Antietam (CV 36) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 87 text:

After several Weeks of accelerated flight operations, re- turn to Japan was always a big affair, eagerly antigi. pated by everyone aboard. In Japan, Antietamis port Was the Naval Base at Yokosuka, Japan-about 30 miles south of Tokyo by tram. Docking facilities at Yokosuka for large ships is limited, so the big question was always Whether 01- not the Antietam would be lucky enough to dock at Piedmont pier-or if she would have to tie up uout in the streamw fPage 37D . The latter meant liberty boats would have to be used, requiring extra time to get ashore. L SECOND LARGEST in world, hammerhead crane at Pied- mont Pier in Yokosuka was familiar sight, welcome to crew as ship neared dock. , 4 . ir,-L, HELEVATOR HERE painted on dock indicates to ship's Skipper where deck-edge elevator goes alongside pier. Dock workers await first lines. GIESHA GIRLS in full Oriental dress set mood for liberty in Japan, per- form ceremonial dances as welcome to ship, back from tour in forward area. CRANE'S HEIGHT dwarfs ship at Piedmont Pier. CRANE LOWERS gangway into position 21S 30011 as possible after ship is tied to dock.

Page 86 text:

OPERATION PINVVHEELH was used to guide Antietam into port. Air- craft Were placed on four corners of ship, prop blast effectively turned ship without use of tug boats. mnuxuuu.-fm-........---.-.. .. . ..,,. .,...,,..,..v-.rv-x-vpn, -' BACK T0 JAPAN Antietam's rest and recuperatinn leave SMART APPEARANCE was made by Antietam as she pulled into port with crew in dress uniforms at flight deck parade. BAND PLAYED marches as ship moved into port, EXECUTIVE OFFICER, 5 Quartermasters watch ff01T1 Bridge Wing.

Page 88 text:

EACH DEPARTMENT had chance to air bedding on flight deck while in port. I , . H X ya s' , ' X .L FLIGHT DECK CREW scrubbed and painted flight deck during work- ing hours. Most men had afternoons off in port. YOKOSUKA. was foggy much of the time, but men still hurried with Work so that they could go on liberty. Aircraft crews used time in oft to make repairs on planes, have them ready for next Korean strike P 84 IN PORT Ship is cleaned, repairs made during rest leave While many men were at Rest Hotels through. out Japan, others remained aboard to handle maintenance. Liberty was granted in late after- noon f all day on Saturday and Sundayj fm' more than half of crew. There was always a great deal of mainte- nance to he done, hut emphasis was placed on rest and recreation insofar as possible. BEFORE NEW PAINT could be applied, old paint had to be chipped away. Gunnery Department handled much of the painting. TRACTORS and other mobile equipment were Palflted and maintained during stay in port. During Opemtlqnsg equipment had to be in good shape, there was little Um for repair work. A