Tazewell (APA 209) - Naval Cruise Book

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qxXXXXXXxyx XQXXNVNWYX xxx A .VJ-Mx I ' iv Af' I t Lf f ' 1' .PRECUIHHIISSIUHIHG DHIH The U.S.S. Tazewell was constructed by the Permanente Metals Corpor- ation, Richmond Shipyard No. 2, Richmond, California, under the U. S. Mari- time Commission Contract MC-15762, Hull No. 557. The ship was outfitted by the Kaiser Company, Incorporated. It was the 536th vessel turned out by the Permanente Shipyards, being constructed according to U. S. Maritime Commission specifications and plans VC2-S-AP5 for a single screw transport, together with those changes which were found to be necessary in building. The gross tonnage is 7,408, length 455 feet and 3 inches, with a beam of 62 feet. This vessel has a light displacement of 6,330 tons, and when loaded 11,760 tons. It is capable of making 18.6 knots with a full load displacement. The ship mounts one 38 gun, five 40mm's C1 quad of twinsj, and ten 20mm's, and carries twenty-six landing craft. Her sister ships are the APAS 117 through 235. Our complement totals 521 officers and men, with a berth- ing accommodation for 2,116 personnel, including troop berthing. The ship's keel was laid on June 2, 1944, and she was launched at 5 :OO p.m., August 22, 1944. The Tazewell was named after counties in Illinois and Virginia. The sponsc-irx at the launching was Mrs. Samuel I. Rosenman, White House, Washington, D. C., and Mrs. David D. Bohannon, Uakford Road, Red- wood City, California, was the matron of honor. Mrs. Lois Berry, 2315 Dwight Way, Apt. 112, Berkeley, California, was the flower girl. The Chaplain was W. N. Vincent, U. S. Naval Reserve, Treasure Island. Mr. Edgar Kaiser was the speaker and Mr. Bedford was the master of ceremonies. A dinner was given in honor of Mrs. Rosenman at the Yard Three Banquet Room at 6:00 p.m., August 22, 1944. The U.S.S. Tazewell was commissioned at pier 27, San Francisco, Cali- fornia, at 1400, 25 October 1944. 10 x xxxv'5 xXNXXxxxxxXN5-X Wxxxxx 1 1 f

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xxxXX9 Nkxxxxxvx XqxxXXXXXXxyx xxyxXXXXXxy X THE IRHVELS UF THE IHZEUIELL The U .S.S. 'l'z1Z6'll'6H QAPA 2099 was to be no longer just the name of the ship to which we had been assigned. She was now as never before a definite and important part of our lives and future, and we a part of hers. A Clicerful October 25, 1944, found us a m03t proud and elated crew aboard a vessel newly com- missioned, but as yet untried. Immediately after the ,o ' traditional commissioning ceremony we made our I departure from pier 27, San Francisco, assisted by I Navy tugs. With the goodbyes and cheers of loved L 9 ones, and well-wishes still ringing in our ears, we NJ were slowly towed across San Francisco Bay. Our destination to be, the Naval Supply Depot at Oak- land. Our stay at the NSD was but a brief one, sup- plies were loaded day and night until all stores were aboard. From the supply depot we re-crossed the bay, this time to the U. S. Naval Drydocks, Hunter's Point. It was here that all minor repairs and alterations were made, which in time would mean so very much to the smooth operation of the ship. It was at Hunteris Point that the 'Trembling T was clothed in her first war painted suit. Zigzagging lines of every shape, size, and color covered the ship's con- tours from stem to stern. Freshly painted and with all necessary repairs com- pleted, the T was pronounced fit for sea. Preparations were then made to get underway for Mare Island. It was there that the ammunition, which was to provide the life's spark of our guns, was loaded. We remained at Mare Island for about a day until loading was completed. Returning to San Francisco we lay at anchor in the stream awaiting further orders. A directive was received sooner than was expected, ordering us to sail for San Pedro, California. The trip from San Francisco to San Pedro was a pleasant one, it lasted only a day, and we were escorted part of the ll