Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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SaMJ a Since fhe end of the war Sasebo, the westernmost city in Japan, has been one of the two major U. S. Naval bases in this country. Relatively unimportant as a commercial port, Sasebo has had a checkered career, her fortunes rising and falling according to the fluctuations of naval activity. With American activity there reduced and Japa- nese naval strength at present small, Sasebo is once again reduced to relative obscurity. But its well-protected inner harbor, considered one of the best typhoon shelters in the Far East, and its ex- cellent port facilities indicate that, with Japanese production and overseas trade increasing every year, Sasebo may well reawaken in the not too distant future. Festival parades View of Sasebo, with artistic pinetree foliage in the foreground Hookey playing Sasebo schoolboys keep sharp lookout for the truant officer

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Ceremonies and visits occupied much of our time during the ship ' s brief stay in the ancient city of Nagasaki, long one of Japan ' s major ports. During her stay, Columbus held open house and the Japanese poured aboard in droves to take a look at the 74 . For the Admiral ' s reception held on Sunday, 29 April, the Columbus foc ' s ' le was graced with scores of ovely, kimono-clad ladies, whose interest in the ship was equalled only by our interest in their shy beauty and richly colored dress. Nagasaki street scene Now shift into the clean Kimono of the day The governor ' s wife cuts the cake

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Rice paddies