SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT |
". . . on our previous cruise up in the foggy waters of Newfoundland . . ."
The President's reference to the cruise in Newfoundland relates to his first cruise on the Tuscaloosa which ended on 24 August 1939.
". . . pretty clear that there was going to be another World War . . ."
On 1 September, Germany invaded Poland, marking the beginning of World War II.
"Well, so here we are again in a far different latitude,
in whites . ."
The president is distinguishing between the cooler climate and more northern location of the prior cruise to Newfoundland and Campobello Island and the warmer climate and more southern location of the just-completed tour of Central America. The President disembarked at Pensacola, Florida, and presumably is referring to the crew dressed in their cooler white uniforms rather than their warmer blue uniforms.
". . . I am mighty proud, as all of you know, of the Navy . . ."
FDR served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1913-1920 in the administration of President Woodrow Wilson.
". . . the ship that brought Columbus back on the map . . ."
Probably either a reference to Tuscaloosa rescuing crew and passengers from the scuttled German liner Columbus or a reference to the many trips Tuscaloosa made to the Caribbean and Latin and South America.
". . . I hope for a third [cruise] this coming summer . . ."
FDR did take a third cruise, but not until December, during which he visited the Caribbean, touring some of the bases acquired from Britain in the "destroyers for bases" deal.
". . . mighty good overhaul period . . ."
After disembarking the President at Pensacola, Tuscaloosa proceeded to Norfolk then to the New York Navy Yard for a three-month overhaul.
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