By Ensign David L. Greger, SC, USNR
Photos By Ensign John C. Corbett, SC, USN
July 1976 NEWSLETTER

What ever became of those ornate ship's silver services which once added a note of class to formal wardroom affairs? Not so long ago, the commissioning of a Navy vessel meant also the presentation of a silver service to be used aboard the ship on special occasions. Considering the rising cost of precious metals over the years, such a practice has been curtailed in scope and grandeur. How is it then that one of the newest ships in the Fleet has a 32-piece set of presentation silver and that this set is, perhaps, the oldest in the Fleet?

USS CALIFORNIA (CGN36) received prior to her February 1974 commissioning, a beautiful set of silver whose history is as intriguing as the pieces are beautiful. The silver seems to be particularly lucky, as it has managed to avoid numerous disasters and still comes out "shining."

The story begins in the year 1907 when a group of Californians formed a committee to solicit donations for a silver service to be presented to the Navy's new armored cruiser CALIFORNIA. Slightly more than $10,000 was collected for the project and Shreve and Company of San Francisco was commissioned to create a unique set. For $8,019.90 they created a 32-piece service of sterling silver. Most of the pieces have raised letters in 18k gold, spelling out the name of the "Golden State" as well as 18k gold medallions of the State Seal or the Seal of the Navy Department. The lids on serving pieces are crowned with golden bears, symbols of strength, and of the State of California. In 1908 the silver service was presented to the new cruiser and, for the first time, the treasure went to sea.

In 1914, when the Navy established the policy of naming battleships for states and cruisers for cities, cruiser CALIFORNIA was renamed SAN DIEGO. The unique monogrammed silver service became suddenly inappropriate and was removed; to be held in reserve for the Battleship CALIFORNIA (BB44) which was authorized in 1915 and commissioned 6 years later.

San Diego fared less well than the neglected silver service. She was sunk off the Long Island coast by a German submarine in 1918 as the ship patrolled along American shores after our entry into World War I.

By the time World War I ended, the battleship CALIFORNIA (BB44) was under construction. She was sent down the ways in 1919 and was commissioned 2 years later. Newly polished and gleaming proudly, the CALIFORNIA silver service found its second home. For the next 20 years the silver service brought beauty and elegance to functions aboard the big battle-wagon.

As America approached war, many ships were stripped of extraneous non war-essential material. CALIFORNIA'S silver service was removed and placed in storage at the Naval Supply Depot, San Diego, just in time to avoid going to the bottom of Pearl Harbor with the battleship. The CALIFORNIA was subsequently raised and refitted, and she played an important role in the war in the Pacific.

With the return of peace, the silver was returned to a slightly altered and battle weary CALIFORNIA. The big dreadnought was placed out of commission in 1947. At the decommissioning of the battleship, the elusive silver service was placed aboard USS CORAL SEA (CVA43) then being build in Newport News, Virginia. One year later, it was placed in storage at the Naval Supply Center in Norfolk, where it remained for the next four years.

In 1952, the silver service was assigned to the Commander, Carrier Division Four, then aboard USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN. It was transferred between flagships of the carrier divisions and then among several aircraft carriers including USS CORAL SEA, USS RANDOLPH, USS INTREPID, USS FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT, and USS FORRESTAL, finally being placed in storage in Norfolk Virginia.

In 1973 the CALIFORNIA silver service was designated for assignment to the nuclear-powered guided missile frigate USS CALIFORNIA (DLGN36) and upon examination was found to be in need of careful refinishing. The entire silver service was sent to Sacramento, California, for refurbishing through Shreve and Company. The cost of this work was absorbed by the Sacramento chapter of the Navy League of California. Once refurbished, the silver service was formally presented to LCDR A. J. Hodgdon representing the U.S. Navy by Mrs. Ronald Reagan, first lady of the State of California on behalf of the people of the State. The silver was then placed aboard the USS CALIFORNIA (DLGN36) and during commissioning ceremonies on 16 February 1974, was presented to the Commanding Officer by Mr. V. Orr, Director of Financial Management for the State of California.

Since its placement aboard CALIFORNIA (CGN36), this well traveled silver service has brought and will continue to bring elegance and grace to official wardroom functions. Five of these fine pieces are on permanent display in the ship's wardroom. The value of the set has been appraised in 6 figures. This presentation service is a treasure that continues to exemplify the pride and spirit of the "Golden State." It is a priceless asset that is greatly appreciated and an appropriate reflection on the prowess and spirit of our nuclear cruiser CALIFORNIA

ENS David L. Greger, SC, USNR, currently is serving as the Food Service Officer aboard USS CALIFORNIA (CGN36). He WAS graduated from Willamette University, Salem, Oregon, in 1972 and entered active service in November of that year. After serving a tour as a personnelman aboard USS PENSACOLA (LSD38), he was selected for officer training, and earned a commission in June 1974 from Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island. Following training at NSCS Athens, Georgia, he was stationed temporarily aboard USS CONCORD (AFS5) and later permanently assigned to CALIFORNIA.

ENS John C. Corbett, SC, USN, serves USS CALIFORNIA (CGN36) as Sales and Disbursing Officer. He entered the NROTC program in September 1970 and received his commission upon graduation from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in December 1974. From Miami University, he headed to Athens, Georgia, completing his tour at NSCS in June 1975 and reporting CALIFORNIA in July 1975.