Siboney (CVE 112) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 9 text:

N ,, I I Commanding Officer CAPTAIN F. E. BARDWELL, USN N'-1 Q2 N 'P ,, I 'F ,-vu' 31? ' Qw 5 A , ff , 'Ni r f 0- A NF Execuhve Officer COMMANDERJ E DOUGHERTY USN 9 J

Page 8 text:

fi ,4 ,,.f..w-ix COMCARDIV I6 AND STAFF ' J -ll I Bit fill!! if ' For thirty-three years, embarked in Navy Ships I have cruised the oceans of the world, visiting ports dehned by almost all of the meridians and latitudes. Yet, on this cruise, as on every other, I have ex. perienced the thrill of seeing new coast lines ng for the drama of life. These new settings Would emerge from the horizon to reveal another setti not he, had not the historical procession of the Magellans, Vasca Da Gama, Norsemen and Yankee Clippers, and others responded to that restless urge to move from the known into the unknown. We who join the Navy do see the world, and a Wonderful world it is. What have I profited from this? A kinship with my fellow man of yesterday and today: Un- derstanding ,of the essential similarity of all men in their greatness, weakness, courage, loves, hopes and fears. A profound humility in the presence of Almighty God who created this world of wonder and beauty, and comrades like yourselves to share it. W f f f w ,f ss E r,'. ,, .i.., X . Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy Commander Carrier Division I6

Page 10 text:

HE U.S.S. SIBONEY QCVE-1121 is a 12,000 ton escort carrier of the '4Co1n- mencement Bay , Class and was launch- ed at Todd Pacific Shipyard, Tacoma, Washington on 9 November 194--1. She acquired her name from the Cuban village near which troops of Theodore Roosevelfs Hough Riders fought during the war with Spain. Her first commanding ofiicer was Captain Stan- hope C. Ring, USN who with his crew of 803 officers and men put the SIBONEY through her trial runs and shakedown cruise. Thereafter, in August 1945, the SIU, commenced her first voy- age, a cruise of South Pacific and Japanese waters which brought her to Tokyo Bay in October, Next was a stop at the Phillipines where 47 civilian re- patriates were taken aboard, and visits to Guam and Pearl Harbor. Shortly after reaching San Diego in January 1946, the SIBONEY commenced another trip across the Pacific. Returning, she operated off the West Coast until June 1947, when she departed for her new home port, Norfolk. The next several months found her engaged in refresher exercises in the Caribbean, Later, the ship was immobilized until March 1948, when she was activated to carry former U. S. aircraft consigned to Turkey. After visits to several Medi- terranean ports the SIBONEY returned to Norfolk whereupon she again left for the Mediterranean. XB km . Why, Next followed an overhaul period and extended exercises with the Second Task Fleet until her in- activation in December 1949. The outbreak of the Korean War brought abOL1I SIBONEY'S reactivation and formal recommission- ing ceremonies were held on 22 November 1950. After a shakedown cruise in the Caribbean the ship returned to Norfolk and thereafter participat- ed in Operation Convex 11 and maneuvers off the East Coast. On Labor Day 1951, she left for 21 cruise of the Mediterranean and participation in ASW exercises with NATO naval units. After her return the carrier worked with Marine Helicopters in Operation Helex and with NaVY Helicopters off Key West, Florida until July 1952, when she entered the shipyard for major overhaul and modernization. FOllOWing her recommissioning in ,lanuary 1953, the SIBONEY underwent another shakedown period and again participated in exercises off GuantanamO Bay, Cuba prior to taking her role in Hunter- Killer QASWJ operations which continued until late August. With extensive preparations completed, the MSIE got underway for the Mediterranean on 16 September commanded by Captain liardwell. Par- ticipation with NATO naval units in Operation Mariner preceded the visit to the first port of call, Plymouth. Thereafter, these pages bear witness to the SIBONEY'S latest travels.