Re: [ChurchillChat] RE: USS Randolph

[Ken Mendel]

Thanks for the additional information on WSC's visit to the USS Randolph.
I'll include it in the April issue of the newsletter for the USS Randolph
Reunion Association.  I am also sending this reply to former Ensign
Rammrath who resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL now.

On Sun, Jan 12, 2020 at 9:50 PM Gary Santos 
wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> In my continuing research of USS Randolph I found an article in the
> Fall/1989 'Naval History' magazine. I've attached it below.
>
> Gary Santos
>
> Churchill visits the Randolph
> Graves, William S
> .
> *Naval History*
> *;
> Annapolis* Vol. 3, Iss. 4,
> 
> (Fall 1989)
>
>
>
> The atmosphere on the bridge of the USS Randolph (CVA-15) was quiet and
> concentrated. The giant aircraft carrier was entering a foreign port and
> was minutes away from dropping her anchor. The captain's attention was
> fully occupied with bits of information coming at him from many different
> sources.
>
> To interrupt him now was simply not done. The messenger of the watch had
> some difficult moments, staring in disbelief at the phone in his hand. "Are
> you sure you want to interrupt him now, sir? We're about to drop the hook,"
> he asked the officer on the other end of the line.
>
> "It's important," came the answer.
>
> The young sailor swallowed hard. "Ensign Rammrath would like to speak to
> the captain." Captain Bernard "Smoke" Strean knew his public information
> officer to be assertive-which he liked-but his timing certainly needed some
> adjustment; this might be the time to do it.
>
> He took the phone. "Yes, Rammrath!" His eyes squinted shut behind his
> sunglasses as he listened.
>
> "Sir Winston Churchill and Brigitte Bardot both live here in Cannes. Do
> you mind if I ask them aboard for lunch?" The captain culled some answers
> that the young ensign would remember for awhile, but decided they would
> have to wait. "Hell yes, I mind.
>
> Don't do it." He let it go at that.
>
> It was October 1958, and it had been a hectic fall in the Mediterranean.
>
> The past two weeks at sea had been grueling. The captain had been on the
> bridge almost constantly. Flying 16 hours a day took its toll on everyone.
>
> The last three days, they had been operating around the clock. Like the
> crew, Captain Strean was looking forward to this eight-day visit to Cannes.
> His wife was ashore waiting for him.
>
> The giant ship shook as the engines backed and the heavy anchor chain
> roused out through the hawsepipe.
>
> "We're here; welcome to France, sir," said the navigator. "Let's make the
> most of it," replied the skipper.
>
> Entertaining foreign dignitaries, he thought, was not how he intended to
> spend his free time on the Riviera. But maybe he should. After all,
> Churchill was not a mere dignitary. Captain Strean turned to the officer of
> the deck.
>
> "Have Ensign Rammrath report to the bridge." He had changed his mind.
> Climbing up seven decks might also prepare the young NROTC graduate for a
> listen in navy manners, he thought.
>
> Later that day, Herbert Rammrath reported back that Brigitte Bardot was
> out of town. But Sir Winston would like Captain and Mrs. Strean to come out
> to Roquebrunethe home of Churchill's London publisher-for lunch the next
> day to discuss the ship visit.
>
> Time to cut in his boss, Strean thought. Vice Admiral Clarence "Swede"
> Ekstrom, Commander Sixth Fleet, was in his flagship in
>
> Villefranche, some 30 miles away.
>
> In a brief phone conversation, Strean asked the admiral and his wife to
> come to the Churchill lunch on board the Randolph. He understood Admiral
> Ekstrom to say that he was otherwise committed, but to go ahead without
> him.
>
> Roquebrune was a short 15-mile drive from Cannes. During lunch, Churchill
> expressed concern about climbing ladders on the carrier. He was still
> contending with the effects of a stroke he had suffered two years earlier.
> Sir Winston was relieved to know only one ladder would be involved. He was
> also very excited about his first ride in a helicopter.
>
> Some ground rules filtered out from the casual chatter. The visit would be
> confidential; the lunch would be intimate; and there would only be one
> conversation at a time at the lunch table.
>
> After lunch, the Streans said their good-byes and left. During the drive
> back to Cannes, Janet Strean was visibly upset. She had privately discussed
> the shipboard lunch menu with Churchill's hostess, who would be included in
> the party. "He must have a martini before lunch, a good white Alsatian wine
> with lunch, a good Napol

Re: [ChurchillChat] RE: USS Randolph

[Gary Santos]

Hi All,

In my continuing research of USS Randolph I found an article in the 
Fall/1989 'Naval History' magazine. I've attached it below.

