Home Sweet Home. Shipboard Printed Newspaper Marking The Return Of The Uss Gen. R. E. Callan To Seattle

USS GEN R. E. CALLAN

Publication: Privately printed, 1946, Aboard the USS Callan

First edition. Folio. Original 13" x 8" stapled leaves [shipboard newspaper], illustrated, double column, n. p. [12 pp.]. A very interesting World War Two shipboard newspaper, marking the return of the USS Gen. R.E. Callan to the United States following service in the Pacific, and filled with news and information needed by sailors making their transition to post-war life back home. The full-page illustration on the front page shows a drawing of sailors lining the ship and peering at the approaching Seattle skyline. The first article is entitled "What Will the Atom Do?" and offers little information on the new and mysterious weapon, admitting that "we can't duck it just because we don't understand it. We can't consult history for advice as to what to do. There isn't any history except the ruins of Hiroshima and Nagasaki." It stresses the importance of the United States keeping its atomic research a secret, and also touts the great potential of atomic power for energy purposes. Another significant article - the longest in the issue - discusses all aspects of the G.I. Bill of Rights, perhaps the topic of utmost importance to returning servicemen. It emphasizes the education, loan, and employment benefits of the bill. Another article gives a description of Seattle and there is a long description of the Callan's previous months of service in the form of a letter from Technician Fifth Grade Elmer W. Jones to his grandson. The USS Gen. R.E. Callan was built at the Kaiser yards in Richmond, California and launched in late April, 1944, serving in the Pacific and European theaters as a troop transport ship. A center horizontal fold, light edge wear and light tanning, separation starting along center fold of last leaf, else a very good copy.

Inventory Number: 44282