Mount Vernon (AP 22) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 60 text:

Nature hid the stern mountains of the FIJI ISLANDS under a lush blanket of undergrowth and jungle. Surrounding the shore line were long treach- erous coral reefs requiring expert navigation of inconning ships. Here, the crew of the Mount Vernon found an Army bivouac, a Naval Supply Base, and a hospital — but no city. A few native huts were scat- tered about; a few Army tents dotted the area; several storehouses in- dicated some form of activity. Taking of photographs was permitted. Suddenly, many cameras ap- peared that had not been seen before. Everyone tried to get his picture standing with the Fuzzy-Wuzzy policemen. Wearing dark shirts and pure white scalloped lava lavas, the barefoot police created a sensation. Patients evacuated from the advance battle areas to the Fiji hospital were transferred aboard.

Page 59 text:

Advertisements call the Hawaiian Islands the Paradise of the Pacific, and the crew watched with eagerness the dinn gray blur on the horizon change into colorful mountains of Oahu. Famed Diamond Head excited comments. The sweep of Waikiki Beach, the Royal Hawaiian hotel, the shops and the residences shifted into view as the ship moved on toward Pearl Harbor. Already past the Punch Bowl, the ship suddenly received the word, Dock in Honolulu. The usual greeting of Aloha was missing. There were no bands to play, no leis were offered for sale. The business section of the city was attractive. The buildings were a varied architectural style, but all were planned to keep interiors cool. Leaving the immediate business section, the change to poverty was so abrupt that it was shocking. The oriental section was even more shabby. Farther out toward Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, the mecca of wealthy tourists, contained more elaborate homes and shops. In the transition area there were shops catering to sailors filled with cheap souvenirs. They were packed with crowds that did not purchase. Disgusted, the owners barked their wares as the crowds looked bored and walked on into the streets. At Waikiki Beach, everyone was disappointed in what was one of the famous beaches in the world. To keep from cutting their feet on the coral washed up on the beach it was necessary for the swimmers to wear sandals. However, the men had their pictures taken there in order to have the background of Diamond Head. In the shops along the beach road and on the streets the women wore red or white hibiscus behind their ears and in their hair. Ration- ing was unheard of in the islands — except for whiskey. The Royal Hawaiian hotel, having been turned over to the Navy, was enjoyed by the men. The tropical setting of the gardens, badminton and tennis courts made playing more enjoyable. Near the Y.M.C.A. busses were loaded for the Pali pass and the other side of the island. Up a winding road past palatial mansions, by the Hawaiian Water Reservoir, by the upside down water fall, through a jungle, the bus suddenly came to an opening at the top of the knife- like ridge that bisected the island. The earth seemed to drop away. Several hundred feet below, the floor of the valley stretched out to accommodate cane fields, papaya groves, and banana plantations. Hairpin curves took the bus down through the valley and to the beach. The Beach USO provided a recreation center with dressing room facili- ties. The surf was ideal for all types of water sports; shoes were not necessary. The beach floor was smooth and level. Pearl Harbor, a large bay with many coves, was filled with activity as ships were repaired, refueled, fitted out, and countless other tasks were completed necessary for keeping the vessels at sea. Remnants of the Jap attack were still visible.

Page 61 text:

The facilities for care of the pa- tients were comparable to any hos- pital ship ' s. Under the direction of Dr. Taber, the medical department had been organized. Under Dr. Jostes ' direction, it had been en- larged and improved. A new oper- ating room had replaced the board- on-bathtub apparatus formerly in use. From Fiji to San Francisco, these patients had uninterrupted medical care.