First stop was Mayport, Florida, where final loading of VMA-324 was completed and eight more days of carrier qualification training was accomplished. Thirteen October saw the SAIPAN on her way to the Panama Canal Zone. The Panama Canal was reached and transited on 19 October and SAIPAN moored in Balboa . . . the Pacific terminal of the canal, for two nights and one day of liberty. The SAIPAN had joined the United States Pacific Fleet. First port of call in the Pacific was San Diego. Training operations and lasrminute load- ing of supplies passed the time quickly in the last continental limits port that the SAIPAN was to see for some months. The SAIPAN was hull- down heading west out of San Diego on 6 No- vember . . . bound for Pearl Harbor. The time from 12 November to 20 November passed as quickly as did that in San Diego and the latter date found the SAIPAN on her way to Japan . . . Waikiki Beach and the land of the hula left behind. SAIPAN photographers set their range finders on Mount Fuji on 30 November 1953 and the SAIPAN entered Yokosuka harbor and re- ported to the Commander, Naval Forces, Far East, for duty, SAIPAN sailors spent two days investigating the Land of the Rising Sun and on 2 December the SAIPAN departed Yoko- suka . . . bound for Sasebo, on the island of Kyushu and destined to be SAIPAN's home away from home in japan. Sasebo harbor was entered on 4 December 1953. And so commenced the SAIPAN's tour of duty in the Far East. Duty in Japan ofered many exciting changes to SAIPAN sailors. They learned to bow instead of shaking hands in greeting, to take oH their shoes before entering Japanese build- ings, and to sit on the deck instead of conven- tional western style chairs. And they increased the amount of out-going mail substantially as Jap- anese merchandise started on its way to loved ones at home. Duties of the SAIPAN were also different from previous duties. The SAIPAN joined Task Force NINETY FIVE, a United Nations Com- mand charged with Blockading and Escorting along the coast of South Korea. Duties included the reconnaissance and surveillance of the Yellow Sea coast of South Korea and air inspection of the friendly islands along the 38th parallel. The Yellow Sea became the SAIPAN's private cruising waters. Normal cruises lasted about ten days . . . and then back to Sasebo. Three Marine amphibious training exer- cises helped to pass the time. The first exercise took the SAIPAN to Okinawa where the planes of VMA-324 simulated close air support of a Marine landing assault. The second operation took her to Iwo Jima and the third exercise took her back to South Korea and Sokcho' Ri. After the Okinawa exercise Hong Kong was visited for rest and recreation . . . and SAIPAN sailors became the best dressed men in the Far East. When the SAIPAN left Hong Kong on 17 Feb- ruary over 400 tailor made civilian suits and sports jackets went with her. After the Iwo Jima exercise the SAIPAN returned to the Yokosuka area and entered Yoko- hama to represent the U. S. Navy at the Japanese Black Ship Festival commemorating the visit of Admiral Perry and the subsequent opening of japan to western trade. The Tokyo souvenir market was invaded by SAIPAN sailors during the stay in Yokohama. The Yokohama visit was cut short by the worsening Indo China war. Twenty-five AU type aircraft were loaded in Yokosuka and pilots of VMA-324 flew the air- craft from the carrier to French forces at Tour- ane, Indo China, on 18 April, VMA-324 pilots renewed friendships with French pilots who had

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A711113 fm y or me - ,rm g'4e.,ttr M N cmd.. ,.,,.-----J-,UVM ' ,a...,,.,.,,,Y, ,- 4 ,Q , - .,..,.- ,.,.,,, I... ...WM N,-...Nm U.S.S. SAIPAN QCVL-481 The USS. SAIPAN QCVL-48, was launched on 8 july 1945 at the Camden, New jersey, yards of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. Formal commissioning ceremonies took png. an the phnsanpha. Nivy Yard on 14 July 1946. The SAIPAN is a fast, light aircraft car- rier, constructed on a basic heavy cruiser hull, and taking her name from one of the most heroic battles of World War Il . . . the invasion and capture of Saipan in the Marianas Islands of the Pacific. The SAIPAN is 684 feet long and dis- places approximately 19,320 tons. Her flight deck is 617 feet long and 80 feet wide. Her power plant can produce 120,000 shaft horsepower to propel. the ship at speeds above 32 knots with four screws. The electric plant can generate enough electric power to supply a city of 10,000 people. The evaporators provide .t daily water supply of 80,000 gallons for the ship's power plant, per- sonal use of the crew, cooking and the ship's laundry. Under wartime operating conditions the SAIPAN can berth some 2,000 uicers and men. Since the SAIPAN has en- joyed manyandvarieddmies.Her5rstassign- ment was to the Naval Air Ba-sic Training Corn- mandinPensacola, Florida. asrelief forthe U.S.S-RANGER . . .one ofthe Navfsohdeat aircraft carriera.TheSAl.PAN'sduliesinP5a- cola consisted of the carrier of ms- l:ryoNavalAviators whilecmisingintheGnlf ofMexico.She performedthathyhonoily anddepartedPemacolainAprill947svihover 12,000 carrier landings under her belt. From Cllb8,,f0l.'lb8llii ahahedowl'.'I1seSAI- believed to the.tlse Brat and carrier a shakedown nie after living In May 1948 the SAIPAN accomplished what is still considered to be one of her most memorable achievements . . . she was the first United States Navy aircraft carrier to operate with a complete squadron of jet fighters. The FH-1 Phantom . . . piloted by the pilots of Air Development Squadron THREE shared this honor with the SAIPAN. As of the date this book is published, the SAIPAN has steamed over 300,000 milesg has received more than 39,000 landings on her flight deckg and has visited over 25 foreign countries. The SAIPAN is a shellback , having crossed the equator on two separate cruises, and and an honored member of the Realm of the Golden Dragon, having crossed the 180th meridian. On arrival in Norfolk after the completion of her Pacific duty the SAIPAN will also have eom- pleted a circuit of the world. Other duties at which the SAIPAN has served include: anti-submarine warfare, cold- weather evaluation cruises in the North Atlantic, service with the SIXTH Fleet in the Mediter- razman, and service with the Operation!-l Develop- ment For-ca.

