John Pierce (DD 753) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 49 text:

GIBRALTAR Here, finally, was that long-awaited last port, Gibraltar, the gateway to the Medi- terranean. We steamed past the Rock and slipped into our moorings in the early light. There above us stood that fortress rock that has guarded the entrance to the Mediter- ranean since man learned to sail the open seas. The city itself consists mostly of small houses and narrow streets that find their own way up the side of the mountain. Gibraltar wasn ' t much of a liberty port as far as entertainment goes. As one sea- man aptly put it, That ' s all it is, a rock. No matter where you went in the city, parts of a fortress or defending wall could be found. This whole mountain is actually a fortress itself, being honeycombed with passageways and gun ports Again we noticed the British influence in this city, perhaps more than before, for as you walked through the streets you would see the bobbies and the soldiers that marched in that high-stepping, arm-swing- ing style. And once again we struggled with shillings, pounds and pence. Most of us spent our time in town or took a trip up to the rock which looked out over the strait to Africa across the way. That night, there were few of us who were reluctant to come back to the ship, for this was the last liberty before heading . . . home.

Page 51 text:

;. • ? Pni Left above, the John R Pierce approaches her berth at the Convoy Escort Piers. First line was over at 1 100, exactly as scheduled Left below, a real welcome home as friends and families wait on the dock and the Grand Canyon. Above, with lines just secured, the full guard welcomes aboard top brass In the foreground, two weeks of mail wait to be brought aboard. United States Sh,p jj,„ f£. „ , (2 2 753) 12 Dec. 1952 ()() 1 1 IooikI slcuhoiird ilde to the dock at C onuou C icort f- i . fforfoiK, ' a. 1120 fiKniil oil leave and aJLibertu artiei