Brumby (DE 1044) - Naval Cruise Book

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up and around in a flash. SoonBRUMBY was D.I.W. and began to rock violently in the swells. In an hour or so, the hardworking engineers had us steam - ing again on our track toward Rota. BRUMBY'S arrival in Rota, Spain on8 Decem- ber was especially noted by the USS BARNEY which we were to relieve. We were more than ready for our first liberty and mail call since leaving the United States. The next four days would be a trying time for the Spanish police, the Shore Patrol, and the XO, but we had to go ashore for refreshment and good times . Furthermore, we wanted to buy civilian clothes, thanks to Uncle Elmo's Z-gram. The United States rents the Rota base from Spain on a long-term basis. Rota is a supply and communications center and most ships stop there before entering the Med or before starting the trip back to the States. We enjoyed three days of liberty in Rota, sam- pling the Spanish foodand drink. Some traveled to the cities of Cadiz and Seville. But duty calls. With the BARNEY on her way back to the United States, an envious BRUMBY crew left Rota on the llth to join the 6th Fleet. Later that afternoon, BRUMBY approached the Straits of Gibraltar. Sunshine and calm seas brought the off-watch topside. Off the starboard side were the mountains of Morocco, but everyone from the new boots to the old-timers was occupied

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belonging to Britain. BRUMBY passed through an Opening in the coral reef that surrounds the island and carefully made way to the naval base where a fuel barge awaited her. Bermuda is apopular tour- ist haven and the sparkling waters and colorful homes made us regret our stay would be so short, By 1600 the same day BRUMBY was leaving Ber- muda behind. A longer leg of our transit across the Atlantic lay ahead and the navigators charted a course for the Azores which we would reach in five days. On 5 December Ponta Delgada on Sao Miquel Island arose, as if by magic, over the bow. Again there would be no liberty, but we would have a short period of relaxation and the chance to have dinner on stable mess decks. The Azores is a group of nine volcanic islands and several islets belonging to Portugal. Located 750 miles west of Lisbon, Ponta Delgada in the Sao Miquel group is a regular fueling stop for U.S. Ships. It would have been great to stretch our legs on the rolling hills and narrow streets of this island paradise. But with fueling completed in H few hours, the BRUMBY was once again underway. Destination - - Rota, Spain. With Rota as her goal, BRUMBY steamed on with the sunset and home far astern. Around mid- night On the next day, fires were lost in the boilers. The immediate silence and darkness had 6VGI'y0ne

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CHE 15015 H0195 SJ-!OW ,Y 3 Li. , I ' if A Q 'f X i 'C 'X it v ,, 1, f f - f with the famed Rock of Gibraltar. Completing the three-ringed circus were several groups of por- poise swimming and jumping around the sonar dome. The rough Atlantic was a part of the past and with a spirited crew, BRUMBY steamed into the calm Mediterranean. The BRUMBY crossed the Med with Soudha Bay, Crete at the end of the quartermaster's track. This island south of Greece welcomed us on 19 December with a brisk wind and chilly tempera- tures. There would be no shore liberty, but we were anxious to see the annual Bob Hope Christmas Show aboard the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY QCVA 67 J which was anchored nearby. Not long after the hook had been dropped the three liberty sections began to take small boats to the carrier. Most of the 6th Fleet in the eastern Med was present in the bay and several thousand sailors assembled on the huge flight deck as Hope's crew set up its cameras and sound equipment for the show. No space was wasted as sailors took seats from every vantage point. Occasionally one of the Golddiggers fThe Dean Martin Showb W0uld make an appearance on the flight deck or on the island. Naturally, she com- manded the attention and stares of all those ...er well, anxious sailors. Ol' Hook Nose brought an all-star cast with -f ' JlL1.,,,f..., ,V .... .,.. .,,. -W , .. ........ . - . l