USS Wisconsin Veteran's Photos, 1953-1955, Part 2

Here is batch number two of the photos we recently received from a battleship Wisconsin veteran. The veteran served on the ship between 1953 and 1955. Once again, we are looking for assistance identifying certain pictures.


"Crossing the Line" ceremony just underway, June 1953

Crossing the Line ceremony, June 1953, with polywogs ( on the left) about to go through the line.
USS Samuel B. Roberts is in the background making her way through rough seas.

King Neptune and Court for the Crossing the Line ceremony, June 1953.

We think this is Wisconsin in New York City, 1955, for Armed Forces Day; however, we are not sure.

We know this is the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41) and the picture was
taken from Wisconsin. But where was the picture taken? One guess is Naval Station
Norfolk as the Navy homeported both ships there in the 1950s. 

This one has us stumped. It looks a Marine landing exercise, maybe off Puerto Rico?

Another stumper- Guantanamo? Naval Station Roosevelt Roads? You tell us!

USS Wisconsin Veteran's Photos, 1953-55, Part 1

We recently received copies of photographs taken by a veteran of the battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64). He served on the ship from 1953 to 1955 and took these remarkable color photographs with a camera his father gave him right before he shipped out. In 1953, Wisconsin went to Japan before returning to Norfolk, then she headed out to sea again for training exercises and midshipmen cruises in 1954 and '55.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to identify many of the pictures and we would appreciate any help you can provide. Please comment if you can provide any further insight into these images!

Sixteen-inch shells being loaded on board Wisconsin, Sasebo, Japan, 1953

Setting up for divine services on Wisconsin's fantail, Sasebo, Japan, 1953

After being relieved by Wisconsin as flagship of the 7th Fleet,
USS New Jersey (BB-62) begins her long trek home to Norfolk. 

Here is one of our mystery photos- We think this is Wisconsin
at Pier 4, Naval Station Norfolk, 1954. What do you think?

Here is a rare shot of a submarine coming alongside a battleship!  Specifically,
this is USS Grenadier (SS-525). The story behind this encounter was that the
submarine needed cash to make payroll. So, she surfaced and came alongside
Wisconsin to ask for money. 

USS Furst (DD-882) coming alongside Wisconsin.  We think
this was taken in 1953.

Here is another mystery photo- All we know is that the sailor took<
the picture from Wisconsin in the 1950s.We got an answer! This ship is the
destroyer escort USS Tweedy (DE-532) in June 1953.

1917 U.S. Navy's Battleship Force

You might have noticed the picture in the background of this blog. This is a 1917 picture of one of the U.S. Navy's divisions in its "Battleship Force" in Hampton Roads. The lead ship at right is the battleship USS New York (BB-34). Other ships in the picture are believed to be USS Nevada (BB-36), USS Delaware (BB-28), USS Wyoming (BB-32), and USS Florida (BB-30). (USS Texas (BB-35) and USS Arkansas (BB-33) are other possibilities. Any help in identifying the vessels would be most appreciated.)

This battleship division was one of four such units in the U.S. Navy. These divisions made up the bulk of the Fleet's firepower and were the pride of the Navy. The ships rotated between Hampton Roads, New York, and various training grounds in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With the Navy considering a place for its first ever “Operating Base” in 1917, it was pictures like this that demonstrated why Hampton Roads was ultimately chosen. The harbor was able to handle several of the largest ships in the fleet with plenty of maneuvering room.

Mystery USS Wisconsin (BB-64) Picture

We have this image of USS Wisconsin (BB-64)  in our collection and we could use your help in identifying when and where it could have been taken. Thanks your help!