Cascade (AD 16) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 13 text:

TRIP OVER THAT ' S A SHOT IN THE ARM OO-AH-OO-AH-OO! SMOOTH It was a cold day in June when the CASCADE pulled away from Mike 12 . We had a DD and DE escort out of the harbor but none were to accompany us on our long journey. For the most part it was a calm voyage, aside from three rough days that gave many boots their first taste of seasickness and reminded many salts that they too were allergic to this psychological malady . The first day out was the beginning of the many hours of letter writing, card playing and reading to shorten the days. Movies weren ' t always better then ever , but you couldn ' t prove it by the attendance. There were still many hours of hard work aheGd before we were to welcome the Flag aboard. The deck force for instance was still fighting its Battle of the Rust and the shipfitters were preparing office space for SERVFORSIXTHFLT. Just to make sure we knew the purpose of this cruise we held drills and more drills. Highlights of the crossing of course were the Happy Hour and the Smoker . The Happy Hour was held just about half way across, after six days at sea. All hands that could, attended. The CASCADE band, consisting of HURLBURT, piano; DIAS, bass; COOPER, drums; SMITH, sax and MONTELEONE, guitar; opened the show with a few numbers in the Shearing Style. They were followed by the ship ' s quartette (a trio that night) JETT, CRINAGE and GERMAN — the second tenor was on watch. The Finale — our Hillbilly Three, (Dominque, guitar; Salard, fiddle, Eravi, guitar.) The smoker, held Thursday, 21 June, was the debut for the boxing team, soon to prove the Scourge of the Sixth Fleet . The deck had the largest representation with Vallot, Oakes, Grinnage and Whitaker. The other participants were Ludwick, DelGado, Velez Feliciano and Dunnaway, our able Golden Glover. All the events were well matched and well received. The next thing we knew — CANNES. SHAKE WELL AND MIX DUN IS ON THE WAY

Page 12 text:

PREPARATION OH, BROTHER! OOPS! STROKE— STROKE In May and June of 1956 at Melville Fuel Docks, the CASCADE was going through a very hectic period; outfitting for a Mediterranean cruise. Heavily laden trailer trucks advanced on the ship and our working p arties strained to keep up with their charge. Fuel lines, to the ship, were strung along the pier, making a junior obstacle course for these mammoth vehicles and their cracker jack drivers, but no mishaps were recorded. This general area was the scene of much bustling activity and was an impressive sight. When a destroyer tender sets out on a 5 month overseas cruise, she must accomplish a mountainous task of outfitting and preparing and the brunt of this problem, in most cases, falls to the supply group. Every depart- ment is involved, however; but the terrific amount of supplies that have to be received and stowed is a gigantic operation. To acquire a full shipload of A to Z material takes many hours cf hard labor and planning, and the sailing date deadline approaches quite rapidly with this problem pressing for completion. Our sailing date was June 1 1. The Medical Department got their point across, and more than once. Of course shots are a necessary evil, and were for our benefit anyway, even though we were a little doubtful about the possibility of getting that many diseases. Along with the continual painting and maintenance of weather decks, the deck department also had the job of cargo handling and deck space planning for the 6th Fleet vehicles and boats to come. There were boats to be taken aboard, lashing down to be done, and other duties too numerous to mention. With Destroyer availabilities our of the way, the difficult job of revising and expanding office space was the responsibility of the repair gang Mr. Cherchi ' s crew took on this job and had a major portion completed before hitting the high-seas, finishing up the balance underway. The final week called for a last ditch effort and a longer working day to accomplish the feat of loading up. Lighting on the pier was supplemented by our own flood lighting and the work carried on until the wee hours. There were many tired men during these days but they did a marvelous job and the co-operation was remarkable. Dispatches came thick and fast, last minute odds and ends were being wrapped up, department heads got together, ,ne ball was rolling and didn ' t stop. With all this going on, the scuttlebutt started, which is the usual case. Rumor chains had us going anywhere from China to the moon, but as everyone knows the original schedule was maintained (with some excep- tion) and Monday morning June 11th, the U.S.S. CASCADE moved out of Newport harbor, complete and ready for her duty as 6th Fleet Destroyer Tender.

Page 14 text:

- l HERE WE ARE! ARRIVAL Saturday morning June 23rd was the end of our 12 day sea voyage. On the way over, one of our shipmates (Don Foit) had a serious fall to the bottom of the ship and was taken off at the Azores for further transfer to the states. Shortly before coming In to sight of Cannes Harbor, Captain Robertson announced that a dispatch was received stating that Don was out of danger and on the road to recovery. With this heartening news we rounded into sight of Cannes. It was a beautiful sunlit day, which played up the dazzling white beach and the Maritime Alps. The TIDEWATER, nestled in off to the side in a little cove, was waiting patiently for our arrival. After a wide sweep we slowly eased shoreward, and after what seemed a long time, finally sided in and tied up to her. Greeting signs adorned the side of both ships and in a very short time old friends found each other amidst all the excitement and hullabaloo, and exchanged warm greetings across ships. Many questions were fired back and forth until the brow was finally set in place and the transfer officially began. WE ' RE GETTING OUR SIGNS READY