U.S.S. STEAMER BAY (CVE-87)
This page is dedicated to all who served on and from the U.S.S. Steamer Bay
4 December 1943 - 28 September 1945
War History, U.S.S. STEAMER BAY
Page 5
Operations with Task Group 30.8 were for the most part routine and uneventful. No enemy aircraft, submarines or surface craft were encountered. Numerous enemy mines drifting in the operating area were a constant menace to the formation, although none of the ships had the misfortune of striking any.
As an extra curricular activity the ship decided to aid the progress of the war in another way. It determined to set a high mark in the Seventh War Loan Drive. The goal was set at a bond per man. As an inducement every man buying at least a hundred dollar bond received a photograph of himself by the miniature Japanese trophy flags painted on the side of the bridge. A similar photograph was also sent to the editor of the home paper for public relations purposes. Thus the beneficial results were twofold: Bonds and Public Relations Material.
The results of the bond drive were far beyond all expectations. The average sales amounted to $74.54 per person in cost value of bonds, a total of $76,238. Later it was announced that the STEAMER BAY had led all the carriers of the fleet.
On the last day of operations with TG 30.8 the STEAMER BAY had its one and only burial ceremony at sea. The body of Katough A. R., AMM2c, who had drowned in the crash of a TBM when its engine had failed after being catapulted earlier in the day, was committed to the deep, amid the roar of landing planes and ships maneuvering to come alongside to transfer personnel and mail.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Dougherty
The ship left TG 30.8 on 20 July for Guam in company with the ADMIRALTY ISLANDS (CVE99), GOSS (DE444), K. C. CAMPBELL (DE443), U. M. MOORE (DE442) and WEAVER (DE741), comprising Task Unit 30.18.16. Prior to arrival on 24 July all flyable aircraft of VC-93 were flown to Orote Field on Guam. Others were transferred by lighter after arrival. All gasoline and critical aviation material that could be used in the forward area were also transferred.
The ADMIRALTY ISLANDS and STEAMER BAY
departed
Guam on 25 July. The ship was on her way to the west coast of the
United
States - at long last. The destroyer HERDON (DD638) was sent along as
escort
until Eniwetok was sighted about 15 miles on the starboard bow 28 July.
Thereupon
she was detached to proceed and report to CTG 96.3 at Eniwetok.
The ship remained in company with the ADMIRALTY ISLANDS until she entered Pearl Harbor on 3 August, whereupon each vessel proceeded independently. Composite Squadron NINETY-THREE was then detached from duty involving flying, but remained on board for passage to the United States, in compliance with despatch orders from Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet. Bombs and rockets were unloaded for delivery to the Naval Ammunition Depot on Oahu, and fuel required for the remainder of the trip to the West Coast was delivered aboard.
The following day the ship got underway independently on the last leg of the long voyage from Guam to the United States. The ultimate destination was San Diego.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Dougherty
Needless to say, all hands were very happy when the ship finally moored alongside the main pier (Berth "J") at North Island, San Diego, California on 10 August, after an absence of fourteen months from the United States. Composite Squadron NINETY-THREE disembarked and reported to the Commander Fleet Air, West Coast, for leave, rehabilitation and reassignment.
The next day fresh fruits, vegetables and frozen foods were received on board for use in the General Mess. The crew had their first fresh milk and real ice cream for over a year. It was a treat really worth while. However, it was necessary to take the bitter with the sweet, for most of the day and night was spent by all hands in loading stores and unloading the rest of the ammunition prior to going to the Repair Base.
On 12 August the ship was shifted to Pier No. 5 at the Naval Repair Base in San Diego to commence a forty-seven day availability period. It was possible to grant each member of the crew a well earned leave period of twenty days during this time.
The news concerning the cessation of hostilities came at 1555 on 14 August while the ship was in drydock at the Repair Base and all hands were down in the dock scraping the ship's bottom. Everyone threw down his scraper and ran out of the drydock to join in the joyous celebration. So, there was no more work accomplished that day.
For a while the ultimate future of the STEAMER BAY was a matter of speculation. At first she was going to operate out of San Diego as a training carrier. Of course that was good news. Then, on 20 September word was received that this once proud veteran of combat was going to be converted to a troop ship. Accordingly, 920 bunks, with the necessary sanitary facilities were installed on the hangar deck. The Air Department was demobilized and the ship's complement reduced to 40 officers and 490 men.
On 28 September 1945 the STEAMER BAY set sail from San Diego to Pearl Harbor on her first assignment as a troop transport. It was the beginning of a happy ending for a vessel that had been so lucky in the war. She had come through six operations in the Pacific Theater unscathed, and had eight planes to her credit (2 shot down by ship and 6 by VC-90). As a carrier she had a record of 3386 landings, 2247 catapult launchings and 1290 fly-away launchings.
May her luck and good fortune forever endure.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Dougherty
I wish to extend a special Thanks to Thomas C. Dougherty and his wife Vikki for all the pictures.
Thomas is the son of Thomas R. Dougherty who served on the
USS Steamer bay as a communications technician.
E-mail Thomas at 1dougherty@adelphia.net
I also wish to Thank Corrine Williams for all her help getting this page started.
Other sites to
visit:
New A Poem by William Calvert
- Click here! New
Visit with R Division of the Steamer Bay - Click here!
See the crossing of the Equator - Click here!
See more of the Steamer Bay's crew - Click here!
Visit
Steamer Bay Shipmates
- Click here!
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