Passumpsic (AO 107) - Naval Cruise Book

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WESPAC CRUISE HISTORY The WESPAC Cruise began this year on II February, after a four month yard period, two weeks of refresher training, and a successful and at one point, highly exciting, Dependents Cruise. Steaming seven days and looking at the green faces of numerous sailors, we arrived in Pearl Harbor on 18 February. A tour of the Islands was provided by the PASSUMPSIC and was enjoyed by all who attended. Comments made by those who visited Waikiki Beach seemed to indicate that it lived up to its reputation. Departing the warm shores of Hawaii on 21 February, we arrived Sasebo Japan on 6 March wearing long underwear and peacoats. Fourteen days after our arrival in Sasebo, highlighted by a tour of Nagasaki, we headed for Korea where we assisted the Korean Navy in their underway training. Steaming south from Korea we had unreps with the Ranger and several destroyers before arriving in Yokosuka. Here the tour of Tokyo, the best of the cruise, was a tremendous success. We steamed south again to Sasebo arriving there April 7th and departing six days later for more unreps. The next three weeks were spent steaming in and out of Subic Bay dur- ing the hottest and driest period of the year in the Philippines. The tour to Manila provided a glimpse of both the rural and urban life of the natives. Gladly departing Subic Bay for the last time we headed north anxiously anticipating our arrival in Hong Kong May 26th. Interesting tours of Hong Kong Island were provided every day in which crew members participated actively. The Tiger Balm Gardens and Aberdeen, with lunch at one of its fioating restaurants, were highlights of the tour and a ride on the Peak Tram gave breathtaking views day or night. A few of the tangible items purchased here were tailor made clothes, jade, wrist watches, and silk. In order to alleviate the water shortage, the crew of the PASSUMPSIC donated 50,000 gallons of water to the city, and obligated themselves to drink other beverages while on the beach. Hong Kong was by far the best liberty port that we visited on the entire cruise. . Heading north for the last time we arrived in Sasebo, Japan on 6 June, and departed four days later enroute for Yokosuka with unreps along the way. A brief three days were spent in Yokosuka at which time we headed out to sea again to unrep the Ticonderoga for the last time. On 30 June we arrived in Yokosuka for fourteen days of tender availa- bility before steaming home on the last leg of our cruise. The time in port dragged slowly by for an anxious crew but our departure date finally arrived and we were homeward bound at last.

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WESPAC CRUISE PORTS OF CALL 1963 PEARL HARBUR, HAWAII 18-21 FEBRUARY SASEEU, JAPAN 6-19 MARCH 7 -13 APRIL 6-10 JUNE YOKOSUKA, JAPAN 26 MARCH 1-5 APRIL 21-24 JUNE 30 JUNE 16 JULY SURIC RAY, Rl. 23-24 APRIL 29 APRIL-5 MAY 14-22 MAY ' HONG KONG 26 MAY-2 JUNE

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