The Greek ferry, 'Heraklion', en-route from Crete to Athen's Port, Piraeus, is sunk in the Aegean Sea during a fierce storm in which a truck reportedly broke loose and battered open her midship loading door, causing her to sink within 15 minutes. Search and rescue operations carried out from air and in water, the day after her sinking. . Rescue boats underway at the scene. Man wearing radio headset, looks from the window of a scout plane and throws out a flare to mark the location. Scattered debris on water. Sailors carry causalities on stretcher. Causalities put into ambulance. 235 passengers are reported dead or missing and only 49 managed to survive the tragedy. (Note : The USS Belknap (DLG-26) and the USS Columbus (CG-12) participated in the search for survivors but found none. The Belknap retrieved some remains that were transferred to Greek authorities, the next day.) (Additional note: Some music at start of this newsreel, but no other sound or narrative.)
Several blindfolded American fliers are seen being taken from an airplane. They are crew of the 16th B-25 comprising the famous "Doolittle"s Raiders." (Their aircraft was serial number: 40-2268, nicknamed: "Bat Out of Hell." Low on fuel, they were captured after bailing out near Japanese occupied Nangchang City, China, on April 18, 1942.) Captured American pilot, Lieutenant William .G. Farrow, is seen smoking a cigarette, while being escorted by Japanese soldiers, out of a building. With him are members of his crew: co-pilot, Lieutenant Robert L. Hite; Navigator, Lieutenant George Barr; Bombardier, Staff Sergeant, Jacob DeShazer; and Engineer Gunner, Sergeant Harold A. Spatz They pose for a group photograph on the steps, with the officer crew members on the top step and the two enlisted crew members a step below. (Lieutenant Farrow and Sergeant Spatz were executed by the Japanese on Oct. 15, 1942, at Kiangwan Cemetery, Shanghai, China.)
Launching of submarine SS Seawolf (SS-197) at Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine on 15 August, 1939. Clip opens with the submarine in water post launch. Next scenes show the prior events: People look on as workers pound braces away so submarine can slide down skids. Sponsor Mrs. Syria Florence Kalbfus, wife of Admiral Edward C. Kalbfus, walks up a flight of stairs beside the submarine ship with a U.S. Navy Officer. She greets another woman. The navy officer near them. The woman talks to another woman. A man standing on a ladder works on a side of the ship. Navy officers and a woman. Mrs. Syria Florence Kalbfus pulls a rope and smashes a bottle against the hull, and the submarine is launched. The submarine sliding into water. People gathered for the World War 2 era launching ceremony.
Launching of US Navy submarine USS Searaven (SS-196) at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine. Mrs. Julianna B. Cole, wife of Cyrus W. Cole, holding a bouquet of flowers prepares to Christen the boat. She is handed a champagne bottle. People cheer. Spectators in a space marked 'Observation Space'. ( In preparation for launch of another submarine, a sign at adjacent ways in shipyard reads "U.S.S. SEAWOLF submarine (SS-197) keel laid 27 Sept. 1938. Launching 15 Aug. 1939".) The submarine SS-196 proceeds down the ways into the water, with many persons on her deck. Tug boats move to her sides.
Nuclear bomb testing footage. Continuous colour film of atomic bomb shot Baker from Operation Crossroads on July 25, 1946, as well as film of the Ivy King shot from Operation Ivy on November 15, 1952. Both nuclear tests were conducted by the United States.
'Khrushchev's American journey' about Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's visit to Washington D.C., United States. An aircraft lands at an airport in Washington D.C., United States and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev arrives on September 15, 1959. U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower welcomes him. Khrushchev being greeted by officials and girls present him with flowers. An honor guard lined up to welcome the Soviet Premier. 21 guns being fired to honor him. President Eisenhower delivers a welcome note as he expresses his gladness on Premier Khrushchev's visit to America. He also mentions about the talks between the two leaders about unresolved international questions. Premier Khrushchev in his address thanks President Eisenhower for giving him a warm welcome. Mr. And Mrs. Khrushchev along with the President leave in a car. Motorcade moves past a large crowd in the streets. They get off the car outside the President's guest house where Premier Khrushchev will stay. Khrushchev arrives at the White House where he presents a memento to President Eisenhower as Vice President Richard Nixon and others look on. President Eisenhower and the Soviet Premier board a helicopter and go for an aerial tour of the Washington D.C. Aerial views of the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, U.S. Capitol, Key Bridge over Potomac River, local highways, suburban residential area and suburban shopping center as seen from the air.