Benham (DD 796) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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 !

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ITALY Many of the crew had already visited Naples, but it still held a certarn appeal even for them. Once one had gotten by the crowds at the gate, there were attractions that could not be matched. Beautiful Sorrento, the Isle of Capri, the Ruins of Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, and Rome. Naples itself offered on interesting, night life, excellent food ond fine buys especially in leother goods. And many of the officers now proudly sport their Borsolino hats on liberty. The beautiful sights, scenes of many famous ballads, folk songs and operas were fully exploited by the comera fans. There were as many tours available from the local citizenry as their were by the regular agencies. Tours about Naples itself were interesting, but as some of us still had to learn, rates must be agreed on before hand. A Popal audience was granted at Rome and many took advontage of this once in a life time opportunity to visit Vatican City. The unusual Italian trains, with their individual compartments, were enjoyed by those who mode the trip. And the trains actuolly did run on time. Beatification Ceremony, St. Peter s Town Hall Square Ancient Castle, Naples