Gary Santos

Churchill visits the Randolph
Graves, William S 
.
 
*Naval History* 
*;
 
Annapolis* Vol. 3, Iss. 4,  

 
(Fall 1989)



The atmosphere on the bridge of the USS Randolph (CVA-15) was quiet and 
concentrated. The giant aircraft carrier was entering a foreign port and 
was minutes away from dropping her anchor. The captain's attention was 
fully occupied with bits of information coming at him from many different 
sources. 

To interrupt him now was simply not done. The messenger of the watch had 
some difficult moments, staring in disbelief at the phone in his hand. "Are 
you sure you want to interrupt him now, sir? We're about to drop the hook," 
he asked the officer on the other end of the line. 

"It's important," came the answer. 

The young sailor swallowed hard. "Ensign Rammrath would like to speak to 
the captain." Captain Bernard "Smoke" Strean knew his public information 
officer to be assertive-which he liked-but his timing certainly needed some 
adjustment; this might be the time to do it. 

He took the phone. "Yes, Rammrath!" His eyes squinted shut behind his 
sunglasses as he listened. 

"Sir Winston Churchill and Brigitte Bardot both live here in Cannes. Do you 
mind if I ask them aboard for lunch?" The captain culled some answers that 
the young ensign would remember for awhile, but decided they would have to 
wait. "Hell yes, I mind. 

Don't do it." He let it go at that. 

It was October 1958, and it had been a hectic fall in the Mediterranean. 

The past two weeks at sea had been grueling. The captain had been on the 
bridge almost constantly. Flying 16 hours a day took its toll on everyone. 

The last three days, they had been operating around the clock. Like the 
crew, Captain Strean was looking forward to this eight-day visit to Cannes. 
His wife was ashore waiting for him. 

The giant ship shook as the engines backed and the heavy anchor chain 
roused out through the hawsepipe. 

"We're here; welcome to France, sir," said the navigator. "Let's make the 
most of it," replied the skipper. 

Entertaining foreign dignitaries, he thought, was not how he intended to 
spend his free time on the Riviera. But maybe he should. After all, 
Churchill was not a mere dignitary. Captain Strean turned to the officer of 
the deck. 

"Have Ensign Rammrath report to the bridge." He had changed his mind. 
Climbing up seven decks might also prepare the young NROTC graduate for a 
listen in navy manners, he thought. 

Later that day, Herbert Rammrath reported back that Brigitte Bardot was out 
of town. But Sir Winston would like Captain and Mrs. Strean to come out to 
Roquebrunethe home of Churchill's London publisher-for lunch the next day 
to discuss the ship visit. 

Time to cut in his boss, Strean thought. Vice Admiral Clarence "Swede" 
Ekstrom, Commander Sixth Fleet, was in his flagship in 

Villefranche, some 30 miles away. 

In a brief phone conversation, Strean asked the admiral and his wife to 
come to the Churchill lunch on board the Randolph. He understood Admiral 
Ekstrom to say that he was otherwise committed, but to go ahead without 
him. 

Roquebrune was a short 15-mile drive from Cannes. During lunch, Churchill 
expressed concern about climbing ladders on the carrier. He was still 
contending with the effects of a stroke he had suffered two years earlier. 
Sir Winston was relieved to know only one ladder would be involved. He was 
also very excited about his first ride in a helicopter. 

Some ground rules filtered out from the casual chatter. The visit would be 
confidential; the lunch would be intimate; and there would only be one 
conversation at a time at the lunch table. 

