USS Georgetown (AGTR 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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rwCaslelSaii ' Eliio over- all port to lie liol%s. iii Of I 6 And the Troops Sharp Our Work Done, We Hit the Beach ENS GUTHRIE presents the Supply De- partment to Captain GEBLER during a Personnel Inspection in Naples. One of the boat crews brings the Captain ' s gig alongside in preparation for liberty call. And Saw Naples A common sight in Naples are the horsedrawn carriages of a by-gone era. Mount Vesuvius.

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December Found Us in Naples, Italy As a Member of Sixth Fleet Entering the Bay ot Naples, December 21, 1967. On December 21, GEORGETOWN arrived in Naples, steaming past the Isle of Capri just as the sun rose. Another first for GEORGETOWN came in a docking maneuver known as Med Mooring, which entails anchoring as well as tying up. We took on provisions and fuel and 109 ba gs of Christmas mail! Cheered by the many cards, letters and packages from home, the crew was ready for some recreation and sightseeing in Naples. Many did some Christmas shopping; and just as in America, the shops were open later than usual to accom- modate the last minute shoppers. Decorations covered shop windows and streets alike. The usual bustling Christmas crowd was there, too; and copious vendors, hecklers and street urchins selling everything from tapestries to sub-machine guns! GEORGETOWN ' S inport period in Naples lasted five days during which time tours were organized to Naples, Pompeii and Rome. With GEORGETOWN ' S Welfare and Recreation Council providing most of the funds for the tours, we saw the ruins of ancient Pompeii and many of the historical sites and landmarks which have made Rome ' ' The Eternal City. Underway again on December 26, GEORGETOWN incurred minor engine trouble in the Straits of Messina, the area which separates Sicily and Italy. Returning to Naples the same day, we procured parts for necessary rep airs and put our engineers to work. A surprise materiel inspection by Admiral Dacey and his staff of Service Force, Sixth Fleet, netted glowing compliments for GEORGETOWN and an evaluation of ' ' outstanding. Authorized to remain in port for the remainder of the year, GEORGETOWN again organized tours. The tour itineraries were expanded this time to include not only return visits to Rome and Pompeii, but also tours of the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento and Capri. Our repairs complete, New Year ' s Eve found GEORGE- TOWN again at sea, underway for a period of technical research operations. i CHRISTMAS IN NAPLES. The Castel Sant ' Elmo over- looks ships of the Sixth Fleet in port for the holidays. We Worked To Keep The Big G Ship Shape . . . 0 tie but Q ispreparaU ' oafoi A would-be Michelangelo makes his mark on the GEORGETOWN. II

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Naples lies on the eastern coast of Italy, 120 miles south of Rome, a booming city of 1.5 million people, Naples draws chiefly on its geographical beauty, and its cultural and re- ligious heritage to make it one of Italy ' s chief tourist centers. There are many churches, museums, galleries and other points of interest in Naples proper; Mt. Vesuvius, and its twin victims Pompeii and Herculaneum, are only a few miles away. The famous Blue Grotto on the Isle of Capri is also nearby. A panorama of ancient and modern history, Naples abounds in medieval fortresses and castles - a reminder of the city ' s value as a seaport and harbor. Among its most important buildings are the Castel Nuovo, the Castel dell ' Ovo and the imposing Castel Sant ' Elmo which overlooks the city and the Bay of Naples from a hill. The cultural center of southern Italy, Naples is the home of many museums and galleries. The Royal Palace of Capidomonte houses numerous paintings by the 18th century masters and many fine porcelain pieces from the famous Capidomonte Porcelain Works. The National Archaelogical Museums contain many Roman, Greek and Etruscan art treasures as well as a large collection of artifacts from Pompeii. Perhaps one of the most noteworthy structures in Naples is the San Carlo Theater. One of the world ' s most famous opera houses, it contains six tiers of boxes and two galleries. Its elegant interior provides a splendid showcase for the many operas, ballets and concerts presented there every season. The seat of a bishopric, Naples has over 200 churches, many of which have a long distinguished history. One of the most interesting is Santa Chiara which houses the Chapel of San Gennaro (the patron saint of Naples.) Inside the chapel are two vials of the saint ' s blood, said to come to a boil twice a year. Ever a haven for artists, musicians and writers, Naples has charmed such famous people as Shelley, Von Goethe, the Scarlattis and Virgil, the Roman peot of antiquity who is buried on Mt. Posillipo. Although Naples is not without western influence, it still maintains its old world charm. The city supports many suc- cessful industries, although its chief source of income is tourist trade. k TJeMs A central Piazza on the Via Depretis. w A Neapolitan street photographer displays his work to a skeptical customer. in m n, « Coles art. Caste] Nuovo (Maschio Angioino). Built in 1279 by Charles 1 of Anjou, it has been restored recently and serves as the meeting place for the Naples City Council.