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4 ' -3- si 0' fz'sxl'aiF And Around ra ggf ' The World it T for r' it' y I vAt Qi undergone flight training in the United States before being returned to the SAIPAN via French helicopters. Manila, Philippine Islands, became the next port of call. One day and night of lib- erty in Manila and she was on her way back to Sasebo. Last minute shopping for japanese souve nirs and a visit to Nagasaki for Armed Forces Day occupied SAIPAN sailors as they talked of going home until the great day arrived on 25 May 1954. Sasebo . . . with memories pleasant and otherwise . . . was left behind and the SAIPAN sailed for Singapore on 25 May. SAIPAN was on her way home . . . and would complete a trip around the world before she again entered Hampton Roads. AND AROUND THE WORLD Loaded with at least one set of japanese chinaware for each member of the crew, the SAIPAN reached Singapore, in company with Destroyer Division THREE FOUR ONE, on 1 June 1954. Davey jones and his court had come aboard the night before as the SAIPAN crossed the equator. His royal majesty held court for the many slime-smeared Polliwogs inferring the SAIPAN and scheduled a return visit on 4 june . . . to suitably deal with the low and uncouth Polliwogs. Enjoyable liberty in Singapore ended on 3 june and the SAIPAN departed for Col- ombo, Ceylon. Davey jones kept his and ridded the SAIPAN of the stench of Polliwop as scheduled and the SAIPAN became asship sailed entirely by trusty shellbedrs- E n if Colombowasenteredon7Junel954and Teakwoodelephants joined theranbof souvenirS.0n9Junesbedepartedfor refueledinAdenonl5 JUDQ allviing of liberty for the crev. Eid!! gomgthrougl1thePan- arna Canal the SAIPAN entered and completed transit of the Suez Canal . . . arriving at Suez early in the morning of the 19th of june and de- parting Port Said late in the evening of the same day. Naples, ltaly, welcomed the SAIPAN on 22 june and Ville Franche, Nice and Cannes, France, followed suit on 26 june. The Riviera . . . com- plete with Biltinis, side-wallt cafes and cognac .. .wasallthatitwassupposedtobe . . .and liberty was the order of the day. Perfume came aboard in quantity! From Ville Franche SAIPAN sailors in- vaded Barcelona, Spain . . with more side-walk cafes and featuring the bull fights. Spanish lace and dolls were added to the souvenir supply. Two days at sea after departure from Barcelona on 5 july provided all hands with much needed rest . . . particularly after the entire liberty sec- tion had to spend the night on the dock in Bar- celona the night before sailing due to cancella- tion of small boating because of heavy seas. Lis- bon, Portugal, was entered on 7 July and after IWO days of liberty all hands were ready to bed!! the last leg of the trip home. Mayport and the continental limits, U.S.A., was the destination whentlsehooltwas raised inLisb0non91uly. VMA-324 was of-loaded in Mayport on 18 July. The SAIPAN departed MIYPUR on 19 july...NorfolltandHObiEwasread's0d0l 20julyl SAIPANwasbomeagainafterrdue months and dmee weeks! Passes-ity will not read about the SAIPAN winning any wars or even setting any resold! ...unlessyoueonsidertheamountofyplsota-. graphic Elm used by camera ambush!!! or the amount of Japanese chinaware imported so folk . . . but she did Isa' duty. And else did it welll All shalt! p V SAIPAN was and is a