Naval Covers USS Tuscaloosa CA-37

Here are some naval covers (envelopes) relating to the USS Tuscaloosa. Click on the thumbnail image to view the full image of the naval cover. The descriptions of the covers are presented in chronological order. You can view the history section of this site to put the events in a fuller historical context.

1934 COMMISSIONING AND SHAKEDOWN Here are two naval covers commemorating the Tuscaloosa's first day in Commission on 17 August 1934.
Following commissioning, Tuscaloosa spent the Autumn in her shakedown cruise to South America. Here is a cover from Brazil (23 November 1934).
After her shakedown cruise, Tuscaloosa spent Christmas in the New York Navy Yard (25 December, 1934). Here is a cover from that day.
1939 TRANSIT TO THE EAST COAST
In January 1939, Tuscaloosa departed San Diego in the company of other ships in the fleet. She took part in some fleet exercises before undergoing a brief refit at Norfolk Navy Yard. She did not participate in the entire cruise shown on this cover.

SOUTH AMERICAN GOODWILL CRUISE In the first half of 1939 after her refit, Tuscaloosa was part of a goodwill tour of South America accompanied by SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) and QUINCY (CA-39). Here is a cover showing the tour, as well as two covers from places visited during the cruise: Rio, Brazil (22 April 1939) and Valparaiso, Chile (22 May 1939).
FDR's FIRST CRUISE In August of 1939, Tuscaloosa boarded President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the first time, bound for New Brunswick. Near Portsmouth, N.H., the President viewed salvage operations for the USS Squalus (SS-192). Tuscaloosa visited Campobello Island as well as several ports in Newfoundland before disembarking the President at Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Click here for a page on FDR's cruises aboard Tuscaloosa.

1940-1941 TRANSPORT OF US AMBASSADOR TO VICHY FRANCE
Tuscaloosa embarked Admiral William D. Leahy and delivered him to Lisbon, Portugal. From there, Admiral Leahy traveled to France to commence his new position as Ambassador to Vichy France. As shown on this cover, Tuscaloosa was in port at Lisbon on New Year's Day, 1941.

SMOKING

In addition to writing letters, perhaps, just perhaps, some of the sailors might also have smoked. Here is some evidence.

Popular Science (Nov. 1934) Tuscaloosa Model

I came across a Popular Science from November 1934. Here is a description of a model of the Tuscaloosa from that issue. Also, just for fun, here is the famous "97-lb. weakling" Charles Atlas ad from the same issue.