Leyte (CV 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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The LEYTE and the harbor from Christi Regina King Neptune Italian War Memorial Messina Cathedral with its famous clock. At noon the lion roars, angels ring the bells and the cock crows

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MESSINA-NOVEMBER 18-21 LEAVING Tripoli November 17, the LEYTE knifed her way northward through the Med en route to Messina, Sicily. On the 18th we tied up at the docks inside the sickle-shaped harbor of Messina. Rising high above the clouds in the back- ground is snow-covered Mt. Etna, which added to this city ' s beauty from seaward. Since this was our first gangway liberty in the Med, boat officers and crews will always have fond memories of Messina. Now go to your stations all the special sea and mooring detail MESSINA, completely destroyed by an earth- quake in 1908 (84,000 persons were killed), was rebuilt only to be battered seriously 32 years Liberty commences for sections one and three, to expire on board ship at 2400-18 November later when the ravages of World War II struck here. Today it is mostly restored, although many of the buildings still standing show scars of bombings. The peddlers were out in force to rob-l mean-greet us

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TAORMINA SOME thirty miles south of Messina lies the pic- turesque antique resort town of Taormina. Her elevated position gives a beautiful view of the coast- line with Mount Etna to the south completing a scene of magnificent charm. The town was founded by the Greek colonists who left this theatre, 377 feet in diameter, seating 40,000 people. The pit was used to hold animals when the Romans used the theatre for their blood- thirsty games. Today, Taormina is the chief resort town of Sicily and rivals Capri for its scenery and quaint charm. The winding road op the steep cliffs Panorama of the town The guide gives us a blow-by-blow description of the battles of two thousand years ago. In this arena the gladiators fought to attain glory, money, or death.