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In 1945, following completion of her refit at Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard, the like-new La Vallette was ordered through the delta and up the channel to Stockton, California—the first warship ever to navigate these waters. Declining a pilot, she was navigated by plankowner C.F. Allen.
   In these images from the local Stockton newspaper, La Vallette approaches Stockton on Navy Day, 27 October, with her name in large letters for easy identification and then alongside the pier, open to the public. — Jack Bell