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1949

To Sea at Last

After commissioning, the NEWPORT NEWS proceeded to the Norfolk Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va. for outfitting and preparation for her shakedown cruise. The ship reported to Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic and US Atlantic Fleet March 24, 1949, and underwent a vigorous shakedown training period in the Caribbean Sea area from April 5 to June 20, 1949, after completion of which she was assigned to Commander Battleships and Cruisers Atlantic Fleet for duty.

From June 20 to August 1, 1949, the ship remained in the Norfolk area, then departed August 1, 1949, on a two-week Reserve Training cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia. During part of this cruise the NEWPORT NEWS was flagship for Admiral W.H.P. Blandy, then Commander-in-Chief, US Atlantic Fleet.

After a successful Reserve Training cruise the ship was assigned to the Norfolk area again under Commander Operational Development Force, scheduled to make a northern cruise. The cruiser flagship crossed the Arctic Circle with the Second Task Fleet (Task Force 89) during November 1949. After this cruise, her first captain, Captain Roland Smoot, was relieved by Captain James S. Laidlaw.

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