 |
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In sharp contrast to the pleasures liberty in Singapore was humid Subic
Bay, our next port of call, where we stopped for an upkeep period. Sandwiched between
priority work requests and our annual Administrative Inspection were excursions to
Driftwood Beach, the fair city of Olongapo, and last but not least, the Club Bullpen. |
|
Before the sun and heat could fully take its toll, we were underway again, this time for
Hong Kong, BCC. As we steamed into Hong Kong harbor that fine morning, we were met by the
expected swarm of bum-boats, and in accordance with a custom of long standing, proceeded
to turn the fire hoses on those who ventured too close. We were soon informed by the
station ship however that squirting the natives was no longer listed among the local
outdoor sports, and that hereafter the police boats would take care of them. Since early
in the cruise, the old-timers had been telling the "boots" about the wonderful
bargains available, so when liberty went down, two sections swarmed ashore, to be
descended upon by the local tailors, cabinet makers, cobblers, and other assorted
tradesmen. Everyone left the ship with a roll of greenbacks and returned with a suitcase
of clothes, or carrying a hand, carved bar on his back. By the time we departed Hong Kong
and headed for Sasebo, it was still a long time before payday, and the ghost of last
payday was in the compartment designated as the "souvenir locker." The HOPEWELL
was only in Sasebo a few days before we were ordered to Nagasaki for the Nagasaki Sea Fair
and Festival. Nagasaki was a new port to most of us, so the tours of the city were well
attended. After a few days of being moored alongside the pier, we had a pretty good idea
of how a goldfish in a store window must feel. While our liberty sections were out seeing
the town, the local populace, or a goodly part thereof, came down to the pier to watch our
movies on the fantail, so it must be said that a good time was had by all. A few days
later we were back in getting ready for our last big jump back to San Diego.
Many of us felt that it had been a pretty long cruise, and intrinsic joys of Yokosuka
notwithstanding, all hands were thinking ahead and tasting vicariously the pleasure of
"Stateside" liberty and leave. |
 |
In sharp contrast to the pleasures liberty in Singapore was humid Subic
Bay, our next port of call, where we stopped for an upkeep period. Sandwiched between
priority work requests and our annual Administrative Inspection were excursions to
Driftwood Beach, the fair city of Olongapo, and last but not least, the Club Bullpen.
Before the sun and heat could fully take its toll, we were underway again, this time for
Hong Kong, BCC. As we steamed into Hong Kong harbor that fine morning, we were met by the
expected swarm of bum-boats, and in accordance with a custom of long standing, proceeded
to turn the fire hoses on those who ventured too close. We were soon informed by the
station ship however that squirting the natives was no longer listed among the local
outdoor sports, and that hereafter the police boats would take care of them. Since early
in the cruise, the old-timers had been telling the "boots" about the wonderful
bargains available, so when liberty went down, two sections swarmed ashore, to be
descended upon by the local tailors, cabinet makers, cobblers, and other assorted
tradesmen. Everyone left the ship with a roll of greenbacks and returned with a suitcase
of clothes, or carrying a hand, carved bar on his back. By the time we departed Hong Kong
and headed for Sasebo, it was still a long time before payday, and the ghost of last
payday was in the compartment designated as the "souvenir locker." The HOPEWELL
was only in Sasebo a few days before we were ordered to Nagasaki for the Nagasaki Sea Fair
and Festival. |
|
|
|
|
|
Nagasaki was a new port to most of us, so the tours of the city were well
attended. After a few days of being moored alongside the pier, we had a pretty good idea
of how a goldfish in a store window must feel. |
|
While our liberty sections were out seeing
the town, the local populace, or a goodly part thereof, came down to the pier to watch our
movies on the fantail, so it must be said that a good time was had by all. A few days
later we were back in getting ready for our last big jump back to San Diego. |
|
Many of us felt that it had been a pretty long cruise, and intrinsic joys of Yokosuka
notwithstanding, all hands were thinking ahead and tasting vicariously the pleasure of
"Stateside" liberty and leave. |