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Volume I
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Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Number VI
WHY GUANTANAMO?
Since the Spanish- American war,
Guantanamo Bay has been famous as
the scene of certain military operations.
On 19 May, 1898, an unsuccessful
attempt to cut the cable in the
bay was made by the SAINT LOUIS
and the WOMPATUCK. On 10 June,
a force of 600 marines landed from
the transport PANTHER on the eastern
shore of Cuba and undertook to
make the outer harbor a secure place
for the use of American vessels when
coaling or as a rendezvous and a
refuge in stormy weather. The Marines
established their camp ( Camp
McCalla) on a small hill, where they
sustained the attacks of the Spanish
troops for several days; and the courage
and endurance displayed at this
time must be regarded as memorable
features of the war. The MARBLEHEAD
and TEXAS lent assistance,
the latter on 12 June, sending
40 marines with two automatic guns.
In the course of that week the camp
was protected by earthworks; other
warships arrived and shelled the
thickets in which the Spaniards were
concealed, the forests and the town;
the garrison was strengthened by accessions
of bluejackets and Cuban
insurgents familiar with the country;
and thus, when ten days had passed,
the outer harbor was practically in
the possession of the American forces.
In July, 1901, the American government
chose a site on this bay for
one of the naval stations in Cuba. In
1903, land on both sides of the
entrance was leased from the Cuban
government, and the chief naval base
of the United States in the West
Continued on page four
COMMENDATION
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,
2 October, 1934.
From: Commander Cruisers, Scouting
Force.
To Commanding Officer, U. S. S.
HOUSTON.
Subject: U. S. S. HOUSTON - Conduct
of officers and men.
1. Commander Cruisers noted with
pleasure that the conduct of officers
and men of HOUSTON, during the
recent visit to Houston, Texas, was
exemplary.
( s.).. H.. A. RRIS LANING
- COMMITTEE OF
ENTERTAINMENT
The latest news of interest to the
crew is a new idea on board this ship.
That of an entertainment committee
composed of seven officers and one
representative from each division. The
purpose of this committee is to meet
periodically and discuss questions of
ship's entertainment as they arise.
As this is for the benefit of the crew
as a whole, it is desired that all hands
cooperate with divisional representatives.
Previous to meetings, suggestions
may be handed in to your
delegate who will, in turn, bring it
up before committee meetings. These
_ meetings will talk over entertainments
of all kinds.
The committee is composed of the
following members:
Commander C. N. Ingraham.
Lieut. A. J. Homann.
Continued on page four
DOWN IN SHIPS
During the past week, the aviators
have had some unfortunate occurences,
one of which ended in a mortality.
These men who go up so willingly and
without a thought of the danger they
face, in every day flying operations,
are to be highly commended for the
work they do and it is with sincere
regret that we must mention such
casualities during peace time operations.
But the planes must fly regardless
of personal discomfort, difficulties
met with and such incidences such
as has occured to look forward to, and
it is to the credit of all concerned
that we still have the best Naval Air
Force in the world.
Last Wednesday, the PENSACOLA
and the INDIANAPOLIS units suffered
casualties w h i I e conducting
Camera Gun operations. While coming
in to land, the PENSACOLA
plane crashed on the beach adjacent
to Berth No. 25, the cause unknown.
Lieut. ( jg) R. W. Cooper, pilot, was
cut and bruised and CAMM F. Trimborn
received serious multiple injuries.
Plane totally wrecked, not recommended
for repair on the spot.
Two INDIANAPOLIS planes crashed
after a collision in the air during
Camera Gun operations, twenty miles
East of Windward Point. M. J. Underwood,
RM1c, was killed, Lieut. W.
J. Mullins, Lieut. ( jg) C. W. Haman
and W. L. Kim, RM2c., were recovered
uninjured. Both planes badly damaged
and in sinking condition. We
offer our l! Ondolences to the dependents
of Underwood and sincerely and
deeply regret losing a shipmate in
such a manner. ......
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