Mount Vernon (AP 22) - Naval Cruise Book

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paint job of the Navy Yard painters took place. Arnned with spray guns, they came aboard and painted. Not only the ship was greyed. Anything in their way, whether a coat hanging on the bulkhead or a pile of crates, was painted. As those articles were removed in the future, their outlines remained. The ship was finally ready for her first big ad- venture. Out to sea, again, the ship left for New York City. The first load of troops boarded. The ship joined a huge armada for invasion maneuvers off the coast of New River, North Carolina. What followed was a month of hell. The West Point , Wakefield , and Mount Vernon were tested for their effectiveness as invasion transports. Hours, stretch- ing Into weeks, were spent shuttling troops from ship to shore. Boat crews worked ceaselessly, coming aboard every 36 or 40 hours to fall exhausted in their bunks, only to be sent out again. Fresh water was at a premium. Salt water was put through the showers; fresh water was rationed for drinking. Tired, sun blistered, and disgusted, the ship returned to New York in late August to debark troops. After a lay over In Hampton Roads, the ship proceeded to Boston. While the crew Investigated the city, gun emplacements were Installed aboard the Mount Vernon .