Dashiell (DD 659) - Naval Cruise Book

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The USS OASHIELL (OD-659) it a three hundred seven«y-tix foot destroyer with a standard displacement of 2050 tons. Constructed at Kearny, New Jersey, she was first commissioned en 20 March 1943; from here she went into the Pacific Theatre of operations where she remained until the end of World War II, distinguishing herself with laids on enemy installations and the rescuing of American pilots shot down in action. She has the sinking of five enemy ships and the destruction of nine enemy planes to her credit during the closing days of the war with Japan. The Dashiell remained in an inactive status from 30 Morch 1946 until 20 April 1951 when she commenced being reactivated at the Naval Shipyard, Charleston, South Carolina; and on the third of May she was formally placed in commission. On 27 April 1953, with Timothy J. Guinan, Commander, OSN, commanding, the USS Dashiell get underway for Balboa, Canal Zone, the first leg of her round - the - world cruise. There was gunnery practice in Caribbean waters enreute, a route which took the ship off the coasts of San Salvador, Cuba, and Haiti and through the Crooked Island and Windward passages; on the sec- ond of May she arrived al and transited the 50 mile long Panama Canal and docked at Rodman Naval Base for a day and a half. From here the Dashiell sailed to San Diego, California, where she remained tied up alongside the USS Prairie for four days ' final repairs and fuel; Dago is remembered well, for here began the extra-nautical enter- tainment that was to be found all over the world, and here the officers ' Softball team thoroughly quelled the chiefs ' opposition. Pearl Harbor was the next port-of-call for a three day respite; time for sightseeing, but there was time for one swimming party at Sangley Point Base. The next two days were spent at the Subic Bay Repair Activity where there was a tremendous amount of work accomplished in repairs to the ship, and all hands were very cordially received. After reaching Saigon, French Indo-China, on 20 October, Dashiell was host a) a reception held on board for dignitrries of Saigon and the American colony there. Also there was a recei tion at the home of the Naval Attache to Saigon, and many of the private clubs extended the use of their facilities. From Saigon she sailed to Singapore where a reception was held by the American consul. Then — Colombo; what can one say about Colombo! There were two days of ebony, star sapphires, topaz, ivory, and excitement — all for sale. Some few enjoyed Cooke ' s tours to Mount Lavinia and other points of interest. Enroute to Singapore, on the 23rd of October, the Dashiell crossed the Equator (at 00-00° Latitude, 105-36° East Longitude; the time — 2137 GCT). With true reverence for tradition, the customary Crossing the Equator ceremonies were held on board; and those who had been pollywoggs entered into the sanctum sanctorum, the deepest mysteries and finest wisdom of the Royal Order of Shell- backs, of the court of the august Neptunu s Rex. Those happy few who survived are proud of this honor bestowed upon them. Leaving Ceylon on November third, the Dashiell began her voyage to France. After going through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, she commenced transit of the Suez Canal at 0800, on Armistice Day; the sixteen hour trip had one diversion, swimming over the side of the ship in the Great Bitter Lake. At 2345, the numbers six, five, nine were seen in the Mediterranean Sea. On November 14th, the Dashiell began her full-power trial run, and for four hours she averaged 35.2 knots. She passed through the Straits of Messina with Sicily to port and Italy to starboard; one very exciting spectacle was seeing Mount Stromboli in the process of eruption about seven that evening; even Nature, it seemed, was out to wel- come the Mighty D. Two days later the beauty and fascination of the French Riviera became hers as she dropped her hook in the harbor at Cannes; here began a mass of sightseeing to Nice, Ville-