The Philadelphia Story -- Kitty Hawk Celebrates More Than 4 Decades of Service
Navy NewStand
Story Number: NNS030429-06
Release Date: 4/29/2003 9:43:00 PM
By Journalist 1st Class Janet M. Davis, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs
ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- In 1956, the same year USS Kitty Hawk's (CVA 63) keel was laid in Philadelphia, Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby attracted thousands to the theater in a movie remake of "The Philadelphia Story."
In this movie, Crosby and Kelly reminisce of their former marriage and a former yacht. After fondly discussing the craft's virtues, Kelly sighs, "My, she was yar," meaning nautically admirable in every way.
Five years later, at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, the same could be spoken about the world's first guided-missile carrier.
The second U.S. Navy ship to be named for the small North Carolina town near which the Wright brothers discovered powered flight, Kitty Hawk was the first in a class of three super carriers. Constructed by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, N.J., and commissioned April 29, 1961, her air wing included more than 80 aircraft, and her complement exceeded 5,000 officers and enlisted men.
In her initial role, according to her commissioning ceremony pamphlet, as an all-weapons attack aircraft carrier, she was touted as our most dependable means of deterring conflicts because of an immediate availability and readiness to supply a stabilizing influence when crises arise in critical world areas.
These highly mobile bases were virtually immune to enemy ballistic missile attack when at sea. In short, the pamphlet adds, Kitty Hawk was a long-legged, far ranging force, giving confidence to the free world and pause to any potential enemy.
Prior to her first voyage, which would take her around Cape Horn at the tip of South America and ultimately to her new home port, San Diego, Kitty Hawk's crew performed shakedown training in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, fueled in Trinidad, and made courtesy calls in Brazil, Chile and Peru.
According to the San Diego Evening Tribune Nov. 1, 1961, when Kitty Hawk arrived, there was much fanfare as the ship transited a newly dredged, 42-foot-deep, $4.5 million channel fashioned specifically to accommodate the city's new addition.
"Whistles, horns and sirens tooted and wailed from ships and boats, as the carrier passed Ballast Point and entered the inner harbor," noted the newspaper.
"At the harbor entrance, a fleet of pennant-flying escorts, the pilot's boat, helicopters and planes overhead combined in a big 'hello'. Kitty Hawk gave a blast from its whistle in return. A swing band on the deck of a sightseeing craft forgot about Dixie and played, 'California, Here I Come.'"
The commanding officer, Capt. William F. Bringle, soon accepted the keys to the city, and Kitty Hawk began a 37-year partnership by bringing an initial $2.5 million annually into the San Diego economy.
Over the next few years, as she experienced many firsts, she would be admired by many prestigious visitors, including then-president John F. Kennedy and Walt Disney.
My, she was yar.
The ship celebrates her 42nd birthday April 29.
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