Mount Vernon (AP 22) - Naval Cruise Book

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ff! 4, .,l'f Expecfing fhe worsf, buf excifed by fhe spirif of advenfure, fhe farm- ers, lumberiacks, and office workers of California, Michigan, and Mis- souri became fhe ship's crew. Wifh chow down fhaf evening, fhe ship sailed, bound for Panama and fhe Canal. During fhe days 'rhaf followed, fhe men could noi' be- lieve fhey were nof dreaming. They were supposed fo be fighfing men, swab iockeys or engineers: 'rhey were, in realify, passengers on a cruise. The merchanf crew operafed fhe ship: 'rhe Navy men familiarized fhem- selves wifh +he decks. Working parfies were formed fo acquainf 'rhe men wifh The Navy Me+hod . The long lasfing feud befween fhe Reg- ulars and fhe Feafher Merchanfs sfarfed. The men worked hard af sleep- ing in deck chairs or sun bafhing beside fhe oufdoor pool. Everyone was up early af 'rhe arrival af fhe Canal. All cameras were confiscafed and all work was sfopped af fhe enfrance. A good close up of fhe Tropics was an answer 'ro fhe yen of all would be Tarzans. Befs were made on 'rhe sfrengfh of fhe elecfric mules which pulled fhe ship fhrough 'rhe locks. The 'rremendous engineering feaf of fhe cufs im- pressed fhe men. A consfanf lookouf was kepf for alligafors fhaf were supposed fo inhabif fhe lakes, buf none was seen. The nexf few days provided disfanf views of fhe islands of fhe Carib- ' f bean. The paffern of life began fo change wifh fhe inaugurahon o personnel and bag inspecfions.