Bainbridge (DLGN 25) - Naval Cruise Book

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INITIATION On 6 August 1964 BAINBRIDGE crossed the Equator at the Greenwich Meridian and after proper initiation the entire crew became Golden Shellbacks. Because of the large number of Polywogs on board it appeared that a revolt was imminent; however, these fears were unfounded as the small group of well organized Shellbacks proved equal to their task. Captain Castle gave command to King Neptune and the long series of trials began. By the time the morning was out the entire crew had been initiated, and with the fes- tivities over, we continued on our long journey. - w i». fi ( •% « , » u§ i IIICTI -C nn ucor ' v n c uui DHTUI

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At 1200 on Friday, 31 July, we formed Nuclear Task Force ONE and steamed out into the Atlantic in company with USS EN- TERPRISE and USS LONG BEACH. Our track took us south in the Atlantic, around the Cope of Good Hope, up into the Indian Ocean, across the vast expanse of the South Pacific, around Cape Horn and home. Our port calls were few but were pleasant and i nteresting. The long hours at sea were busy as we engaged in drills, competitive exercises and completion of projects we were unable to finish during our hectic Sixth Fleet deployment. Two hootenannys, a beard growing contest and a steak fry on the fantail were well attended and some of our talented crew- members demonstrated the wide range of their interests and abilities. Acey-deucy tournaments throughout the ship brought forth some dark horse winners and endless discussion about who won or lost. With some relief that the long cruise was almost over we prepared to enter Charleston on 3 October. We entered port with the firm knowledge that we hod performed well and that Operation Sea Orbit was a success. — ' j - i

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