Waldron (DD 699) - Naval Cruise Book

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LA QPEZIA. ITALY Commemorative War Statue in a Local Park The Fishing Wharfs Along the Waterfront La Spezia, Italy, was the location of our second tender period in the Med. La Spezia, is located on the Northwestern side of 'the boot' of Italy. lt was during this ten day tender period, that much needed work on the WALDRON was accomplished. The tender period wasn't all work and no play for the crew however, for there were many excellent beaches near La Spezia. Baia Blu Beach is one of the beaches near La Spezia that will long be in the memories of the WALDRON Crew. Baia Blu Beach, was the beach where practically all the ship's divisions held their di- vision parties. This was our first opportunity to go ashore with all of our fellow division workers and our Division Officer for an afternoon of swimming and sunbathing, topped off with 'Good Old American Beer,' pur- chased from the tender. Aside from the beach parties, several tours were available, in- cluding another three day tour to Rome, offering to those who went, a Papal Audience, and one day tours to Florence, Genoa, Portovenere, and nearby Pisa, where the world famous historical Leaning Tower of Pisa is located. La Spezia, in addition to its fine beaches, also availed to us fine soft- ball diamonds and basketball courts. Teams from the WALDRON partici- pated in these sports, against teams from the other destroyers and a local Italian team. Many of us visited the U.S. Army Base of Camp Darby located near La Spezia. pg? if i iii' i, a JI 'K' T! . A., to 5, c c fn- -'P'Z 'T T ff'M9F'x ii. ,i X T A E x is X -rr -- ,.- x -1 KJ i. i e, ,, 4, 4-, f fl .sf V i fi ,W ----X - W - l NA p, . .V lp u F ir . H if L 'E N 7 I Q fi -Xi .l ps' fi . f---..-.......i. .. .... ..t...,. ,.., , ...Ni X 1 Bastreri Square--P0 t r ovenere The Famous Leaning Tower of Pisa

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Q 1... ..,,,,. CARTAGENA. SPAIN The View Towards the Naval Base t S S , .y up 5 f.-1M-. ' , , ppm. jf A--sCbl.Ep1w . K' g ' '97 -lisa gf I - r Q' ' N2 H-Ng 'f M .g i sf-A . rf My Q A -eic:s::.'QQ7'3?v Q' ' S I ,L , , , N . , . , ' -a J A ,. I ' .21-li- 1' ' ' ' ' 4 s 4 N Q A - ' 5. ' XM , 3 'lilf' Q . an .. -if-,a 0, V' Q i ffti. -h i Q48 ,, ., ' ff To H..-'Y A S - 5-My ,hz 3 z J-'fir' -1- - ci an 2- - d,l,,,,,-w. K - V-sehr:-Lit.:-gbhf W al M.. . Spanish Vessel Moored Next to Us Cartagena is a Spanish city of about 50,000 inhabitants. Though being rather small in comparison to some of our earlier ports of call it was found to be the location for Spain's largest Naval base. Gur berth alongside the pier was about one hundred feet from the local yacht club and within five minutes we could easily walk to the center of town. Cartagena was the sight of our first ship's party. It was held on two nights, giving both liberty sections an opportunity to attend. Once again the WALDRON's Wild Western and Folk Style band came out of hiding much to everyone's en- joyment, and provided the entertain- ment on both evenings. lt was in the city that we were able to witness our first bullfight here also. This was quite a show. The matadors were quite young and each of them got tossed at least once. Cheering for the underdog in this sport is quite unpopular, es- pecially in Spain where the bull is usually the underdog. So those who normally would have cheered him on sat back to take it all in rather passively, but all were entertained-- except the bulls. On one evening while in port, the wardroom entertained civilian dignitaries and officers from the Naval base and their families, in the form of a buffet supper on the fore- castle. Our visit in Cartagena was very pleasant. The Bay View Overlooking the Fleet Landing 36 A Plaza Nearby Our Berth