Arnold J Isbell (DD 869) - Naval Cruise Book

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t HONG KONG, Pearl of the Orient, crossroads of the world. A port of mystery, intrigue, contrasts, and oriental splendor. A port of refuge for people of the Chinese mainland. A rest and rec- reation port to conclude a successful Far EastiMii cruise for ISBELL. Hong Kong is not the actual name of the city, but of the island on which the principal city of Victoria is located. Kowloon, across the bay from Hong Kong, is another part of the British Crown Colony where ISBELL sailors sought their bar- gains in clothes, jewelry, ivory, leather goods, watches, and higii fidelity sets. Sightseeing tours were arranged almost daily while we were in the Cro vn Colony, and most men took tlie opportunity to see the island. Out- standing attractions were Tiger Balm Gardens, Repulse Bay and Aberdeen village. . i ij

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SUBIC BAY, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS Subic Bay, located on Luzon Island near the city of Olongapo, provided ISBELL with two weeks of repairs and gave all hands a chance to recuperate from the stormy weather of Operation Mantle Rock. The scorch- ing January heat caught several sailors by surprise, but perhaps not as many as did the 0500 reveille. When the afternoon rolled around, though, there was time off to drop down to the club for a cool glass of milk or the beach for a refreshing swim. FORMOSA KAOHSIUNG. (TAIWAN) FORMOSA Kaohsiung is on the west coast of Formosa or Taiwan. It is a major port of this island stronghold for the Chinese Nationalists who were forced from their mainland home by the Communists. ISBELL ' s visits into this port were for preparations and replenishment during our turn at the Formosa Patrol off the Red China mainland. Kaohsiung provided brief periods of rest for personnel who were standing war- time watches around the clock and kept a con- stant vigil of all activity in the area. Not many souvenirs were bought on the is- land. There weren ' t many to sell. The Na- tionalists were at war and didn ' t have time lo enjoy the advantages that visiting American sailors bring.

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MIDWAY -PEARL AT LONG LAST! What manner of ship is this I see With all hands turned to on bended knee? All of her crew are working hard While other ships are resting in the yard. Men painting her guns and painting her sides; From every position a bos ' n chair rides. It looks like an ant hill covered with ants; The only difference is liell bottom pants. Trucks full of chow and some full of gear Are constantly stopping along the pier. They ' re filling her holds and taking great care; Could it be that she ' s going somewhere? Snipes are busy checking such things As diesel generator and main bearing rings. Everyone ' s moving at such a fast pace That it looks like some fanatical race. The yeomen are turned to typing out papers, While short timers are doing all kinds of capers. The storekeepers are trying to calculate pay; Gads, even the Doc is painting sick bay. The deck force has gone ape, painting around. From crack of dawn till the sun is drowned. No matter where you look, from No. 2 stack to keel, The waiting is over. THIS IS FOR REAL! What makes a ship act in these strange ways? It ' s easy to figure ; only a few more days. You ask where she ' s going, where she will roam? Nowhere, my friends, she ' s just going HOME! •f I