Downes (FF 1070) - Naval Cruise Book

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Ropongi district, Tokyo, Japan Yokosuka, Japan

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On mail from our hometowns, we wait When mail call is heard, no one says a word. In silence we read and elate. The Corpsmen, the NC, the Master at Arms, 3-M Coord and Master Chief of the Command. These administrative few have plenty to do. And they ' re ready to lend us a hand. To serve the crew three meals per day. To wash clothes, then tumble them dry. To disburse all the cash, and issue parts in a flash — Just some jobs for the men in Supply. Though these jobs seem trivial to some, These tasks are not simple deeds. On this, you can bet, that long after sunset. They ' ll furnish the crew with their needs. Commence FOD walkdown, then report to the bridge. Sea Snake is ready to fly To spot from the air any sub skipper who ' ll dare Come close with his periscope eye. And if those conniving bubbleheads think They ' ll slip past us with ' nary a trace, Thirteen, without remorse, may alter the sub ' s course When a torpedo stares them in the face. From the truck high o ' erhead, 01 ' Glory does fly; Proclaiming from which country we sail. And there, the colors stay with each passing day; Til we moor up the Frigate from Hell. Sound the alarm, set Zebra throughout Man your stations, prepare to defend. Though it may be a drill, play it out as if real; For some day, we may need not pretend. Many a fire or flooding there ' s been. On ships at sea, or near land. For such a tragic event, Flying Squad is hell-bent To control damage a ' fore it gets out of hand. As we sail nautical mile upon mile. Our engines burn fuel from the tanks. With an oiler, today, we ' ll replenish and breakaway. And with cookies, we ' ll pay them our thanks. Kock off ship ' s work! ; the day ' s labor has ceased. Time now for relaxation at sea. The corn is fresh popped, and tired feet are well propped. We ' ll sip sodas and check out SITE TV Or perhaps, one escapes the noise and the laughter. To seek out a hushed atmosphere; In his letter, he ' ll write: How I miss you tonight; God, how I wish you were here! Now, be still for a moment; ' tis ' tween tattoo and taps We pause. Lord, to give thanks to thee. And should the night watch e ' er nod, give him thy heavenly prod. To alert him ' til reveille. The sun appears to rise from the waters. The crimson glow slices darkn ess away And the chill from the night, will not much longer bite; The lookout smiles, as he greets the day. Upon the bridge wing, his keen eye does squint Sees a difrence in the Pacific ' s hue There ' s no turnin ' back as we enter WESTPAC There we ' ll stay ' til our mission is through. The Journey at sea approached a full month; Through seas, both treacherous and fair. And our excitement grew so, with the shout of Land ho! At foreign soil, the anxious did stare. Yokosuka and Otaru, ports of the Far East Two Japanese pearls to behold Beneath honor and pride ancient customs subside As modern technology takes hold. In Pusan, Korea, bargain hunters delight Over wares seen in the stores on the street In search for a deal at costs that are unreal And at prices that no one can beat. A water taxi approaches the ship Anchored between Kowloon and Hong Kong To take a party ashore where they ' ll party some more. And join Janet Jackson in her song. Then to Subic, the Frigate did steam. As quickly as we could possibly go. Though imminent danger was there, great libs we did share In the streets of Olongapo. Yet, when the next Underway was announced The crew let out a great cheer. And the Frigate made way for Hawaii that day For the time to leave Westpac was near. The stop in Hawaii was ever so brief; Long enough to bring on the stores. And with Tigers embarked, the boilers were sparked To propel the Frigate towards home shores. And on the eve prior to our return Channel Fever struck the whole crew. We stayed up all night playing games til daylight Until One S D came into view. The Captain and crew stood proudly on deck From the pier, our loved ones waved. When the brow had been placed, again we embraced And delivered the kisses we ' d saved. The voyage has finally come to an end And a lei is draped from her bow. In these phrases, I ' ve told of this Frigate so bold But, heed ye the words I speak now: Despite the treacherous antics of terr ' ists Who scheme against the brave and the free The mighty ten seven oh will encounter each foe. And kick ass as she travels the sea.

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The Girls of Westpac! hJBl A m Standing. PN3(SW) Link, BTFN Bolinger, MM3 Todd and BTFN Wysocki (kneeling), Olongapo City Philippines Olongapo City, Philippines DK3 Leyco, MSSN Brambila and ET2 Gauen, Subic Bay Philippines