After lunch, the Streans said their good-byes and left. During the drive 
back to Cannes, Janet Strean was visibly upset. She had privately discussed 
the shipboard lunch menu with Churchill's hostess, who would be included in 
the party. "He must have a martini before lunch, a good white Alsatian wine 
with lunch, a good Napoleon brandy at the end of lunch, and an 
old-fashioned cocktail after leaving the table," Mrs. Strean said. "I had 
to tell her liquor was not served on board U. S. Navy ships. With that, she 
had some sort of tantrum, saying we should cancel the whole thing as it 
would be a fiasco." 

"We're too far into it now," Strean replied, thinking how his first 
decisions were always the best. At least Admiral Ekstrom won't be

Re: [ChurchillChat] Re: USS Randolph

[Ken Mendel]

Thanks for your note.  I was the Captain's driver on the USS Randolph.  I
had the pleasure of driving Capt. & Mrs. Strean to La Pausa for lunch with
Mr. Churchill.  Later, I assisted Mr. Churchill into our helicopter at the
Nice Airport.

On Thu, Nov 22, 2018 at 3:20 AM Director, Churchill Archives Centre <
director.archi...@chu.cam.ac.uk> wrote:

> Dear Gary,
>
>
>
> Great to see these images. Thanks for sharing.
>
>
>
> Allen
>
>
>
> *Director*
> *Churchill Archives Centre*
> *Churchill College*
> *Registered Charity: 1137476*
> *(0)1223 336175*
>
>
> *Churchill College takes its responsibilities to protect your data
> seriously. The College’s data protection privacy statements are available
> online at
> https://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/about/official-documents/data-protection-statements/
> <https://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/about/official-documents/data-protection-statements/>*
>
> *This email (together with any files transmitted with it) is intended only
> for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain
> information which is confidential and/or legally privileged. If you have
> received this email in error, please notify the sender by return email (or
> telephone) and delete the original message.*
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* churchillchat@googlegroups.com [mailto:
> churchillchat@googlegroups.com] *On Behalf Of *Gary Santos
> *Sent:* 21 November 2018 20:28
> *To:* ChurchillChat
> *Subject:* [ChurchillChat] Re: USS Randolph
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 9:46:05 AM UTC-4, Director, Churchill
> Archives Centre wrote:
>
> Dear Mr Mendel and Mr Santos,
>
>
>
> My excellent colleague Heidi Egginton has found the following in the
> papers here at the Churchill Archives Centre. Do contact her if you wish to
> purchase a copy:
>
> *Dear Allen, *
>
>
>
> *Yes! There is a great typescript (dictated but signed) letter from WSC to
> CSC from La Pausa dated 22 October 1958 (CSCT 2/46/9-11), in which he
> mentions the ‘possibility of going to lunch next Sunday’ on the USS
> Randolph. It does appear to have been the first time Churchill travelled in
> a helicopter. *
>
>
>
> *“We are examining the possibility of going to lunch next Sunday upon the
> Randolph, an American aircraft carrier. They have the idea that they can
> pick us up in one of their special helicopters and drop us on the ship
> itself. We have invited the Captain and his wife to lunch on Friday to look
> into the possibilities. I have never been in a helicopter, and would like
> to make a voyage which would certainly save a great deal of toil.”*
>
>
>
> *I also checked the Emery Reves book, but unfortunately there is a gap in
> their correspondence between August and 20 November 1958. I also had a very
> quick look through the France Visits correspondence files in CHUR 1, but
> couldn’t see anything immediately obvious relating to the aircraft carrier
> lunch plans. Presumably there will also be correspondence in those files
> generally about Churchill’s October 1958 trip to Nice and La Pausa. *
>
>
>
> *Best wishes,*
>
> *Heidi*
>
>
>
> *Heidi Egginton*
>
> *Archives Assistant*
>
> *Churchill Archives Centre*
>
> *Churchill College*
>
> *Cambridge CB3 0DS*
>
> *01223 336087*
>
> *archi...@chu.cam.ac.uk*
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *Director*
> *Churchill Archives Centre*
> *Churchill College*
> *Registered Charity: 1137476*
> *(0)1223 336175*
>
>
> *Churchill College takes its responsibilities to protect your data
> seriously. The College’s data protection privacy statements are available
> online at *
> *https://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/about/official-documents/data-protection-statements/*
> <https://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/about/official-documents/data-protection-statements/>
>
> *This email (together with any files transmitted with it) is intended only
> for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain
> information which is confidential and/or legally privileged. If you have
> received this email in error, please notify the sender by return email (or
> telephone) and delete the original message.*
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hello, I appreciate  all the info on the subject of Churchill visiting
> Randolph. I was at the National Archives earlier in the month researching
> Randolph. I came across these 2 photos of the Prime Minister on the ship.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Gary Santos
>
> ussrandolpcv15.com
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "ChurchillChat" group.
> To unsubscribe fr

