Block Island (CVE 106) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 63 text:

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Page 62 text:

X rwfs '- 1'-1' mr r' ,1 -za., 1 W g, s - V . - V , e . VUL, .., .I --T'-:.,1. vw -- 1 I--V. H rxyu H - .. - .... , .. . - Q.. L -1- M i . . M- .Jax-,!L.3.-,A . . - - ,. Ju . KI c T0 ,JAMAIC FOLLOWING our lessons in French and the franc, we steamed for Kingston, Jamaica, a port pre- viously visited by the FBI last year. Looking from the Bay we could see the conspicuous and beautiful Long Mountain encircling Kingston providing a background that took our breath away. Then, from the elevated superstructure of this mountain, looking backwards toward the Bay and the ship we saw another scenic thrill well worth remembering. Wild orange, man- go and banana trees were seen growing wild in fields, pastures and golf courses enroute to north John Bull Jamaica's Charm shore points. Also visited on this side of the island was the luxurious Tower Isle Hotel, re- splendent with wild flowers and trees of all varieties. The principal beverages of the island are rum and coffee, each distinctive in its own field, and one taste of either is enough to convince even the toughest of men that ,lamaicans are not sissies. That before dinner rum cocktail set us on our ear, however, the after dinner cup of Blue Mountain coffee put the curl back in our hair. And then stepping onto the street in front of the Myrtle Bank, a preponderance of taxi- cabs were seen, all wanting to take the boys for a little ride. Of noteworthy interest and pleasure was the shipis dance held at the Myrtle Bank Hotel. Accompaniment was by the ship's combo, the hillbillies and the Myrtle Bank's own band. So through our re-newed acquaintances, new friends and present companions we all enjoyed our brief, but eventful sojourn here.

Page 64 text:

,-g5,,,fi,.s.m.1,n1g A-Q- -1---J --1:91291-slew' 4- , , -' u D GTMO WL- 1 AROUND THE horseshoe of the island and across the bay we anchored in the harbor of Guaffli- tanamo Bay, Cuba, long a naval supply and replenishing base where we found baseball games, golf, swimming, horseback riding and division parties galore. Our stop here brought 11s a long awaited deluge of letters and packages from home and more than one 1naT1 was seen floating through the ship on cloud nine, a result of that uperfumed envelope from heavenf, The huge naval exchange offered everyone the opportunity of buying many luxury items at considerable savings. And, of course, the two for a quarter bottles of Hotuey, a Cuban-inspired product afforded, and encouraged, many .i.,.,.. a headache and aching muscles. f During our stay here the FBI basketball team had a chance to further their exploits on the hardwood floors in preparation for the ComAirLant tournament in which, eventually, they placed third. The season's record was an impressive 28 won and 4 lost with games being played as far north as Boston and as far south as the Caribbean area. Addi- tional information as to the handicaps sometimes encoun- tered can be seen from the fact , that all types of courts were em- Inspection on Flight Deck ployed, everything from the in- door floor to outdoor asphalt and gravel courts, this, therefore, adding all the more to the record of the team. Our ship's combo played for an affair in the Chief's Club and their harmonious tones and tunes were met with a huge ova- tion. They also used the facilities of the Base radio station, this be- ing the first time any shipboard organization had done this in three years. Rocks . . . GTMO Y