Catamount (LSD 17) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHIGASAKI Slowly the stern began to ease furthur into the water, the tailgate ominously began to open, and three tank-loaded LCU ' s slid forth into the darkness of early morning and shot to the beach, Chigasaki beach, to wreck simulated death to a simulated enemy. The cranes pivoted around, were hooked to the small LCVP ' s resting expectantly in their skids, and finally lowered them into the water to go forward into the black of D-Da)- morning and wreck more simulated havoc. For this was a landing exercise, the first of the cruise. Chigasaki beach was the objective. The ship had gone there by way of Iwakuni, Yokosuka, and Numazu. After steaming in formation to the approach area, the Catamount discharged her LCU ' s and LCVP ' s and waited two days off the beach, acting as a l)o;it haven f or damaged landing craft and as a hospital ship for simulated casulties. Finally the tank crews climbed back into their tanks, the tanks rolled back into the LCU ' s, and the LC:U ' s floated back into the LSD. The sterngate was closed, the ship ' s waterline was again made visible aft, and the mission was accomplished. 26

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A Pusan Mamacan and cffaprirgsan A Paengyong Do pipe s-no ' ter Too rear the parallel lor a smile - 25 -

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CHRISTMAS IN YOKOSUKA And so the Clataniount prepared herself fur the ordeal of speiuliiig her fourth consecutive Ciliristinas in tlie I ' ar Kast. This was the hardest part of siii h an operation schedule. But the city of Vokosuka was ready for the festivities. The en was due to flow heavily, to be sure, f(jr it was the time of llic year wluii all the ships that would ht into ' ( kosuka harbor would he there. The red, green, and white lights that sprinkle the liarbor the year around began to have the compa ny of the other colors of the Christmas rainbow. Stars began to appear atop masts and radar antennas. Accommodation ladders were brightly decorated and Christmas trees were soon a part of the cargo of LCVP ' s rcturninng to their ships. Ashore, Yooltidc Grctings , Mery Xmcs , and large replicas of Santa Clausc-sans blurted forth from the stores and taverns of the city. There was a Christmas tree in every ]:)ar. Japanese musicians were staying up late at night to lean Jingle Bells and White Christmas . Christmas shopping had been dispensed with by the 15th of November because of the mailing problem that time of the year, but packages were arriving regularly and in great lots from the States. Most of them reached the ship before the big day. Many went ashore to celebrate, others attended church services ashore or on the ship. Attendance was high at the ship ' s C:hristmas eve party in the port mess hall, . rrived Christmas day, holiday routine, quiet throughout the ship. . cw Year ' s eve was a difl ' ereiit story. Japan ' s New Year ' s Day is a Christmas, New Year, and birthday celebration all in one and it lasts three consecutive days. Shops that one would have thought never ceased ojjeration were closed U|) tight. The conventional garb of the modern Japanese was discarded for the glowing colors of their traditional apparel. But a high wind on New Year ' s eve, reaching 52 knots earh in the evening, blew celebrations to the fourwinds. A few of the crew had managed to take advantage of the 1300 liberty, but most were confronted •ith a night on l)oard when at IGOO all boat rims were cancelled - small craft warning. A foc ' sle watch was posted and the ship was ballasted to take in the Fleet Act ' s LCM to prevent it from beating itself to death on the port quarter. The last hours of 1953 crept by and finally every seachlight in the harbor was turned on, whistles and sirens were sounded. Wry pistols were shot off, Happy New Year was even flashed against the star- lit sky in morse code. .Ashore, the fireworks of the Japanese could be seen gyrating into the heavens. It was midnight. Emotionally, if not chronologically, the cruise was half over. The traditional kimono worn if at no other time, during the Japanese New Year ' s celebration. — 27