I have heard this question come up from time to time over the last 30 years but have never looked into the real issues involved. As a group assignment in my communications studies class we have to give a group speech on a topic. My group chose to discuss the topic of splitting California into at least two states, maybe three or four.
As I searched the Internet for a few resources, I am surprised by the history that I have discovered. The last state to split into 2 was Virginia/West Virginia over Virginia’s secession during the civil war. That was in 1862. As early as 1849, the year California was admitted to the Union, it was proposed to split California into two. Since that time there have been 25 other proposals. These ranged anywhere from splitting the state at the coastal ranges into Eastern and Western California, creating numerous small states not unlike the Greek city-states and the ever popular split of California into Northern and Southern California. The proposals have isolated the L.A. basin into its own state, split the state just below Sacramento or created 3 or four unique states. Advantages ranged from federal politics and representation of 1/8 of US population by 1/50th of the senators to the current concept of governing such a large economic power as one state rather than an independent nation. The later has the advantage of creating smaller more governable states without loss of California’s economy to the U.S. at large.
I tend to fall on the side of reason and discretion on this issue. There are valid points, however, they are talking points and not persuasive, at least to this add duck.
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70 Men Lost
July 30, 1942
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- Gato Class Submarine
- Keel laid: March 1, 1941 at Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT
- Launched: December 22, 1941
- Commissioned: April 11, 1942
- Displacement: 1,526 tons surfaced; 2,424 tons submerged
- Length: 311′ 9″
- Beam: 27′ 3″
- Operating depth: 300′
- Complement: 6 officers, 54 enlisted
- Armament: ten 21″ torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3″/50 deck gun, two .50 cal. machine guns, two .30 cal. machine guns
After shakedown out of New London, Grunion sailed for the Pacific 24 May. A week later, as she transited the Caribbean for Panama, she rescued 16 survivors of USAT Jack, torpedoed by a German U-boat, and conducted a fruitless search for 13 other survivors presumed in the vicinity. Arriving at Coco Solo 3 June, Grunion deposited her ship load of survivors and continued to Pearl Harbor, arriving 20 June.
Departing Hawaii on June 30 after 10 days of intensive training, Grunion touched Midway, then headed toward the Aleutians for her first war patrol. Her first report,
made as she patrolled north of Kiska Island, stated she had been attacked by a Japanese destroyer and had fired at him with inconclusive results. She operated off Kiska throughout July and sank two enemy patrol boats while in search of enemy shipping. On July 30, the submarine reported intensive antisubmarine activity and she was ordered back to Dutch Harbor.
Grunion’ was never heard from nor seen again. Air searches off Kiska were fruitless; and on 5 October Grunion was reluctantly reported overdue from patrol and assumed lost with all hands. Captured Japanese records show no antisubmarine attacks in the Kiska area, and the fate of Grunion remains a mystery. Her name was struck from the Navy List 2 November 1942.
Grunion received one battle star for World War II service.
Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
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