Bataan (CVL 29) - Naval Cruise Book

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ADMINISTRATIVE INSPECTION Even with the ship deployed in a forward area, the annual administrative inspection had to be held. On 23 April 1952, while in Kobe, BATAAN was visited by an official inspection party consisting of ComCarDiv 15, Admiral Corn- well, and his staff, assisted by Captain Morsi of the USS BAIROKO and officers from that ship. The administrati e inspection Admiral Cornwell holds Administrative Inspection of the crew. consists of a complete check on all phases of the administration and command rela- tions of the ship, including all departments and personnel. Admiral Cornw ell and his party combed BATAAN from top to bottom scrutinizing Admiral Clornwcll, Captain Morsi (of the Bairoko), C aptain Horncy, Cdr. Arndt, Cdr. Ford. Admiral Cornwell inspects our gcdunk stand. records, spaces, and equipment for discrepancies. Upon completion of their tour a criticjue was held and each officer in charge of a separate phase reported his findings with suggestions for improvement. These suggestions were few in number and were far outweighed by words of commendation. The ship received an overall mark of excellent, a grade which brought a great deal of justifiable pride to the officers and men of BATAAN. Thus BATAAN could show that e en under the rigors of a full operating schedule she had maintained the highest standards of Navy effi- ciency and could be credited with one more job well done. 1

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KOBE TOURS Hridc and groom leave Shrine after wedding cere- mony. Temple and Shrine where wedding took place.

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SASEBO Latr in thr aftnndon of 26 Apn . BATAAN passed thioiiRh the sub- marine nets of Sasebo Harbor. Sasebo, second only to Vokosuka in importance as a UN naval base, pro ides excellent protected harbor facilities for all size ships. Developed in secrecy by the Japanese prior to the start of World War II, Sasebo ser ed the Imperial Fleet as an oper- ating base while controlling the China and ' ellow Seas. The strategic position of Sasebo has been utilized by UN Naval Forces because of its proximity to Korean waters. Much time and money has been saved since the start of the Korean conflict by making mainte- nance and repair facilities a ailable at this southern port, eliminating the lone trek to Yokosuka. n Sasebo, as BATAAN passes through the nets. The city built on the shores of this bay has little historical back- ground. It grew mainly as a resul t of Japanese development of the port in the early thirties. It is listed as a major railroad terminal because of its military importance. The popula- tion, now estimated at fifty thousand Japanese, has increased considerably since the start of the Korean conflict. Typical oriental hucksters are to be seen lining the city streets, offering native wares and entertainment in return for ever increasing quantities of yen. However, Naval personnel are quite well provided with recrea- tional facilities on the Naval Station and at the adjoining army base, Camp Mower. While Sasebo offers little in the way of oriental charm, it does pro- ide the UN ships with an excellent base for operating in Korean waters. Buoy 18, our anchoraijr for many long months.