USS Barnstable County (LST-1197) Commissioning Ceremony Photos

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The newly launched USS Barnstable County (LST-1197) docked at National Steel and Shipbuilding pier in San Diego, CA, prior to her travelling to Naval Ship Yard Long Beach for commissioning.

Photo courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command Website

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CDR Ellsworth and his officers greeting a representative of the City of Barnstable at ship's Precommissioning dinner.
LR: LTJG Reid Marsh, LTJG John & Linda Wagner, Mary Ann Hodge, ENS Dave Rollins, CDR Warren Ellsworth(CO), Barnstable rep., ENS Dave Clark, LCDR Clifford Gorman(XO), WO1 James Herward

Photo courtesy of Steve Keyser

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Travel Authorization from Norfolk, VA to Long Beach, CA via United Airlines, then travel to Naval Shipyard Long Beach, via Greyhound Bus.

Photo courtesy of Mark Bower

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Arrival at Long Beach, CA via United Airlines DC-8, before getting onto Greyhound Buses to take us to the ship docked at Naval Shipyard, Long Beach. Giving my then fiance, now wife, Linda, a great big hug. We hadn't seen each other for months.

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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Commissioning Invitation Envelope sent to my then fiance's family.

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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Commissioning Ceremony RSVP Card sent to my then fiance's family.

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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Commissioning Ceremony Parking Pass sent to my then fiance's family.

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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Map of Long Beach Naval Shipyard (LBNSY), showing the location of the ship, sent to my then fiance's family.
LBNSY no longer exists. The Navy closed the base in 1997 and this location is now a civilian container-ship facility.
Click here to see what the Port of Long Beach looks like today (Red teardrop is Pier "E" where ship was docked).

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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CDR Ellsworth giving his command exceptance speech.

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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Crew going up gangway to "Man the Rails". Ens. Clark is the officer in foreground

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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Commissioning crew of USS Barnstable County "Manning the Rails."

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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Family and friends enjoying "open ship" on the new USS Barnstable County

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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Looking aft at brand new shiny helo deck

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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May 27, 1972 - A then QMSN Dollins with his Mom in front of the newly commissioned USS Barnstable County's gangway just after the completion of the commissioning ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

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A Commemorative Envelope postmarked in honor of the ship's commissioning (Found on Ebay).

Envelope Image Courtesy of Dennis Moore

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A map I drew for my then fiance showing directions to Long Beach Naval Shipyard (LBNSY) after the ship's commissioning.

Photo courtesy of Linda Dollins

|Top of Page |Home |NASSCO Pier |Pre-Comm Dinner |Orders to Long Beach |Arrival at Long Beach |Invitation Envelope |RSVP Card |Parking Pass |Naval Shipyard Map |Speech |Up the Gangway |Manning the Rail |Open Ship |Helo Deck |QMSN Dollins |Commemorative Envelope |Hand Drawn Map |