Consolation (AH 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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An albatross landed twice on the life rail of the ship, which to all Old Salts is a symbol of good luck. At 0700 on the 27th, three islands of the Mari- anas group were sighted and four days later, we steamed into Subic Bay for refueling, sup- plies, and — two days of torrid tropical rain. Departing for Tourane Bay, French Indo-China, the ship ran into heavy seas which lasted for two days. Many of the nurses, and many of us experienced an old malady of the sea; seasick- ness. Gwynn and Harry Martin, brothers and CATS from North Carolina are seen quite frequently around the ship. Gwynn has been aboard for about four years. Quite a few times, it was doubtful how long he would survive, for when it got rough he became the HOUDINI of the deck department. Never did know where he disappeared to. It has been said that he and Russell were consoling each other while hang- ing over the nearest rail. Arriving in port, the Consolation received orders to participate in Operation Passage to Freedom, and admitted four patients. Arrange- ments were completed for medical consulta- tions. Colonel Esplain, Medical Corps, Com- manding Officer of the French Military Hospi- tal, Tourane Bay, with a group of his officers and nurses visited the Consolation. Shortly after their arrival, they were conducted on a complete tour of the ship. Captain Lawler and some of the ot her doctors returned the visit and were given a tour of the French Military Hos- pital in Tourane. Shortly afterwards the ship was visited by RADM L. S. Sabin, USN, and RADM Roy Gano, USN.

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During the six-day trip to Pearl Harbor we were favored with calm seas and fair weather. Hospital wards were placed in readiness for receiving patients, and indoctrination lectures covering the many phases of our mission were conducted for our staff personnel. Upon our arrival, and subsequent liberty, the crew departed to tour the island of Oahu. Amateur photography was in evidence every- where the Consolation personnel were present. The native luau, with its excellent roast pig eaten with the fingers will not be forgotten. We departed Pearl Harbor on 18 August 1954, continuing our westward journey to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. During this lap of our voy- age, chest x-rays were conducted and inocula- tions were given staff and ship ' s company personnel. The Consolation crossed the International Date Line at 1201 on 21 August 1954, losing Sunday the 22nd in making the crossing. Divine services were held on Monday. With birthdays to be celebrated the supply department served a special noon meal which was a treat for all hands. On 25 August word was suddenly passed that the ship was passing through a large school of whales. Starboard rails were manned on the double; amateur photographers were immediately on the job clicking shutters to preserve the scene for posterity. Some of us were seeing our first whale.

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It was hot in Tourane Bay, to say the very least; but the U.S.S. AJAX had sized up the situation and provided a recreation area on one of the wide white beaches. Every afternoon liberty boats hit the beach and sailors swarmed ashore for some good swimming and refresh- ments. Others found the city of Tourane busy and somewhat alive in spite of the intense heat. A smile from a lady shopkeeper, with her black teeth and gums, was one for the photo albums. Betal nut is their favorite chew. French Foreign Legion troops were something to see as well as the natives who raised their families on small boats in the oily harbor. I suppose we looked as strange to them as they did to us, and we both wondered what the reasons were for the unexpected smiles and grins. Morale improved as the screw began to push the waters of Tourane behind us and we ap- proached the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. While en route the following message was received from Commander Task Force 90: YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OPERATION PAS- SAGE TO FREEDOM APPRECIATED X BON VOYAGE X Ask a man about Hong Kong and his re- sponse will be a great big AH! punctuated with a smile. While we roamed around Hong Kong we discovered that what our travel folders told us about Tiger Balm Gardens, swanky clothing stores, split skirts, coolie drawn rickshaws, in- expensive hand-carved ivory, etc. was surpris- ingly true. To save money we spent money, and it was worth it. On October 2nd liberty was not granted because the Communists were celebrating a National Hol iday. e 25 I 3 1, I . 1