Charles S Sperry (DD 697) - Naval Cruise Book

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Our first port — after leoving the states — was not the most desirable one but after our journey across was a welcome re- lief. Oron, chief port of western Algeria, and the neorby port of Mers-el- Kebir were important during the African cam- paign of World Wor II, serving as advanced bases Chiefly French and Aro- bion, the French are in the majority although there is strong Arobian influence throughout the section. Not far from Oron is Sidlbel-Abbes, famed home of the French For- eign Legion. A tour by port of the ship ' s com- pony was thoroughly en- joyed and something t o be remembered. Street urchins were plentiful and losing one ' s watch, wal- let or pen was not un- common, taking place in the daytime as well as at night. aK '

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ORAN. ALGERIA It was a bright but slightly chilly morning on April 24, 1953, when the bosun ' s pipe shrilled and the words echoed throughout the ship, Set the Special Sea Detail. This was the morning we had been preparing for, lost minute touch-ups, provisioning and departure inspections. We were underway for the Med and hopefully wishing we would draw the Northern European assignment for the later part of our cruise. As the lost line was over and we were gracefully backing away from the pier we took our last look of the nearly deserted CE piers which we wouldn ' t see for nearly six months. For two doys we went through com- b ined operations with the ships we were to operate with for the next six months. With two carriers and approximately twenty destroyers we made quite formidable looking task force. It wasn ' t to be all work nor all play, we had our share of both in the next few days to come. Underway fueling, sometimes in the daytime, sometimes in the middle of the night, but we took it in our stride. All part of the job we had to do. Misfortune was soon to strike our happy convoy, during one of the exercises on on extremely rough doy about half way across the big drink we were to lose one of our shipmates from our sister destroyer, the USS HUNTINGTON. Two weeks after leaving Norfolk, we were to see our first glimpse of land. The shore of Africa, then we entered the Straits of Gibraltar and welcome to the Mediterranean. The land of enchantment, intrigue, azure blue water and sky, warm winds and our European neighbors. We were port of the SIXTH FLEET, goodwill ambassadors for the United States. Proud to be able to carry our port of the Navy ' s mission and uphold her traditions.

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CAGLIARI. SARDINIA Pizza-pie, spaghetti, red wine — These awaited us as we anchored in the bay of Cagliari. A main port on the southwestern shore of the island of Sordino, it is a typical small Italian town. Our visit preceded the notional elections and political posters were to be seen everywhere, whole sides of buildings, telegraph poles, even painted on the sidewalks. Recreational facili- ties in town were very limited, but a ball park was provided and ball games seemed the order of the day. Fishing seemed to be the main occupation of the populace. Everywhere one found beau- tiful cathedrals and ruins of the Roman Empire. Also located there was one of the Italian Naval bases.