Anne Arundel (AP 76) - Naval Cruise Book

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Aga This was Annie's third trip out of Frisco. It was-scheduled to be a short one, transporting 2,000rsailors to the Philippines: then a quick trip to Manus Island below the Equator and back to Frisco! Our first interruption came at Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands. Since no facilities to house 2,000 sailors were available we remained, by request, thirty days 'until relieved by another vessel. Then our hopes rose. lt was the first week in August when loaded with 1,500 soldiers and sailors-and 5 Navy nurses-bound for the States we pointed our bow toward Manus to unload a cargo of supplies and precious mail. lt was a beautiful trip spiced with the hilarious ceremony of King Neptune-dousing, electrifying, oiling, immersing and whacking the poor Pollywogs, among whom most of us were one. We arrived at Manus the second week of August and the air was filled with the ex- citing news of surrender negotiations. We hoped it would be true but kept the cautious reserve of military folk. But then it broke full' upon our tired souls! The war in the Pacific was at an end! The next day saw us walk humbly and grate- fully into the large white chapel of the Admiralties and join our prayers with more than a thousand men-Catholics and Protestants and Jews, black and white, American and British. It was good to be at peace once more with God and man! ' We returned to our ship different men than the day before. Every outlook was somehow altered. Now we could release our cramped spirits from the hidden fear of death and disease, and air once again the anticipation of home, loved ones and civilian plans and pleasures. One could feel the change. Everyone was talking rapidly: stepping ,a little more brightly, waiting a little more eagerly to turn the ship toward Frisco! Toward home! , , Two days later we cast off our lines to sail. We were clear of the pier and everyone was on the weatherdecks, eyes forward-straining as if to see the welcome sights beyond the horizon. Then the storm broke! It jarred the entire ship hitting the Captain first and then flew with the speed of an atomic charge from amidships to bow to stern-from the bridge to the deepest engineroom spaces. 0 Redock at once! ' I Just three little words. But it was to mean a tremendous change in the plans and attitudes of all aboard. Rumors flew with the speed of light as the great ship turned almost lugubrously in a large slow circle back to the pier and came to rest again. Then the second blow! til

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AT ORAN ZERO WEATHER IN THE, ATLANTIC NORFOLK

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my' Before these orders came we had two opportunities to visit Yoko- homa. Desolation beyond the harbor was complete. The somber civilians were busy putting together scraps of lumber and covered these crude frames with sheets of rusted corregated metal while the women scratched the little patches of ground about the house to grow a few vegetables and flowers. Those not engaged in building and searching for food-sat along the sidewalks and offered-for sale or barter- articles rescued from their destroyed homes-fans, lacquer ware, pieces of silk, dolls, etc., in exchange for needed yen or desired cigarettes or candy. It was an amusing sight to see the sailors return to the liberty landing loaded with souvenirs. One lad bought a large framed picture claimed by its Japanese owner to be Mount Fugijama. Upon reaching the ship it was discovered to be Mt. Rainier, Washington-painted by an American! ' The next day we were confined to the ship while a forty-knot wind roared in from the sea. Although the fierce wind delayed our departure 24 hours it also drove away the heavy clouds lying about Mt. Fugijama-60 miles behind Yokohoma. There in the brilliant glow of the morning sun, it stood, ai revealed thing of majestic beauty, to the thrilled departing shipmates. . On to Guam cackled the radio. Again speculation ran rife about the ship. Desire changed to rumour that now we would pick up pas- sengers for the States. Again it was dashed by terse orders-load 6th Marines for entry into Tsingtao, China. Irritation and anticipation walked among the men. Irritation at another delay homewardg an- ticipation to see and souvenir China. It was a beautiful day on the llth of Octoberas we approached Tsingtao, and were greeted by the sight of a sprawling city which looked more Occidental than Chinese. In the center of imposing build- ings built on the many hills of this port city'the two slender spires of the Roman Catholic Church served as a pleasant greeting and excellent navigational points. Q Our stay was brief but we thrilled to our cruiser-like approach to the pier and the ricksha rides up the slopes of the welcoming Chinese city. Everyone looked upon the Americans as walking philanthropists casting money indiscrimantly toward every article that could edge into the crowded category of souvenirs. From small children to old men and women all advanced with outstretched souvenirs, a quick disarming smile and an inquisitive one dollar? The men hastily hunted exper- iences, sights and souvenirs and returned to theship to sail once more to Manila. Instantly' scuttlebutt and desire for destination Frisco walked arm in arm about the anxious ship. But a new experience awaited us on the next trip. ' While operating in the Mediterranean Sea the Arundel carried Allies of many different nations to and from the scene of combat. Now it was to happen again. Clothed in the secrecy made expedient by rap- idly developing International Crises we proceeded toward northern Indo- China to the city of Hai Phong. lHere we brought aboard the 52nd Chinese Army--a land army which had never been to sea. The be- wildered Chinese soldiers lost their first battle with the rolling waves and sea sickness was general. They became sick as soon as the small boats proceeded from the beach toward the ship about five miles out in the bay. Although weak with sickness, nevertheless they picked up their light powder-blue packs and their precious. rifles and mounted the swaying embarkation nets. About thirty percent of the Chinese were sick yet only one man refused to accept the frightening challenge of the nets. They were plucky and well disciplined if a bit ragged in dress and equipment. 'For ten days these Chinese friends occupied one half of the ship topside eating out ofl large GI cans filled with cooked rice and hot tea. In addition each man was given one can of C ration. They ate this unchanging diet with surprising eagerness-except when the sea was rough. Unfortunately most, of the trip was too rough for these novice 4iM3I1H6S.,, . November llth saw us entering the harbor of Chinwangtao. A port of Northern China just south of the ancient wall of China which thrust its way along the rugged mountain side on its slow curved path to the sea. No longer adequate for defense, it stood weakly against the enemy gathering on the Manchurian side. On board the Arundel our troops took on new life and color. The quick change in climate from tropical Hai Phong to frigid Chin- wangtao, brought out the padded powder-blue coats, pants and leggings while new light tan shoes replaced the paper-thin sandals. The next morning amid a steady cold rain the 52nd Chinese Army was loaded into small open box cars to be taken into town and renewed. civil strife. We departed immediately some miles south to Taku and there waited two weeks for those long hoped for orders home. Many of the men had another opportunity to visit- a large un- scathed city of China-either busy, commercial Tientsin or the more leisure and picturesque Peiping. The stories and souvenirs of these trips will live a long time. M At long last orders came directing us to Nagoya to load 6th Army personnel and then sail direct to Seattle. In three swift days Annie carried her excited crew to Nagoya. Here we quickly loaded the waiting personnel-in what the officers in charge called-the fastest operation these men ever performed. From warehouses close by came also Jap rifles and officers swords which were given to each man aboard as souvenirs. A bit cramped but happy at the immediate prospects of seeing the States once again everyone checked the daily progress of beaten and battered Annie, Aided by wind and current the trip was completed in thirteen days. Seattle was too crowded so we turned south and came to rest at Tacoma. In' the brilliant light of a sunshiny day we caught sight of glorious Mt. Rainier glistening in her shimmering white coat of sn-ow. The sight called to memory the imposing grandeur of Mt. Fugijama and we breathed a sigh of thankfulness at being home at last. 65