Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 88 text:

TURKEY Narrow Street Grand Bazaar he skyline of Istanbul, Turkey, where we ar- rived on 14 November 1952. was different than that of any other port we had visited previously. The many Moslem churches, called mosques, with their flnger-IIke minarets reaching skyward made It a city In wide contrast with those we d seen in the western part of the Med. Anchored in the Bosphorous as she was, the ship enjoyed the unique position of having a different continent on each side. Off the port side was Europe while Asia was less than a mile to starboard. The swift current in the Bosphorous makes boating rather difficult. Skillful work by the boat crews, however, prevented any serious injury or damage during our stay there. Cultural and educational center of Turkey. Istanbul ' s influence over the course of human affairs is rivaled only by Athens. Rome, and Jerusalem. Roman law, Greek literature and the theology of the Christian church are closely associated with its history. An amazing piece of architecture is the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, better known as the Blue Mosque. famous for its beautiful blue tiles and six minarets, it was built between 1609-1616, a time when the only mosque with six minarets was at Mecca. Sultan Ahmet silenced the objections to his sixth minaret by ordering a seventh for Mecca and keeping the sixth at his own mosque. Legend says the sultan was so impatient to see it completed that he came every Friday and worked in the midst of his laborers. The modernization of Turkey was started by the Young Turks in 1908 when they forced the grant of a constitution. Sultan Abdul hiamid was de- posed the following year. After the foreign military occupation of Turkey during WWI ended, the Turks under Ataturk cleared the country of its enemies and assured its complete independence with the treaty of Lausanne, July 1923. The Republic was proclaimed in October. The Sultana te and Caliphate were abolished and all members of the Ottoman Imperial Family left the country. The authorities of the new Republic, under the guidance of a surpassing genius, have brought about a surprising evolution in the outlook, morals and customs of a great Asiatic nation now enrolled, with deliberation and without reserve, in the family of world states.

Page 87 text:

AUGUSTA BAY, SICILY

Page 89 text:

We ' ll remember with pleasure the excellent USO canteen In Istanbul which was staffed by cooperative American men and women living in the city. A touring USO troupe entertained during our visit there and were helped out each night by the able Sixth Fleet dance band. Several basketball games were arranged between local teams and the squads of various ships present which created a great deal of interest. And this was the case despite the fact that the navy teams usually held the upper hand. As was the case in several ports, a party was held on board one afternoon for children from one of the local orphan- ages. About 60 youngsters with chaperons were treated to a tour of the ship, followed by movies and refreshments in one of the mess compartments. Yes, Turkey was different all right, but our visit to Istanbul was one we enjoyed and will remember always. -— :;