Santa Fe (CL 60) - Naval Cruise Book

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KN Q Ykfvxf wks :Qs digg X K K it ix QL si ,,,-,,. X .Q NA Ns X. - s Sa!! wafer lreatment eonlinzzesztlzrozzglzozzt entire 1'nz'fz'eztion. up knife, and the Dentist tested out a mouth Wash of soap, quinine, and Diesel oil. Most of the Barber's Work had been done the night before, however, he insured that no prized locks remained.' Blinded with oil and still being encouraged via paddles and shillelaghs, the Pollywogs remaining trial was to crawl through a long canvas chute filled with garbage, oil, and bilge Water. His final test passed successfully, the recruit, bruised from stem to stern, emerged a full-fledged Shellback already contemplating his new station when the next school of Pollywogs should cross the equator. He was not to be disappointed, for While carrying out battle missions, four separate schools of SANTA FE Pollywogs were initiated into the mysteries of King Neptunels Domain. Board paddles and canvas elzzbs raised, double line of Slzellboeks give fast-moving eonvert ez dorsal beating hed!! never forget. Full Lieutenoni Cezbovej exeusedfrom no part of ceremony kisses Raya! Babys belbf. Slap elzule diselzarges newly-made Sliellbaek. l E

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lf' i l i l Shzllelagh zn hand, Depuly 1n.rure.v group I5 well hehaved. the day until Assume the position! rang through every PollyWog's brain. The Royal Party was sighted about 1600 and came aboard to hold court on the Main Deck Aftg all members were present, including the ersatz Princess and the Royal Jesters. The guilty novices crawled to the court through a paddle line that started on the forcastle. Charges were read against each, and after a fair trial, the judge sentenced all to the works . After kneeling to King Neptune,bowing at the Queen's feet, drinking from the Royal Baby's bottle, kissing his belly, and finally being blessed by Holy Joe, the victim was placed under custody ofthe Royal Executioner. The Court Doctor performed surgical operations with a wired- Candidate before Royal ffudgex hears summon.: and is read of , while colleague I 645090 Z00d-hUm07'5db' Wffiffff bald!-haiffuf fmm Bflfhfff- , to mercy of Neptunehv innumerable Shellhajk deioutiei? We! scared Polhvwogs await individual summon: whi h w'll th w them ,.,.. W, ., ,,,, M.. V ll s

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Shipls painter proudly puts finishing touches on Yap flag representing third plane :hot down during first night air attack. High speed, coupled with main battery of 5-inch and torpea'0e.v,mal:e Fletcher class destroyer welcome company on operation. 1 34 ,A 4 'I W -:L fig rf' --if-,A I l I 1.121 , VX ,L , 1 1 . . Y , .R 1 I i , f .11 I g ,A V ,WX I., --y 1' an f f--f--A -ef-.X ii I ' 1 ' 1' 1 . - 1 ., 2. K! i f Q ! ' :f . . . 5111? . P, ' l -1 ,I I 1 1 - f -3 . V1 ry- 1 1 L3 gg r 34.1 . 1 ,, ., LGU J, .st UP THE SLOT, PAST IRON BOT- TOM BAY AND BACK AGAIN HE SANTA FE became a part of the newly created Fifth Fleet October 13, 1943, at Pearl Harbor. This 'T was the Central Pacific Force that was destined to carry the War from Pearl Harbor to the Philippines in a year's time. The first mission of the Fifth Fleet found CruDiv 13 steaming in company with other ships on a strategic training cruise to the Fiji-New Hebrides area. This task group had been assembled for the initial thrust into the Central Pacific, but off the coast of Fiji on November 3, CruDiv 13 received an unexpected and exciting order to relieve bagtile Worn CruDiv 12 which had been supporting the Mariyiielglanding on Bougainville. .Steaming at maximu1n.ffiS1gief.,,g1 and stopping at Espiritu Santo only to fuel, eached Florida Island in short order. g The Word sodngg pt around that the ship's inissioni'Wasi.to 'escort axgrouplybf' landyigjfgtfsii-gs carrying . f sc A 1 ,,.wvifQ1Lv:'z2f? - - rein orcements, to theMai:15iesa1,BQugain1v1l1e. This relief detail steamed outxofTu1agi, througl'iQ55Iron Bottom Bay , around Savo, and lieadesdffnortli fol Bougainville. The transport groups tliat1VWerei'iQofsefnd r- inforcements ashore joined at sunset. 'lia tl da!WnA'orgg.-ifffflfloxfcember the Marines were landed ashgiiitffxprn schedul'eQQ3ffThat evening a lone Jap snooper skiited the formatioziifl- out of range of the' AA batteries and gave the ship's location to every Nip south of Tokyo. After sunset, an estimated 30 to 35 twin engine Bettys made an all-out attack with bombs and torpedoes. Every ship in the group let loose with its anti-aircraft batteries until finally the attackers became discouraged by their losses and decided to retire. The respite was short lived, for about mid-night mile bogeys were back again. They were even more daringg this time, but accurate AA Ere sent Bettys blazing iiiwno, the sea one after another. One flaming coflin passedoveii' the SANTA FE so close that its torpedo rack fell om thee main deck. Cruisers Zig-Zagging .at high speed Were: difficult targets to hit, but so were torpedo planes making, runs at 250 knots. When it ended the Japs had lbstfat' least 15 of their finest torpedo planes and Were: quitC Willing to call it quits. CruDiv 13 did not comerout' unscathed. The BIRIVIINGI-IAIVI had taken 2 tin-f'ish ' plus a bomb hit atop turret No. 3, but her losses were: slight and she reached port Without trouble. When transports sent a message saying Thanks for keeping the: bastards off our necks . The Marines had landed anda the special job given to CruDiv 13 was over. F116 tWo groups joined, the commander of the: 1 X