Mount Vernon (AP 22) - Naval Cruise Book

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nafion, and on our course fo Fremanfle. Baffle condifion Two was sef, and all hands arrived in porf complefely worn ouf. Half fhe crew wenf ashore in Fremanfle, fhe porf of Perfh. The froops debarlced in Adelaide. None of fhe crew were allowed off fhe ship, buf wifh a railroad Kiosk nearby, everyone agreed fhaf Ausfralian ice cream was nearesf fo fhe Sfafeside confecfion. Survivors from fhe Philippines and from American ships sunk in fhe Macassar Sfraifs Baffle came aboard. Such a mixfure of uniforms as fhe survivors and refugees wore had never before been seen! A U. S. Navy Capfain in his blue uniform coaf, army panfs, Aussie shirf and yellow high-fop shoes was a fypical example. A number of civilians were broughf aboard as well as Naval survivors. Among fhem was Mrs. E. E. Sayre, wife of fhe Philippine High Com- missioner. lf was fhe firsf fime in her Navy career fhaf fhe ship car- ried woman passengers. Capfain Cook firsf sef foof on New Zealand in Wellingfon, and while ifs climafe is one of fhe healfhiesf in fhe world, when fhe ship arrived fhere fhe crew was much more excifed in fhe recepfion given by fhe fownspeople. Everyone was welcome! The Moun'r Vernon was fhe firsf American vessel in fhe porf since war had been declared, and fhe ' X 'www ,.. .WMM-.a.,fN, i , vM.s,,.,Xw fs , V4:,lh, 'Ww .. ks G Z ,F M... . s 9 v r 'l lu-.69

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chases. Each one made a beffer bargain fhan fhe resf. By fhis fime all hands were seasoned in fhe arf of frade and seffled down fo sensible bargaining. Tours were made by riclcshaw along fhe Cinnamon scenfed byways. A sfop was necessary af fhe Buddhisf Temple, where boys were waifing fo remove fhe visifors shoes-for a fip-and fo offer for sale such fhings as Sanslcrif fexfs on palm leaf scrolls, and, of course, fhe giff for fhe priesf. The officers were pleased wifh fhe recepfion af fhe Galle Face Hofel on fhe sea' walk. The enlisfed men fool: over fhe Crienfal Hofel. Af firsf fhe Aussies, foo, had liberfy, buf due fo fheir failure fo reporf baclt fo fhe ship, fhey received orders fo remain aboard. lf was fheir firsf fime off in fwo or fhree years, buf some of 'rhe fown had fo be lcepf infacf. Shorfage of fresh wafer broughf abouf fhe securing of fhe shower wafer, even fhough fhe weafher was insufferably hof. Lafe one nighf a rainsform came, and crew, officers, and passengers alike sfripped and wenf on declc fo wash down in fhe rain. Loaded wifh fea, jewelry. and souvenirs, fhe ship gof under way fOr Ausfralia. A few days ouf of porf fhe ship's radio infercepfed a disfress call from a supply ship pursued by enemy subs, headed for our desfi-

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