Belle Grove (LSD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 12 text:

FIRST STOP... WE PAY HOMAGE TO THE U. S. S. ARIZONA, THE WATERY MASS GRAVE OF A GREW, AND SENSE THE STUPIDITY AND FUTILITY OF MAN ' S INHUMANITY TO MAN CANADIAN AMERICAN ACCORD IT ' S A BARGAIN ... HAWAII... After seven days of formation steaming through cahii seas. Diamond Head loomed into view. The initial short leg of our trip to Westpac had been accomplished. The crew donned their dress canvas and hit the beach to mingle with the natives for a dav and a half of relaxation. They went to the beach, had a cooler or two and met the Canadians who had formed our Destroyer screen on the voyage to Hawaii.

Page 11 text:

UNDERWAY WESTPAC TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY THE STEAMING ROUTINE . . . m. f.w n - A Mm ' On 16 February we departei Long Beach leaving the smal groups of well -wishers standin on the dock to get smalle before disappearing for six months We sortied out the east breakwate as part of Task Unit 32. 9. 1 am commenced our steaming routine The Navigator sacked out in th wardroom. Tiampo increased hi geedunk sales and the pay lin formed as usual.

Page 13 text:

J,V-- :.,v. - Up PSmBI BHI V B K s B B jn ' hE - ; jini, . -v A : H ; ll ' ' ' ' i ' SB.- ij L ■ i d ' fiiKif . — — — i Early on the morning of the 25th we steamed out of Pearl Harhor and proceeded independent of the Task Unit in order to lessen the strain on our refurhished old uniflow engines. We left the palms and cliffs of the Hawaian Islands and set sail into the vast emptiness of the Pacific Ocean. .f . ' SIeSS kSnS I h y fl B HpMJ H Ul 1 . - .j4[ T— - i g jH i M Ei B B ' i l