Ahoy Shipmates

Departure of the Fleet from Hawaii.

As time came to depart the Islands on their next leg, the Fleet was rejoined by the Nebraska having been fumigated and declared fit for service. They were still short one unit upon departure as the Minnesota remained behind to receive the mail due from San Francisco. It was well understood the important relationship between mail and morale.

As the ships departed the Admiral added a new element to the ship maneuvering drills during formation steaming. It involved the lead ships peeling off to the right and left and making a circle back into the formation and rejoining at the end. Unfortunately, it almost led to the first ship fatality when the New Jersey rammed the Nebraska’s bow causing a slice that needed repair before the Fleet could continue on its way.

The Fleet then headed south to New Zealand, a passage of 3,870 miles and the longest uninterrupted leg of the world cruise. En route, the Fleet passed within sight of Tutuila in American Samoa, but, remarkably, the battleships did not refuel. Carefully conserving their coal, they all completed the passage.

Regards



Sean