Stevenson (DD 645) - Naval Cruise Book

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, t if Qwwfxi - .4 sw ar were It all began in the Federal Shipyards of Kearny, New lersey, where thou- sands of ship-builders Correlated their workmanship on steel, from our great steel mills to put together Q ship which was to join the fighting forces of the Navy. To the Navy it was a ship, to the civilians a boat, but to us who came aboard on the 15th of December 1942, it was our home . Ou that day Lt. Comdr. T. C. Green, U.S.N., accepted the command of the Stevenson which then became a commissioned ship of the U. S. Navy. Everyone of us who did something or other, in our own field of training, for the completion of the Stevenson felt a thrill of 'deep pride. We knew that this ship had tovserve a purpose for Freedom-that's why we were there too, so though the gripes and groans were many, there was gladness in our hearts when the day came to take her out to sea. F or a great number of the crew the' Steve was their first ship and she threw them when at sea because a new ship is like a wild horse, except to the bronc- buster who can handle a wild bronc because of his experience. In short many of the men were slightly seasick. . So on we sailed to Casco Bay for a shake-down cruise. After several weeks of hard work and strenuous training in every drill conceivable, we turned the Steve's nose back for a check-up to see how well she had mastered the sea. That short voyage back to New York was ahappy one because we were ready to accept whatever duty was given us, but that happiness was sliced in half when in the dark of night a Collier cut through the bow of the Stevenson just forward of Gun l. The damage was great but the loss of a life in that ac- cident was a greater sorrow to us who knew l. L. Granger, Cox, as a friend and shipmate. This catastrophe only delayed our joining the fight for freedom with thousands of other Navy ships. Our thanks go to the workmen of Bethlehem Steel Co. who put in many' hours of hard work fitting out a new bow for the Stevenson. During that period the crew greatly enjoyed the privileges of un- authorized liberty through the open bow. About the middle of March we received our call to active duty status. The nature of that duty was unknown to the members of the crew, so the stories were really tall. The prophecies of many were soon to unfold into a reality. The duty given us was that of convoying merchant ships to Casablanca, North Africa. ' We'll hesitate a moment to recall the many interesting incidents and mem- ories of that distant place Casablanca . 5

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Jaw ACME THE U. S. S. STEVENSON LLEFTI AND THE U. S. S. STOCKTON. TWO OF THE FOUR DESTROYERS LAUNCHED DURING A BRIEF CEREMONY COMMEMORATING THE 24TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMISTICE DAY, ARE READY TO SLIDE THE WAYS AT THE FEDERAL SHIFBUILDING AND DRY DOCK CO. AT KEARNY. . I ffg F'7JyZf1!f l'1 ACME THE DESTROYER U. S. S. STEVENSON CLEFTJ GOES DOWN THE WAYS AFTER ITS CHRISTENING AT KEARNY DURING A BRIEF CELEBRATION IN COMMEMORATION OF ARMISTICE DAY. THE U. S. S. STOCKTON. ANOTHER OF THE FO-UR DESTROYERS LAUNCHED AT THE CEREMONY, IS READY TO FOLLOW. V,--,I , -..-1,7 r If f-1,.v, 4 ' I X , I I

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F Qcwmmm' 'Q OFFICIAL U. S. NAVY PHOTO REAR ADM, E. J. MAROUART. U55 N. ADDRESSING OFFICERS AND MEN DURING COMMISSIONING. -'Y 3 1 new 'Www' ,,,,. Y- --f, .A Lf' ,..v 41'-n -.n -vs OFFICIAL U. S. NAVY PHOTO gal' 6 if' I