AVG-75 (later ACV-75, CVE-75, CVHE-75 and AKV-25) was named Hoggatt Bay for a bay on the eastern coast of Baranof Island, Alexander Archipelago, Alaska. The bay was named in 1895 by LCDR Edwin K. Moore, USN, for ENS Wilford B. Hoggatt, USN, a member of his party. Hoggatt was Governor of Alaska from 1906 to 1909.

(Image: Google Maps.)

Hoggatt Bay was sponsored by Mrs. Esther Irene Sundvik, wife of Victor Sundvik, a Vancouver Way 2 shipwright. Mrs. Sundvik was a cook at Burton Homes, and the first sponsor chosen from among yard employees.

(From "Bo's'n's Whistle," Vol. 3, No. 23; December 9, 1943; page 6.)

Eating chow at battle station aboard USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75). The photograph is dated 5 January 1944, but this is probably incorrect, as the ship was not yet commissioned at the time.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo #80-G-304443.

A 2,000 pound bomb on the flight deck of USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75). The photograph is dated 8 January 1944, but this is probably incorrect, as the ship was not yet commissioned at the time.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo #80-G-304440.

January 1944 port bow view of the newly commissioned USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75), moored in Astoria, Oregon.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum photo (# 1996.488.034.022). Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection.

Undated. Underway with aircraft on deck. Camouflaged in Measure 32, Design 12A (thanks to Aryeh Wetherhorn.)

A North American SNJ Texan taking off from USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75), circa 1944.

Photo courtesy Joan Hamilton Collection. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo # UA 571.23.

"Crossing the Line" ceremony, late May 1944.

"[T]he granddaddy of all seagoing ceremonies [is] the shellback initiation when a ship crosses the Equator, in which 'pollywogs' (sailors who have not previously crossed the Line) become 'shellbacks' (fit subjects of King Neptune)."

[...]

"We won't go into detail on what occurs when Neptune and his court are piped aboard and the pollywogs join the Order of the Shellbacks, because that's a mystery of the deep, after all. Suffice it to say, that when the day ends, the Shellback has arrived."

"To prove it, he has a certificate of impressive size, festooned with drawings of fish, mermaids and a trident-wielding Neptune, [...]"

(Text above quoted from "Crossing the Line, Plank Owner and Other Unofficial Certificates Acquired by Naval Personnel.")

Photos from the collection of Pearl Harbor Survivor Dale Magnus. Dale, an RM3/c at the time, was already a Shellback when he took the photos.

"Victory Celebration Aboard a Navy 'Baby' Flat-Top"

"Navy men aboard the carrier USS Hoggatt Bay performing a snake dance in celebration of our victory over Japan."

Detroit Times, 30 August 1945.

Boxing Match between men from USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75) and USS Sargent Bay (CVE-83), 3 November 1944, which was staged on the Hoggatt Bay hangar deck. Shown, left to right: STM2/C L. Johnson (winner), and S2/C D.E. Rodriquez.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, #80-G-263886.

Passengers on the flight deck of USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75) during heavy seas, 5 December 1945.

NS0307511: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-375565.

NS0307511a: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-375567.

40mm guns firing aboard USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75). Photograph received 3 June 1946.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-375577.

20mm guns firing aboard USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75). Photograph received 3 June 1946.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-375578.

20mm gun firing aboard USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75). Photograph received 3 June 1946.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-375580.

Two pages from Cruises of the U.S.S. Hoggatt Bay, January 11, 1944 to December 7, 1945.

Ship's band. Robert J. James, Mark's father, is on the far right.