Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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All hands CHANGE OF COMMAND The Wardroom gilt

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Columbus, Bremerton, St Paul and Helena, as CruDiv 3 relieves CruDiv 1 It was a long, rough trip from Pearl Harbor to Japan across a wintry, very un-pccific Pacific. Any pert would be welcome, and we found it a little im- possible to beli ve the fabulous reports of the warm reception awaiting us in Yokosuka. It was a relief to see the d rk green shores of Japan beckoning to us as we steamed up Tokyo Bay. And going ashore, we found that our reports were 100 ,, correct. What impressed us most was the friendliness of the people ar.d their eagerness to please. We walked and gawked at the gals in kimoncs and the houses with pagoda roofs that shone in the rain; the language was like nothing we had ever heard before, but everyone learned a few words, even if if was only baby-san . The week of ISE after our first four days in Yokosuka only made us more anxious to return. And when we did, for a full week, we had an opportunity to spread out and see some more of this fascinating country. But all good things (Yokosuka was the best we ' d hit in a long time) pass quickly. As we sailed again down Tokyo Bay, however, we knew that our sayonara was only temporary, that in three months ' time we ' d be back to this compact island paradise. So this is Japan ! We took our first walks down Thieve ' s Alley, learning how to drive a hard bargain

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We learned to use the left hand side of the street . . . . . . and many checked the local 4-H clubs