RE: [ChurchillChat] Re: USS Randolph

[Director, Churchill Archives Centre]

Dear Gary,

Great to see these images. Thanks for sharing.

Allen

Director
Churchill Archives Centre
Churchill College
Registered Charity: 1137476
(0)1223 336175

Churchill College takes its responsibilities to protect your data seriously. 
The College’s data protection privacy statements are available online at 
https://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/about/official-documents/data-protection-statements/
This email (together with any files transmitted with it) is intended only for 
the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain 
information which is confidential and/or legally privileged. If you have 
received this email in error, please notify the sender by return email (or 
telephone) and delete the original message.



From: churchillchat@googlegroups.com [mailto:churchillchat@googlegroups.com] On 
Behalf Of Gary Santos
Sent: 21 November 2018 20:28
To: ChurchillChat
Subject: [ChurchillChat] Re: USS Randolph



On Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 9:46:05 AM UTC-4, Director, Churchill 
Archives Centre wrote:
Dear Mr Mendel and Mr Santos,

My excellent colleague Heidi Egginton has found the following in the papers 
here at the Churchill Archives Centre. Do contact her if you wish to purchase a 
copy:
Dear Allen,

Yes! There is a great typescript (dictated but signed) letter from WSC to CSC 
from La Pausa dated 22 October 1958 (CSCT 2/46/9-11), in which he mentions the 
‘possibility of going to lunch next Sunday’ on the USS Randolph. It does appear 
to have been the first time Churchill travelled in a helicopter.

“We are examining the possibility of going to lunch next Sunday upon the 
Randolph, an American aircraft carrier. They have the idea that they can pick 
us up in one of their special helicopters and drop us on the ship itself. We 
have invited the Captain and his wife to lunch on Friday to look into the 
possibilities. I have never been in a helicopter, and would like to make a 
voyage which would certainly save a great deal of toil.”

I also checked the Emery Reves book, but unfortunately there is a gap in their 
correspondence between August and 20 November 1958. I also had a very quick 
look through the France Visits correspondence files in CHUR 1, but couldn’t see 
anything immediately obvious relating to the aircraft carrier lunch plans. 
Presumably there will also be correspondence in those files generally about 
Churchill’s October 1958 trip to Nice and La Pausa.

Best wishes,
Heidi

Heidi Egginton
Archives Assistant
Churchill Archives Centre
Churchill College
Cambridge CB3 0DS
01223 336087
archi...@chu.cam.ac.uk



Director
Churchill Archives Centre
Churchill College
Registered Charity: 1137476
(0)1223 336175

Churchill College takes its responsibilities to protect your data seriously. 
The College’s data protection privacy statements are available online at 
https://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/about/official-documents/data-protection-statements/
This email (together with any files transmitted with it) is intended only for 
the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain 
information which is confidential and/or legally privileged. If you have 
received this email in error, please notify the sender by return email (or 
telephone) and delete the original message.



