Mount Vernon (AP 22) - Naval Cruise Book

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Up on the signal bridge the signal men of the ship kept visual connmunications going in all kinds of weather, and under all conditions. Like the rest of the divi- sions, the gang had been a green bunch at commissioning, but under the instruc- tion of Jack Red Alden, approximately fifteen men advanced in rates during the years aboard. In addition to the con- stant blinking with escorting vessels and with shore stations of ports throughout the world, the coffee and hot plates of the signal bridge furnished ample excuse for the exchange of sea stories — for

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which the signal men became famous. One was the story of the famous mes- sage of the Mount Vernon to the shore station at Gibraltar. What ship? , asked the shore station. Queen Mary — What rock Is that? , was the reply. The ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, domi- neering and seemingly unapproachable had towere d above the ship as she had passed through the Straits on previous occasions. How hard and how domineer- ing would the Rock be to visitors? — To Americans? Gibraltar welcomed the ship and her men as they had never expected to be greeted, warmly. They opened re- stricted and secret areas of the Rock for exploration. The galleries, the honey- comb of tunnels, the Moorish castle, the monkeys were shown in detail. British troops billeted on the Rock dis- played their good humor, too. Their Army personnel presented a variety show and concert for the M.V. ' s crew on the Arena. The ship ' s company arranged an evening ' s supper in return. The River Clyde and the shipping in- dustry combine to make GLASGOW, SCOTLAND the most important seaport of that country. Her proximity to Loch Lomond and Edinburgh made her more important In the eyes of the Mount Ver- non ' s globe travelling crew. Fortunate were those who traveled by yon bonnie banks ... of Loch Lomond . Liquid green of the hillsides flowed Into the true blue of the water. The music of Bobby Burns ' lyrics and the adventure of Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson rose from the land round about. EDINBURGH was historical seat of the Kings of Scotland and traditional summer home of the Kings of England. High above the city broods the castle of Robert Bruce, scene of tragedy and triumph. Among the castle ' s famous prisoners was Mary, Queen of Scots, pretender to the crown of England. Although she died, later, in the Tower of London, her son, James VI lived to reign as James I of England. Each year, the reigning King of Eng- land walks the Royal mile from the castle to Holyrood Palace as a proof of his rule over Scotland. The street passes St. Jlles church, scene of intrig ues, and John Knox ' s house, birthplace of the Presbyter- ian church.