Briscoe (DD 977) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAIRO, EGYPT SEPTEMBER 19-20 OCTOBER 08- 09 As Briscoe rested at anchor in Hurghada ' s harbor, groups of sail- ors journeyed to Cairo for a two day tour. Cairo, the capital of Egypt and largest city in Africa, is a booming metropolis of 14 million people. Throughout most of its history, Cai- ro has been a major center of trade due to its location on the Nile River. The ship ' s tour commenced at the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, where the American sailors mar- veled at Egypt ' s ancient history. Some of the world ' s most important archeologicat treasures from the Old Worth, dating from 3200 B.C. to 500 A.D., were housed In this muse- um, including the famous Death Mask of King Tutankhamen. Most of Egypt ' s pharaohs were buried in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. Some, however, were en- crypted in the Pyramids of Giza, lo- cated nine miles west of Cairo. The largest of the Giza pyramids is the Great Pyramid, the Seventh Wonder of the Old World, standing 481 feet high at its apex. Five hundred feet southeast of the Great Pyramid stands the sol- emn Sphinx, a recumbent lion with the head of a man which guards the Pharaoh ' s tomb. The body of the lion symbolized kingship and might while the human head symbolized intelligence. In downtown Cairo, Briscoe sail- ors visited Egypt ' s Tomb of the l|n- known Soldier, a massive three legged pyramid covering a solitary slab of marble. Directly across the street from this monument stood the reviewing stand where Presi- dent Anwar Sadat was assassinated. For a traveler in search of history or pleasure, few cities in the world can match the historical treasures Briscoe sailors discovered in Cairo.

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HAIFA, ISRAEL OCTOBER 27- NOVEMBER 05 The port visit to Haifa, Israel marked the midway point of Briscoe ' s deployment. Haifa, which is located approximate- ly 25 miles south of Lebanon, is home to the friendliest USO in the Mediterranean. Most Israelis spoke excellent English and sailors were exposed to Israeli culture through USO sponsored parties, trips to a kibbutz, classical concerts by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra and invitations to Israeli homes. While in Israel, Briscoe sailors visited Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and the Sea of Galilee. Tours to Jeru- salem were by far the biggest hit! Briscoe sailors took advan- tage of every opportunity to see historic sights like the old walled city of Jerusalem, the Western Wall (the Wailing Wall) and the Dome of the Rock. Sailors who remained in Haifa feasted on shwarmas, falafels and other Israeli delicacies. Those who wanted to shop in a western style mall traveled to the Scud Mall, so named for being hit by an Iraqi missile during the Gulf War. Others ventured to the Caprice Dia- mond Factory which featured precious stones at relatively inexpensive prices. In all, Haifa was one of Briscoe ' s best port visits of the deployment. Besides the important histori- cal sites, it was the especially warm welcome extended by the Israeli people that made the crew feel at home. ■I: !fi ■ Xt ' i i v ? y m:. U •■ n ina. IKS :mw immi im t - f- • -: 0fi ■ liuAf Y ' ( SS BRISCOE., . Ii ' - i E-IPOYftD