Comstock (LSD 45 LSD 19) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 41 text:

buekner bav iiuiiia ii scarcely any time at all after the Channel Islands had dropped from sight astern. These pictures also recall to mind the seemingly endless require- ment for typhoon evasion. We ran through an alphabet-full of typhoons while deployed. Re- member one evasion when we came across three Russianvessels headed for Petropavlovsk? Our memory is mindful, too, of the constant change in scheduling that started when we es- corted the Noble to Pearl Harbor at the cruise outset and ended only when we returned to San Diego November 24. The shipboard scenes remind us that life never seemed quite routine. There was always some- thing to write home about, whether it was about making repairs to a boat or what the main course was at dinner. Inspections, maintenance, watch standing — all were part of the day to day life. On the trip from Pearl to Kwajalien we found the well deck to be a ready-made volleyball court. The O Division squeezed by the Officers to win the first tournament, while S Division was leading the second one when the tournament was called off due to a crowded court. Life aboard was never more hectic, possibly, than when Mob 5 came aboard for a month ' s stay. Both the Comstock and the Seabees learned what the word mobile in the MCB title really stands for. Training, of course, could not be neglected during our tour. Kin Lex Beach on Okinawa was the scene of many amphibious exercises. The re- sult of our efforts was to win the amphibious assault insigne, which in turn led to the unpre- cedented steak fry on the 5 gun deck. No cruise resume is complete without at least a mention of the ports of call. Oahu with its grass skirts and Waikiki Beach was a pleasant interlude, both going to and re- turning from WestPac. The stop at Kwajalein, a mere coral speck in the expanse of the Pacific, where many Ameri- cans died in World War II, made us realize what a waste of humanity war is. Subic Bay provided a breathing spell after a month of nearly-continuous steaming. The cock fights, the golf course, the swimming pool, the clubs are brought to mind. At Naha, Okinawa, the Comstock entertained yokosuka apra

Page 40 text:

pearl harbor kwajalein subic bav Cruise Highlights When a sailor leaves Point Loma behind, he does so with mixed emotions. There is the thought of leaving behind his family, his friends, his established way of life. Balancing this is the adventure of sailing to foreign lands, of shop- ping tours in storybook places, of facing the unknown. And so it was on April 16, 1959, aboard the Comstock when, in company with most of Trans- Ron One, she departed San Diego for a seven- month deployment as a unit of the Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific. This cruise book has as its purpose not only to set down in pictures a few of the highlights of the cruise, but also to jog the memory of many other pleasant experiences that might otherwise be forgotten. For instance, the scenes of heavy seas remind us of the landlubbers who earned their sea legs kaohsiung hong kong

Page 42 text:

about 70 school children in support of the Presi- dent ' s People-to-People program. During this event each youngster was given a picture of him- self with his sailor escort, taken by means of a Polaroid camera. The Navy ' s Chief of Informa- tion thought so much of this procedure that he authorized each Navy ship to purchase a Pola- roid camera for use in similar situations. Among activities at Buckner Bay, Okinawa, was the change of command September 22. With Commodore King in attendance, Commander Sandvigen relieved Commander Kable in a brief, formal ceremony. Our visit to Kaohsiung was occasioned by a few days ' training with Chinese Nationalist forces at Tsoying. Here, too, we contributed to world friendship by entertaining about 40 youngsters with a tour of the ship and ice cream and cake. Hong Kong was its usual glamorous self. Sightseeing and shopping were never-ending in a week filled with finding the least expensive way to go broke saving money. A week ' s stay at Yokosuka, sandwiched around an operational visit to Numazu, Japan, permitted informal excursions to Tokyo, Yoko- hama, Kamakura and other neighborhood areas. Shopping was the favorite diversion. China, pearls, glassware and toys were purchased in huge quantities as items on the shopping list were pared. Finally, there was Guam. Two periods of up- keep provided a wealth of time for sightseeing and recreation, especially softball, bowling, golf and swimming. Summing it all up, it was quite a cruise with quite a few memories, wasn ' t it? fyr- 38