Benham (DD 796) - Naval Cruise Book

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S. S. AMERICA AT BREMERHAVEN BREMERHAVEN, GERMANY Bremerhaven-Wesermunde is situated on the right bank of the Weser River about 32 miles from the river ' s mouth. The city of Bremerhaven includes the city of Wesermunde, the largest fish port of Germany. In 1941, the population was 114,000. Bremerhaven was built in 1827-30 by Bremen as an out-port (on land bought from Hanoxer) and it has subsequently expanded. Its population in 1933 was only 25,799, but its development was somewhat hampered by the fact that the Hanoverian (later Prussian) towns of the Lake, Wnesdorf and Geestremunde grew in the immediate vicinity. In 1941 the towns of Bremerhaven and Wesermunde were united. The port suffered considerable damage during World War II, but has since been largely rebuilt. Bremerhaven is the chief port for embarkation and debarkation of American troops in Germany. There are quite a few Americans in the Lity due to the Army and Navy Bases located there. The BENHAM was moored at Columbus Qua) ' , Na al Advance Base. Entertainment was quite limited, the most popular spot was the Anchor Inn, the only place in the city where American food and beverages of all kinds could be obtained. Also there were some interesting tours available including trips to Bremen.

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w I Bi ;.-.. :.l , !!»tV , Mninit!!!!! tnntittt, nii PART OF HAMBURG SKYLINE The following two notes of interest were translated from German papers and forwarded to the ship by the American Consulate General in Hamburg. The only unfriendly note struck by the press was from the local Communist paper, the Hamburger Volkszeitung. It reads as follows: What do the American Destroyers ivant at Harnhurg? Every mat! needs his daily bread. Thus Hamburg port needs the lisit of ships that bring icork and bread, that revive trade, and that make Hamburg again the gateway into the worlds. However, our port does not need ships with the unpleasant name of destroyer, armed uilh guns that may be forerunners of other ivarships and of the General-War-Treaty-Marine planned by Adenauer. To beg:n with, there were 60 NATO officers nosing around in the port of Hamburg, figuring out its use as a war port. Now there are two U.S. Destroyers supposed to lie in port for 6 days. Their names already express which fate will threaten the port of Hamburg and our town unless we try with all our might to preserve peace; destruction. The population of Hamburg does not want to see those ships that make our harbor a sight that is unwanted. City mayor Brauer should know that too. The commanders of the destroyers are paying him an official visit today, and tomorrow he will send his representatives aboard the U.S. warships. The majority of the press articles spoke of our visit in Hamburg in the following manner: Songs at Landungsbruecken . Blue hoys and a charming captain . Crowds of people stood watching at Landungsbruecken, admiring the two American destroyers Noa and Ben- ham that arrived Tuesday. The men off duty aboard had a charming surprise for the onlookers. W ith guitars and voices the sailor boys from beyond the ocean sang their melodious folksongs and Negro chanties. Loudspeakers carried the music across. It is a gay thing if songs are heard aboard a uarship and sailors do tapdancing. Police had difficulties yesterday to keep a pathway free for sailors going ashore from the ships. Many of the blue boys with gay while jollyhat carried a brand new German-English dictionary to be on the safe side of things . SLIGHT ACCIDENT HARBOR, HAMBURG fi- - %p , 4j(j? -r . m TI-T . ■. ■ fcW. ' ' M W t g «as B ' ' -- 5Jr= ' - . SHIPYARDS ON THE ELBE

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EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND BEACH ACTIVITIES On TLicsday, July 2, 19 ' 2, the BENHAM arrived at Easthoiirne, England, a popular sum- mer resort on the southeastern coast of Eng- land, for a six day courtesy visit. The visit was enjoyed particularly by approximately fifty members of the crew who had the misfortune of being stranded on the beach. Due to rough weather it was impossible to run boats out to the ship anchored a half mile off shore. The city of Eastbourne provided a score of entertainments for the BENHAM under the excellent supervision of Mr. E. W. Lee, the city ' s publicity director. We were invited to attend several stage shows, went on a tour of the surrounding countryside, discovered the secrets of brewing beer at the Star Brewery, and to top it all off there was a special Independence Day dance on the Eastbourne Pier. The few stranded men who were able to attend the affair had some difficulty trying to accept the hundreds of invitations to dance extended by the four hundred girls who had turned up in the hope of welcoming the majority of the crew. The weather did abate during the latter part of our stay though, and all hands had a chance to enjoy the hospitality of Eastbourne. Many of us managed to take the 60 mile trip to London where we viewed the ancient castles and other historic spots for which London is famous. A large number o( white hats were seen in famed Piccadilly Circus also. On the last day of our stay we received a message which sent us flashing through the sea in a mad race against time to rendezvous with the record-breaking S.S. United States which we were to escort into the harbor at Southampton. We were a few minutes late however and arrived there only to see the huge liner disappearing into a fog bank at the harbor entrance. Left: CROWN JEWELS, LONDON. ENGLAND Below: Ya ' 1st Goot!