Bremerton (CA 130) - Naval Cruise Book

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GUAM .2 we 5 522' Q 4 . ff ft ie ff QVOO We stopped off for three days on our way to Japan at the principle island of the Marianas, Guam. A U.S. possession in the vast ocean between Hawaii and the Philippines, the tropcial island is today an important air base and fueling station for Navy ships. We found some beautiful beaches of coral-white sand lined with coconut palms, and here and there the remains of Japanese and American war equiment rusting in silent testimony to the bitter fighting which occured during the war. At the Plaze de Espana we saw the house which has been occupied by Spanish, American, and Japanese governors. But best of all was the Christmas mail which arrived just in time for the holiday. Underway December 24th, Bremerton spent her second straight Christmas at sea. But we had Christmas trees and decorations, and even though we had to put it off a night because of rough weather we had a Christmas program which featured the ship's choir and best wishes from the Admiral and Captain. As for the scrumtuous Christmas dinner, it left nothing to be desired except a little more stomach room.

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I ' 'gifs' 1 After passing through Fall, Summer, Spring, and Summer again on our voyage to the Southern Hemisphere and back, the cold shock of winter in Japan cut clean through our blues as we steamed into Tokyo Bay December 28. But with the big trip ended after l2,000 miles, we were glad to be back in familiar territory for a two-week upkeep period. For years a leading naval port for the Japanese and American Navies-- still full of caves and bomb shelters- unglamorous Yokosuka is nevertheless a sailor's paradise. The Naval Base fa- cilities are excellent, the Enlisted Mens' Club is the World's largest, the shopping along Souvenir Alley combines fantastic variety with the sport of the bargain, and the glittering night life is famous throughout the fleet. What better place to welcome the New Year than here, where the Japanese, bless them, make the celebration of their biggest holiday of the year last a full week ? More than one old-timer was heard humming to himself, as Bremerton's bow eased alongside the same floating pier she left ll months earlier, Back home again in Yokoboogie-I I. VX L 9 H5 Y0ll0SlI A