Benham (DD 796) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 43 text:

CEYLON The island of Ceylon lies in those latitudes which divide the Indian Ocean from the Bay of Bengal. The harbor at Colombo is said to be the largest artificial anchorage in the world. To take advantage of every square yard of space, ships moored to buoys both fore and aft. This arrangement enabled the Ceylonese to literally pack their harbor. The city of Colombo itself offered little in the way of recreation. Along with the Galle Face Hotel and the beautiful resort of Mount Lavinia, the open-front shops displayed a profusion of brass pots and pans, fruit and mony other foodstuffs. A few BENHAM sailors made the interesting trip from Colombo through the jungle to Kandy. Although there were many interesting sights, the most interesting part of the trip wos the trip through the jungle. The road twisted and turned as it would its way to the center of the island, nearly 4,000 feet above sea level. Along the road could be seen rice paddies, tea plontations and finally the dork jungle. ' ■ ' : - Elephant Walk - Kandy ' Watch out !

Page 42 text:

MALAYA Singapore is set on a plain which is almost level with the sea and upon entering the port, we could see mony, white buildings and spires which seemed to rise out of flat eorth. The British Colonial stamp of order was clearly apporent in Singapore with quiet harmony among the thousands of Malayons, C-hinese, Inaians ond many other nationalities and religions. Famed for its rubber, tin and qold deposits, Malaya is also a peninsula seething with com- munists. In spite of the unrest and guerilla war- fare which plagues the Northern States, the island of Singapore remains peaceful and continues to grow wealthy. There was little of the oriental intrigue which Hollywood has made the stigma of Singapore, As a matter of fact, most people could not even find a Singapore Sling, much less a smoky bar with bamboo curtains. Moreover, our spending spree in Hong Kong left most of us with non too ample funds and we could not afford much more than o delightful swim at one of the swimming pools. We left the city after a frugal, but relaxing visit. Guests of her Majesty ' s Armed Forces S ' H ' h-f Mosque ms:-.! )im ' SJSBm fypical street scene Heavy traffic on the Bay

Page 44 text:

SUEZ CANAL Aden was a brown, barren, dry British protectorate consisting of a series of baked, mud buildings, leaning against each other at drunken angles and scattered over the side of a mountain that hod once been a volcano. We stayed here for but a few short hours to refuel. Leaving Aden, we entered the Red Sea, which despite its name was a beautiful bluish green. The first day drove most of us below because the seas were running heavy, but the two days following were calm and sunny. Upon entering Suez Bay, the uniform was declared undress blues, as cool weather was finally beginning to set in. In fact, foul weather jackets were issued to the crew. We anchored from 1400 until to 2030 awaiting for ■ the next turn to enter the canal. As we waited, the canal authorities rigged an enormous headlight on the foc ' sle. The Suez Canal, unlike the Panama Conal, handles traffic one-way and it stretches for eighty miles with a breadth of forty yards. Our passage was made mostly at night and very little of the country could be seen, but we were as- sured that we were missing nothing of interest, since desert reached on both sides for as for as the eye could see. Steaming at five to ten knots the trip took about twelve hours. At Port Soid, Egypt, we stopped again for fueling, and from the ship the city seemed fairly large and it bespoke a certain mysteriousness and activity that was vouched for by the large amount of merchant shipping that wos anchored in the harbor. After fueling we departed and set a course for Naples, Italy. (KlliB ' I !)UIS « MBti lilili I j| this ■ l[ ibse