Montrose (APA 212) - Naval Cruise Book

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LIBERTY CALL ' in A Motley Crew Bug ch..-fs Timmons, McFader1, 8. Balajadia go over C2 'cn I5 Six Little indians Three Of A Kind Boffoms Up

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SHIMUNUSEKI-INLAND SEA There are few places in the world where a ship can pass over railroad tracks but the Montrose did it three times in sailing through the Straits of Shimo- noseki, a narrow strip of water separating the is- lands of Kyushu and Honshu. Only a few hundred yards wide, the channel is a real test oi seaman- ship and shiphandling, with strong currents adding to the difficulties. A main railroad connecting the two islands runs through a long tunnel under the vvater. Steaming through Shimonoseki on three different runs prepared us tor a trip up to Kobe via the Inland Sea, which is dotted with islands, large and small, Narrow channels are the rule rather than the ex- ception. The lnland Sea runs between Honshu and Shilcoku which is known as the Riveria of Iapan, Tiny villages dot the rugged shore line. Small coves protect golden beaches, some of them crowded with people enjoying the natural beauty of their islands. Hundreds of fishing boats, most of them flying their white sails, shuttle back and forth through the green water. lt was a beautiful and pleasant trip, one which few naval ships attempt. ,..,,J1g t', l .,.,,,3 sax' li ' Lg il, 1 if - ' , M bg' o fhffff --iff . ' jj ' l 1. f l N..

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CON DUUNG TU C0 CUA BAN One of the greatest operations ever undertaken by the United States Navy was the Passage to Freedom evacuation of Vietnamese refugees from Communist domination It was a long, tough opera- tion, hot and timing, but interesting and gratifying in all respects. And always in the Passage to Preedorn was the Montrose, carrying more than her share, commended by the division commander for carry- ing the mostest fastest. We arrived in Tourane Bay, our main supply base for the operation, in mid-August, then pointed north to Henriette Pass near Haiphong where we loaded up without delay. The Vietnamese refugees, tired, hungry, frightened and discouraged, were brought to us frorn Haiphong by French landing craft. We were the second ship to get underway with a full load and when we tied up in Saigon a few days later, correspondents, newsreel and TV cameramen thranged aboard. Adniiral Stump, Coni- mander in Chief Pacirific: Fl-3:-et, rnc-t the sfiip and carrie aboard to observe the refugees: and to visit Caztain Andrew. Liberty in Sciigcjvn was ulirrt, and expensive and we headed back down the Saigon River, ready for more passengers. The pictures on these pages speak more elo- quently of the people that are carried than is possi- ble in words. A few died from malnutrition, starved before they reached us. More were born, and, in fact, the Montrose carried the birth record with seven arrivals. The families were hungry and our galley worked night and day to cook enough rice and fish to feed them, lt is a tribute to the Navy and the Montrose that the refugees left the ship, happier, stronger, and in much better condition than when they arrived. Aside from a very few short breaks in Sai- gon, liberty in lndo-China just wasn't. The long, monotonous hauls were broken, however, by swim- ining parties in Tourane and near Haiphong. And then, finally, after four trips, we passed Cape St. lacaues for the last time, picked up that wonderful inail at Tourane, and headed north to cool, cool lapan, via Hong Kong. 'We didn't even mind a few :rc--ar misses from a couple of typhoons. 1' M1 I Hands of Hunger A