Columbia (CL 56) - Naval Cruise Book

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ern luminaries, including the Governor of South Carolina, the Commandant of the Sixth Naval District, mayors and ex-mayors of Columbia and Charleston, and two bands. The ship was presented two dozen silver goblets Ccontents not disclosedj and a magnolia wreath, and we reciprocated by presenting a battle flag. Speech-making was brought to an end with a few remarks by Captain Adell, and the playing of America concluded the ceremonies. Gradu- ally the spectators left, and favorably impressed, we hope. In spite of the fact that we felt like wet blotters most of the time, and that our living compartments had the air of an over- heated gymnasium, we enjoyed our sample of southern hospitality. And besides, think of the money we saved by not going to New York right away! . . . And then came the time to pay the piper. For two months we had been enjoying those delicious G. I. meals, and now we had to re- plenish the supplies. fYou canit just eat the shingles, you know.j Consequently, we were greeted that fateful Monday morning by five freight cars crowding the Charleston dock, and all hands turned to to bring the 93 tons of chow aboard. Even the Master At Arms force turned out to make sure that everyone was working-an unnecessary precaution, of course. What a scene of industry we presented to the Southern eyes! Long lines of men carefully avoiding the crates of potatoes and sacks of Hour nearby, and eagerly awaiting the next car- ton of Post Toasties. But when the light stuff was gone, they pitched in on the heavier goods with equal enthusiasm, even to the extent of dropping a crate or two of juicy oranges in their haste. In fact one stevedore was so hasty that he had to let go of his box three times before it finally cracked open. 'Round and 'round we went through the cycle: carry a carton aboard, rest up with a cigarette, fall back in line to get up on the dock, take a couple of glasses of lemonade while waiting for the line in front of the cars to -Q., ll .giants 'Trl' forty-three

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days fone of which we spent shooting S304-.22 worth of 20mm shells at a floating mine fsome still say that the Hydrographic Office will be bitter for yearsl and then up went the cry Sighted Mine, Sank Sameuj the rest of which were spent washing bulkheads, scraping paint, repainting, and titivating around in gen- eral, we greeted Charleston, S. C., on the first of June. Yankees suggested that quarters for coming into port be general quarters, but we managed to pass Fort Sumter and creep through the cattails and muddy water to our pier with- out incident. As usual when reaching port, thought turned to how and when we could get off the ship, and liberty call brought forth hordes of gray and white garbed men surging down the gang- plank and starting the trek to town, regardless of the 99.970 humidity. For sightseers, there was the old residential district around the Bat- tery with its ornate ironwork, the old slave market, and innumerable old churches, for sun-lovers, there was Folley Beach and the Isle of Palms g for the thirsty, there was either soda fountain products or sympathy. Primary eve- ning entertainment was dances, attended by about 100 local belles, plus an equal number of lassies imported from Columbia, along with about 100 chaperones armed with impressive forty-two muster lists. In all justice we must admit that the Southerners do not exaggerate when they describe the beauty of their womanhood. Standby liberty was not granted fit says herej, and for those who remained aboard was the not too onerous task of guiding the visiting citizenry of Charleston who swarmed aboard all three days of our stay, and trying to impress them with our salt. Beribboned seamen told them that It was Hell at Lingayen Gulf, and fuzzy-cheeked Ensigns told of the mechan- ical intricacies of rigging paravanes, conning procedure, and what the funny-looking baskets were on the masts-besides explaining to wide- eyed youngsters just how far and how fast the various guns could shoot. As always, the stock escape of 'A . . . Sorry. That's restricted in- formation. was used whenever the going got too tough. More difficult was the job of pre- venting little Rebels armed with Screwdrivers from taking souveniers, and convincing dis- charged Bosun' Mates that they really knew all about the ground tackle, but these obstacles too were met with Columbian fortitude. The next day, officially proclaimed USS COLUMBIA Day, brought forth the antici- pated oratory and the presence of many south-

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lengthen, fall in at the end, get another carton. It was rumored that this was the Hrst line not dragged by the chow line moochers. Finally all the cars were emptied, the bodies mangled during the scramble picked up, and the dock swept down. Then lunch-and after carrying aboard roasts, canned turkey, cake flour, and pineapple, how welcome was the Spam, cold beans, weak coffee and belayed liberty. A tribute from the grateful people of the City of Columbia, South Carolina, to her name- sake, the gallant Cruiser, the USS COLUMBIA, whose glorious record has brought new lustre to a proud name. This compliment to our ship was printed on the program for USS COLUMBIA Day, Charleston, S. C., 2 June 194-6. The good people of Columbia, S. C., while lauding the record of the living, did not forget our departed heroes. As a token of their re- forty-four rnembrance, the citizens of Columbia presented a wreath of magnolia leaves and Howers, fit- tingly decorated with a patriotic ribbon, which they requested to be placed upon the broad waters of the Atlantic. This ceremony was conducted on the fore- castle of the Gem,' at 1500 on 5 June 1946. Father Thomas H. Bodie, the ship's chaplain, opened the ceremony by conducting the stu- dent oflicers in the singing of the Navy Hymn, Eternal Father Strong to Save, and then he delivered a brief address. After a few appro- priate words, Captain B. B. Adell, USN, placed the wreath on the waters. The guard of honor Hred three volleys in concluding the ceremony. The significance of this and similar events held aboard the USS COLUMBIA, should make us all realize that death is not the end, and death is not to remain a sorrowful memory. The man who has a true spiritual perspective will readily grasp the note of expectancy in the following poem by Samuel Johnson: Catch, then, oh catch the transient hour: Improve each moment as it flies! Life's a short summer, man a flower 3 He dies-alas! How soon he dies.