Damato (DDE 871) - Naval Cruise Book

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; ?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.

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Standing alone as a symbol of strength and security, guarding the gateway to the Mediterranean is the famous Rock of Gibraltar . Towering above the nearby hills of Spain, it stands out, clearly ex- pressing its purpose. Pictured here on this page are views of the special ceremonies in honor of the 25th Anniversary of Bishop Griffin, Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar, which were attended by many of our crew members. Shown in the procession are the Chaplain and Command- ing Officer of the U. S. S. DES MOINES. Also shown, is one of our -staff members. Mercuric on a brief visit to Spain. •Gibraltar being the last port of call before our departure for Uncle Sugar the inbound arrivals of two large liners, softly lighted and vi- brant with living and excitement invited nostalgia which settled ■over the crew and to the last man there were the pleasant reminis- cences of fleeting moments in the -ports that he enjoyed the most. By morning the jnood had passed -and every heart skipped a beat -when the order was passed to Set the special sea detail . The Dama- -lo was soon under way for her -tenth Atlantic crossing. We were 1-1 » ■ -T-T -Gom Home .