Hello, I appreciate  all the info on the subject of Churchill visiting 
Randolph. I was at the National Archives earlier in the month researching 
Randolph. I came across these 2 photos of the Prime Minister on the ship.
Sincerely,
Gary Santos
ussrandolpcv15.com


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Re: [ChurchillChat] RE: USS Randolph

['David Freeman' via ChurchillChat]

This is a photograph of Churchill's reception on the USS Randolph
On Tuesday, September 18, 2018, 6:46:08 AM PDT, Director, Churchill 
Archives Centre  wrote:  
 
  Dear Mr 
Mendel and Mr Santos, My excellent colleague Heidi Egginton has found the 
following in the papers here at the Churchill Archives Centre. Do contact her 
if you wish to purchase a copy:Dear Allen,  Yes! There is a great typescript 
(dictated but signed) letter from WSC to CSC from La Pausa dated 22 October 
1958 (CSCT 2/46/9-11), in which he mentions the ‘possibility of going to lunch 
next Sunday’ on the USS Randolph. It does appear to have beenthe first time 
Churchill travelled in a helicopter.  “We are examining the possibility of 
going to lunch next Sunday upon the Randolph, an American aircraft carrier. 
They have the idea that they can pick us up in one of their special helicopters 
and drop us on the ship itself. We have invitedthe Captain and his wife to 
lunch on Friday to look into the possibilities. I have never been in a 
helicopter, and would like to make a voyage which would certainly save a great 
deal of toil.” I also checked the Emery Reves book, but unfortunately there is 
a gap in their correspondence between August and 20 November 1958. I also had a 
very quick look through the France Visits correspondence files in CHUR 1, but 
couldn’t see anything immediatelyobvious relating to the aircraft carrier lunch 
plans. Presumably there will also be correspondence in those files generally 
about Churchill’s October 1958 trip to Nice and La Pausa.  Best wishes,Heidi 
Heidi EggintonArchives AssistantChurchill Archives CentreChurchill 
CollegeCambridge CB3 0DS01223 336087archi...@chu.cam.ac.uk   Director
Churchill Archives Centre
Churchill College
Registered Charity: 1137476
(0)1223 336175 
Churchill College takes its responsibilities to protect your data seriously. 
The College’s data protection privacy statements are available online at 
https://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/about/official-documents/data-protection-statements/This
 email (together with any files transmitted with it) is intended only for the 
use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed.It may contain information 
which is confidential and/or legally privileged. If you have received this 
email in error, please notify the sender by return email (or telephone) and 
delete the original message. 

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[ChurchillChat] RE: USS Randolph

[Director, Churchill Archives Centre]

Dear Mr Mendel and Mr Santos,

My excellent colleague Heidi Egginton has found the following in the papers 
here at the Churchill Archives Centre. Do contact her if you wish to purchase a 
copy:
Dear Allen,

Yes! There is a great typescript (dictated but signed) letter from WSC to CSC 
from La Pausa dated 22 October 1958 (CSCT 2/46/9-11), in which he mentions the 
'possibility of going to lunch next Sunday' on the USS Randolph. It does appear 
to have been the first time Churchill travelled in a helicopter.

"We are examining the possibility of going to lunch next Sunday upon the 
Randolph, an American aircraft carrier. They have the idea that they can pick 
us up in one of their special helicopters and drop us on the ship itself. We 
have invited the Captain and his wife to lunch on Friday to look into the 
possibilities. I have never been in a helicopter, and would like to make a 
voyage which would certainly save a great deal of toil."

I also checked the Emery Reves book, but unfortunately there is a gap in their 
correspondence between August and 20 November 1958. I also had a very quick 
look through the France Visits correspondence files in CHUR 1, but couldn't see 
anything immediately obvious relating to the aircraft carrier lunch plans. 
Presumably there will also be correspondence in those files generally about 
Churchill's October 1958 trip to Nice and La Pausa.

Best wishes,
Heidi

Heidi Egginton
Archives Assistant
Churchill Archives Centre
Churchill College
Cambridge CB3 0DS
01223 336087
archi...@chu.cam.ac.uk




Director
Churchill Archives Centre
Churchill College
Registered Charity: 1137476
(0)1223 336175

Churchill College takes its responsibilities to protect your data seriously. 
The College's data protection privacy statements are available online at 
https://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/about/official-documents/data-protection-statements/
This email (together with any files transmitted with it) is intended only for 
the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain 
information which is confidential and/or legally privileged. If you have 
received this email in error, please notify the sender by return email (or 
telephone) and delete the original message.





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