Why were these CD's Made?

1.  The main reason was, over the years, on the USSNN Main Mailing list, we often received the question "Where can I get a cruise book? I lost mine and want one real bad". Over the years, many of us have tried to come up with a solution. We have often spoke of putting the cruise book on a CD for our shipmates, but to be honest, each time we looked into this project. It was just too overwhelming. We're nice guys, but not THAT NICE!!

2.   When we started the USS Museum project in June 2000,  (See http://www.uss-newport-news.com/salem/ for details) there was a BIG need for money. Putting together a REAL Museum is unbelievably expensive! So we brained stormed to see what we could do to dig up some money. Although, the money that this "Cruise Book on CD" project collects is just a drop in the bucket to what it takes to finance a Museum, it does help! 

So, what all is on the CD?

Each CD is primarily, the cruise book. Every Page of the cruise book, from the front cover to the back cover and everything in between. These are large pictures of each page, scanned by volunteers and put into a "Web Browser Interface" to allow easy viewing of the cruise books. 

Additional Features. 

There is also a section on each CD that is stuffed with interesting pictures, sounds files, movie files and information about the USS Newport News. The Additional Features is the same on every CD, no mater what CD you buy. These features cover

Picture Section;
  Almost 100 pictures of the USS Newport News, her crew and places she has visited. These are pictures sent in by other USSNN shipmates from their personal collection of photos taken during their service on the USS Newport News.   

History Section: 
   120 pages of detailed history and related pictures covering the complete history of the USS Newport News Heavy Cruiser.

Movie Page:
  11 great movies of life on the USS Newport News. These movies were made be Dexter Goad, but some of the movies are longer and higher resolution than you will find on the web sites because we do not have to worry about modem download problems.

Sound File pages:
   15 of Dexter Goad's famous sound recordings of events that happened aboard the USS Newport News.  Plus the famous "Newt Robinson & Bob Lester Sound File" Combat recording of the USS Newport News clearing out Haiphong Harbor, Viet Nam, August 27, 1972 and was attacked by 3 PT boats.

Is the CD just a bunch of files that requires computer skills to use?

The CD works just like a web page. You use your browser to view the pages. Using this CD is just like surfing the Internet, but you are not slowed down by your modem! The pictures will load to your screen as fast as your CD player and PC will process them. 

Even getting the CD started is easy. If you have a standard configuration on your CD Player, you just stick the CD into your computer, close the CD door, wait a minute and the program starts automatically.

The look and feel of the program on the CD is very much like the look and feel of our USS Newport News Web site. You will feel right at home.

How much does the CD Cost?

We are asking for a $35.00 donation to the USS Newport News Museum Foundation for each CD.  If you are in desperate need for one of these CDs, and $35.00 is more than you can afford, contact **and we will work something out for you. CD's can be purchased through the USS Newport News Ship's Store.

Does this work on a MAC PC? 
(If you don't know what a MAC is, then this questions does not apply to you!)

Well, I am not sure. It should. But to my knowledge, we have only sold one of these CD's to a MAC PC Owner and he was not able to make the CD work on his PC. If we have any " MAC knowledgeable Computer Geeks" out there that want to help me test this CD on a MAC, it would be very much appreciated. 

When will the rest of the Cruise books be ready.

To be honest, I don't really know at this time. If you wish to reserve one of the 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955 or 1956 CD, Send me an email at ** and I will put you on the list of those waiting and will send you a personal email when they are ready for delivery.

How do I order the CD?

CD's can be purchased through the USS Newport News Ship's Store.

Can we order the CD with our credit card?

Not yet, but we hope to have this feature by May 2002. For the CD ordering and ALSO for the USS NN Ship's Store.