Mount Vernon (AP 22) - Naval Cruise Book

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Table Mountain, eternal guardian of the city clinnbing at its feet. Cloud formations spread cloth-like over the top because of the constant wind. Devil ' s Peak, beside Table Mountain, was the Townspeople ' s point of vantage for the convoy entering the harbor. The Capetowners took the deluge of soldiers and sailors in their stride, providing transportation and tours. The cars followed a route through the gardened city, around Devil ' s Peak, Into the Cecil Rhodes estate, down the valley through Rondebush and Wyndcoup to the Dutch settle- ment. Whitewashed houses with thatched roofs lined the road to Ker- stenbosh, the wild flower preserve. More exciting, perhaps, was surf- boarding at the beach at Musenberg with its nine miles of white sanded beach. Supplies were received aboard labeled H.M.S. Mount Vermin . With regret, the convoy left Cape Town, rounded the Cape of Good Hope and sailed Into the Indian Ocean. Where next? The scuttlebutt said, Bombay . And Bombay It was — for all the convoy except the Mount Vernon . British Naval passengers aboard were transferred at sea to the British escort. The M.V. turned about. Christmas in the tropics was new to the men. Their memories of the day had included snow and lighted trees, holly and the snapping of logs

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