Damato (DDE 871) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 76 text:

s 0U paaJd mm Wk i x 1 wL ■ 1 JH ■pr X- -i H ra .,- .{. Drifting sands and a caravan, the deserfs endless space. Lustrous eyes ' neath eastern skies, and a woman s veiled jace Langworthy

Page 75 text:

liiUfien V afiiy I , •» .. » ■ • P M r H r M M -4 H ■ ' Vlip PWl Biiiii ii 1 B 1 Li f J L H ' ■■■■ ' , ' nm . l T 1 . H ' «• K ms ...::::.j To some fifty orphan and underprivileged children of the Methodist Mission at La Pal- merie, Algiers, the arrival of the U.S.S. DAMATO was a thrill of a lifetime . Their thrill was a party given by the Damato com- plete with toys, cake and ice cream. For some of the Arab children it was a new experience because they had never eaten ice cream be- fore. The expressions of happiness on their faces gave proof of the success of the party. Their Navy hosts were Lieutenant G. T. Boyd, Squadron Chaplain and Bob Dayton, a mem- ber of our Welfare and Recreation Com- mittee.

Page 77 text:

; ?vv i?vvvv v.a 4 While in Algeria a small group from the ship ventured into the great desert. Located 150 miles south of the city of Algier and 100 miles deep in the Sahara lies the Oasis Bou Saada, translated Pearl of the Desert . A Mecca for Moslem pilgrims who travel there to visit the holy city of El Hamel founded by a Son of the Prophet many centuries ago and located about five miles from the civic center of the oasis; Bou Saada boasts a cosmopolitan appeal. Well ap- pointed hotels, complete with swimming pools and exotic gardens; occidental foods are no rarity but oriental menus are delectable and reveries for the gourmet. ONE OF OUR PARTY GOES NATIVE MOSQUE IN HOLY CITY EL HAMEL COOL ENOUGH FOR JACKETS IN THE SAHARA Home of the Ouled-Naia Dancers the party from the ship was treated to a special performance and were highly intrigued with the supple gyrations of the group of beautiful maidens noted for their deli- cate physical dexterity and whose sole purpose in life by tradition is the cultured professional art of ballet. The camel caravan proved to be a new but highly amusing experience, highlighted by feuding camels, which we are informed are not unusual. Of course life in the desert is not quite as smooth as a career in a Cadillac, but for a short time was tolerable.