Washburn (AKA 108) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 50 text:

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1 .,,, , ,Q gnu? .. f- -i -. ... 7 s ' 'Q ' 1 -J' iii --- ,ia-.f 1 0 ' 'Fi x .ali V . s 'fm 1 ,lf , A I . I ' .. jg j A i 'Q i I r ,,...w , . I 4 ,sl f ff' l -wwf' .fit :K Q ws. Biff 4 .1 ,Az X,-,,:' WV x ' -4 Q During our Australian visit, which came to an end too soon, much of our time was devoted to Coral Sea ceremonies and func- tions. We held on board visiting hours every day and nearly l0,000 people came to see our ship. We an if LA ls- I0 xx It . ,4 '5f,l'gk KN4-'i 'L-wits. s-1' fx Q lf' f 6 s ' N. fre, sf-1 X-fr.,.. W QB gg -s A . it 'L..,v, A were very busy entertaining guests and keeping the ship in presentable condition. We all managed to find some time to see the sights, take pictures and do some shopping. Best of all we enjoyed the warm hospitality of the wonderful Australian people. At the conclusion of our visit we had to say farewell but many of us wished we could have stay- ed longer. We shall long re- member Australia and the two fabulous cities-Brisbane and Sydney.

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,Jn vi Sf477Z0f-YW 75.46432 pd? was our very last port of call, a small but scenic harbor village on the Southern Pacific island of Tutuila. This island is one of seven islands that makes up American Samoa. They are situated at the eastern end of the Samoan group, a chain of small islands 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii. Pago Pago is the capital of American Samoa and was once a U. S. Navy coaling station. lt was acquired by commercial treaty with the native king in 1872. The seven islands became a possession of the United States by virtue of a convention with Great Britian and Germany in 1899. Today the native inhabitants, which are of Polynesian extraction, are Nationals of the United States. Tutuila is a very primitive, tropical island and is extremely green because of its abundant lush vegatation. The chief products and exports of the island are fish, handicrafts and tropical fruits. Our visit was in connection with Armed Forces Day and this was the first time it was . We arrived at Pago Pago on 16 May 1962 and unfortunately in the middle of a rain storm. However this didn't seem to affect the native's desires to give us ci . About 200 school children and adults were assembled on the pier in their very colorful native dress. As we came alongside the pier they sang songs to us in celebrated in Samoa most welcome reception their native tongue. We agreed that this reception was the biggest and nicest we had ever witnessed during the entire cruise. Soon after our arrival we provided three squads of infantry under arms to participate in a parade with thirty Samoan police and many native Samoans. The parade ended in the village center with an AVA drinking ceremony where Captain Reilly was the guest of honor. That afternoon we held visiting hours and 2,720 persons came to see our ship. They were mostly school children and nearly all bearfooted. While one duty section was entertaining guests on board, others of us were being entertained by the natives on the beach. A bus tour around the island ended at the beautiful Chief Faivae's Village along the coast. Here we were given a special performance by men and women who sang and danced for us. After the show we tried some of their coconut juice and they shared some of our beer. lt was in- teresting to talk to them and to learn something about their ways of life. That evening we spent a few hours in town where we were able to purchase some sou- verniers. Our twelve hour visit soon came to an end however as we departed Pago Pago the same evenimg. Our next and best destination yet was San Diego, California. ....ann':..? fm M74 1 Mun- 4 ' C 'IQ' ' , .,. 'A' Bk' ,,.' gf' 4 Z: -f is 2, is J-4 shi. S xii af ' 4- , i ,JV-V