Abbot (DD 628) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 Approach to Suez We anchored at Port Said while waiting for the forma- tion of a southbound convoy through the Suez Canal. The desert lined canal had aroused everyone ' s interest. The waterway is 10.5 miles long and runs through three lakes. It was built in eleven years and opened to traffic in 1869 at a cost of 41 million dollars. h THEPORTSAIO ENCINEERINC WORKS 45

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;t » Leaving Napoli. we passed the volcanic island of Stromboli. Seeing the lava floes passing down the mountain and to each side of the small fishing village was most interest- ing. We then transited the Straits of Mes- sina. The evening passage through this tiny waterway was one which kept the watchful eyes of the men in CIC and on the bridge ever alert. We were nuu in the Easlcni Mediter- tanean. Here we refueled from the USS Missenewa and conducted coiniK-titive gun- nery drills. On 16 Oct. we became the Divi- sion Flagship when ComDesDiv 202. Capt A. G. BaVton, USN. shifted his flag from the USS McGowan. Also riding the USS Abbot for the remainder of the cruise were Lt Harrison. USN (MC). and Ltjg Prather. Staff Operations Officer. Ml. Vesuvius iivcrlooks Hay of Naples 44

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At the southern end of the Suez Canal lies Port Suez where all ships clash into the Red Sea. During the canal transit the speed of advance is limited to eight or nine knots. Though it was mid-October sunbathing became the order of the day, and sleeping topside in the calm Red Sea was commonplace.