Verns cruise on USS CLEVELAND LPD 7 LPD

Vern’s cruise on USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7) (LPD) Amphibious Transport Dock July 31 2007

USS Cleveland is in Puget Sound to participate in Seattle parade. Here C. O. - Capt. Chuck Mc. Culloch welcomes we civilians aboard

The FLIGHT DECK The “cleve” (Cleveland) handles every type of helicopter the Navy has except an Osprey. The Harrier Jump Jet tears up the deck covering so everyone runs for cover. Most civilians were inside out of the hot sun

Crews mess hall “cleve SPORTS BAR” I went through the line here to get lunch.

I sat in a back booth with a crew member. It turns out he is a SK from Florida The hot foods are served from galley shown at far right.

I used this head on the deck below the mess hall. Later I used another head which was astern – starboard side. It was part of a compartment where the crew was taking a break by playing spades. They take it very seriously here. I went forward to take the photo of Bunker Hill leaving the area. Then I took this photo of the anchor system.

Fuel Receive Station Port Side Two crew members get to touch up the paint in this area. One big reason I took this cruise was to obtain photos of UNREP receiving fixtures. BM 2 Jose Lopez explained each device as shown on next slide.

The SPAN WIRE Connects here This ship has the single probe --------- receiver only | v Refuel Station Starboard Valve and piping above is for fuel used to power the ships boilers. -----------Aviation Fuel Valve and piping -----------------Motor Oil Valve The RED HANDLE above is for QUICK RELEASE

50 CALIBER MACHINE GUN The crew member at left showed me the box of cartridges setting in front of him, tracers and all. You will see the MK-15 Phalanx perched up on the superstructure slide; after leaving Everett. This is on the Stern Port side

USS BUNKER HILL CG 52 She was moored at Everett just in front of Cleveland Here she is leaving for parade in Seattle. Below she speeds away I have a CHALLENGE COIN from Bunker Hill given to me by the CO Captain Gaouette. Challenge coins bear an organizations emblem and are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. I was a little upset that I couldn’t take the cruise with her.

REHEARSAL for Parade Salute They will be in dress uniform during the parade Records are made for all actions aboard ship. In image above you see two coils of cable with electrodes attached to them. These electrodes are placed to trail behind the ship to electrically determine the velocity of the passing water. You can see I spent a lot of time in this port side flightdeck attending area. I had several conversations with the crew.

LEAVING EVERETT Tug Wenatchee Navy Tugs push against the ships port side The GANGWAY is removed CLEVELAND IS AWAY

NAVY BASE - EVERETT Fades into the distance

Cleveland’s superstructure displaying underway flags. ^ ^ ^ The “Board Command Pennant” has the number 3 on it. seen right in the center of the image. Two MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS - pronounced "sea-whiz") a fast-reaction, rapid-fire 20 -millimeter gun system; are on the ship.

Mukilteo - Clinton Ferry Runs between the mainland Whidbey Island Both ferries passed their midway points astearn USS Cleveland LPD 7

Mount Baker, a volcano 50 miles north Mount Rainier, a volcano 50 miles south Thirty minutes later Seattle come in site

I SALUTE Vern in Elliott Bay Capt. Mc. Culloch A crew member took my photo I really enjoyed this little trip. It’s been 52 years since being on my old ship, USS Kawishiwi AO-146 View: www/usskawishiwi. org Music: The Buffalo Hunt This ship may be 40 years old but it is in really fine shape. He sure knows how to display our Navy to we civilians. THANKS

PIER 91 The most northern pier in Seattle’s Elliott Bay And there is Bunker Hill on the east side of the pier, Behind the Coast Guard. In image at left you can see crew members preparing to throw a bolo to the mooring crew on the pier. It was interesting to watch them make up their rig.

MOORING AT PIER 91 The oil slick containment rig was inplace The all important bumpers are in place The only negative part of this cruise was my required walk to the other end of the pier to my son’s car, beyond the distant blue building. Where was the bus? I nearly collapsed.

Homeport: San Diego, California Launched: 7 May 1966 Pascagoula, MS Commissioned: 21 Apr. 1967 Norfolk, VA Length: 570 feet Beam: 84 feet Draft: 23 feet Well deck and upper vehicle stowage area: 394 feet Propulsion: Two 600 lb. steam turbines (1 per shaft) 24, 000 horsepower per shaft. Compliment when deployed: Officers: 28 (USN) 12(USMC) Enlisted: 355 (USN) Troops: 415 (USMC) Max speed: 21 knots The Ships Boats Include: Two 36 ft Landing Craft Personnel Large (LCPL) boats, 425 hp. One 7 meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RUIB), 175 hp.

LANDING CRAFT CAPABILITY 20+ Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV’s) 20+ Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC’s) 1 Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1 Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)

USS Cleveland (LPD 7) pulls away from Pier 91 in Seattle as she gets underway for the Parade of Ships in support of Seattle Seafair 2007.

SEATTLE (Aug. 1, 2007) - The amphibious transport docks ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) transits through Puget Sound during Seattle Seafair 2007. USS Cleveland (LPD 7), USS Rentz (FFG 46) and USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) are be participating in the weeklong festivities. U. S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2 nd Class Douglas G. Morrison (RELEASED)