Benham (DD 796) - Naval Cruise Book

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k DRESSED IP FOR THE QUEEN S BIRTHDAY SWIMMING POOL AT THE HOE ENGLAND REBITLDS! PLYMOUTH ENGLAND Plymouth is located 231 miles west southwest of London. The 1938 population estimate was 211, 800. Plymouth has long been one of the major ports in England, many voyages of discovery and explora- tion having originated here. Plymouth has always been a major operating base for the Royal Navy and during the 18th and 19th centuries was the main base for trade with the West Indies and America. On the I4th of May we arrived in good old Plymouth and moored alongside the U.S.S. NOA to a buoy not far from the dockyard east of the city. Our stay here lasted for two weeks with three days out at sea with the NOA for exercises. On the first weekend in port the American Ex- press sponsored a tour to London from Friday to Monday morning. Many who went up did not go on the tours but just had a good time on their own. Many too, found interesting sights around Plymouth including the Hoe, Old Plymouth, and the landing where the Mayflower sailed for America. The second time in Plymouth was on July 28 and was a short stay of two days while the MELVIN relieved us of our choice duties in Northern Europe while we headed for the Mediterranean and what we thought would be three months of grueling sea operations.

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ARGENTIA NEWFOUNDLAND On the 22nd of April the U.S.S. BENHAM left Newport, Rhode Island for the most interesting cruise that has been taken by our ship. Our first port-o-call was Argentia, Newfoundland. This little known navy base up there in the cold had little to offer, though the beer hall was warm and cozy. Doc was a little surprised at McKee ' s getting the hives from canned beer — canned Millers that is. SCENIC VIEW REYKJAVIK REYKJAVIK, ICELAND HOTEL BORG REYKJAVIK GEYSER OUTSIDE OF REYKJAVIK Moving further north, almost to the Arctic Circle, the BENHAM next anchored in Reykjavik Harbor for four days. This city is the chief port and capital of Iceland. Ashore, most of the time and money was spent at the Hotel Borg or on tours in and around the port. The homes and buildings were all made of cement and sheet metal for there is no timber in the country. Practically all the buildings in Iceland are heated by natural hot water which is piped from 10 miles outside of town arriving at the homes at about 160 degrees F. Liberty being up at ten, we came back to the ship with the sun still high in the sky, the sun finally going down at ten thirty and arising at an early two AM. The land of the cold and snow and the Hotel Borg will never be forgotten.

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NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND Newcastle stands on the hills above the River Tyne at the begin- ning of the old Roman Wall which was to separate England from Scot- land. The city owes its growth to the river and its shipbuilding yards extend ten miles along the right bank of the Tyne. The original settlement, known as Monk Chester, was destroyed by William the Conqueror. Newcastle on the Tyne was one of the favorite ports of the crew, for, besides many pretty girls there were many exciting and interesting places to visit including Durham Cathedral and Kings College. Some of the men visited Edinburgh, Scot- land for one day. Newcastle proved to be a wonderful host — city trans- portation was free; a truckload of Pepsi Cola was given to the ship. Many guests visited the ship including Frank Randle and cast of his show Randies Scandles of 1952. The Lord Mayor of Newcastle made an official visit to the ship and inspected the honor guard. The men of the BENHAM will never forget Newcastle on the Tyne. LORD MAYOR VISITS BENHAM ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE AROUND DURHAM TWO MEN OF THE SCOTTISH INFANTRY iWi 9SHiiik Mwa«»£ ' : ' ' •.