Block Island (CVE 106) - Naval Cruise Book

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my ,.-.5-,--,,, , , ---.. , ,W . ... M' z1f:w,fz J.. .1312-:P L:-'wi' 'l-3. vlaglzzi V n f -' --.f --'f--:-+2 ..-cf:-1 . -- - if - -- ' 'IQNIHHI V ' . 2.31 air. .' J - , - . R- - -- 1 ,..- ..,. , .mf QSM ggi--:,--2-,,, g5ET9:.Sf5,?EQ1:.-Qi:-F Eff HH512 .1uwmmwMnmv11---- - The following Monday We left for home and the anticipation of returning to US shores was apparent from the many cases of Mchannel feverw exhibited by the men. Finally, on that Friday morning in Febru- ary we dropped the hook in the Waters of Chesapeake Bay and scores of sailors hurried for the beach to tell, retell and remember the stories of their 1953 Carib- bean Cruise. It had been a period of inten- sive training for all of us and we had un- dergone everything from round the clock flying to before dawn fueling, all without mishap. We received outstanding and well done's for most of our efforts and we re- membered these Words of praise as well as the following memories: N'DlV Q -tl - -- He SAYS hewmuis 'two Pesos, 1-hree P9045 67 CQGRYEHSS, and-Hxe BLOCK 'ISLAND.'T'CLLhyyq we NNT sei- -the 1-wo DES05 I 1 CANT HELP UT wr 'fm Cummins, Au.vRxN6-, AND STSLL H me z vase!

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IRELA D FRIENDLY, affable, hospitable, quaint, rugged, interesting, jocular, modest, charming, all this, and much more can be said of the residents of these places we visited. From the moment we step- ped on Fleet Landing until the Mlong blast on the buglew signifying departure, we knew we had met people as gracious as any there are throughout the world. The Regal rug was out for the men of the BLOCK ISLAND and we treaded lightly, yet with full intensity on the stairway to a good time. We were entertained in every con- ceivable manner possible, dancing at Fifstthe Mayo' Comes Aboard the parish hall where, and this was a pleasant surprise, there were more hostesses than sailors, golf, wonderfully interesting courses, fishing, superb trout, sightseeing tours of the area, cricket and drinking-ah, that soothing Irish beer and whiskey. We saw vivid coloring everywhere, from the apple red cheeks of the children to the patch- work green farms dotting the countryside, everything was a maze of wild, alive color. We took the scenic train and bus rides into Belfast along the beautiful coastal route in search of tweed coats and Irish linens, and the Nsharpw outfits and lovely dining room ensembles that returned were well worth the trip. The sightseeing tour from Bangor to Newcastle and back was notable for the extreme beauty and ultimate simplicity of the countryside. One important stop was at the grave of St. Patrick, next to the beautiful Cathedral of Down. Other interesting areas in- cluded Downpatrick, Donaghadee and Newcastle where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea. We made many, many friends in these two places, so much so, that in ensuing days and weeks, correspondence has flown back and forth over the Atlantic at speeds approximating those of the sound barriers. The lovely Colleens and the fighting y Irish made an unbeatable com- A bination. Fleet Landing , . 4 I f 'i 1 f 3, R' xl. I 'iq it 1 Q 1 1 2 2 3 f I 1 N J u