Epperson (DD 719) - Naval Cruise Book

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KAOHSIUNG p Pretty Chinese girls, l5gz beers, and 152.00 steaks was the combination that gave all hands channel fever each time the ship entered Kaohsiung Harbor. We knew that the liberty would be good as soon as we learned that Taiwan's number one cartoon character was Popeye the sailor. 'Inside the harbor, the Ep- person tied. up alongside the destroyer tender, Piedmont. From our ship sailors used two unique means of transportation to reach the Sea Dragon Club. The water taxi, the proverbial slow boat to China, chugged, pitched, and rolled its way to the pier. SPS enjoyed the only privilege aboard the taxis, the fare was free. just beyond the pier, two sailors wishing to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the city, hopped into a pedicab. 15 minutes and 20 NT later, the sailors staggered out o-f the pedicab and proceeded into the Sea Dragon Club. Few of us will ever forget the Sea Dragon Club's floor shows and its music to suit all tastes. It's doubtful that you'll hear any of us admit it, but ther-e was scuttlebut that more than one of our mave- ricks lost his laundry money to the Club's one-arm bandits. A group of Epperson sailors delighted the barroom throng by tapping out a few impromptu dance steps. On the exotic streets of Kaohsiung, we faced typical Oriental commercialism. ' We all concurred that the Taiwanese were determined, business-minded people. A five year old salesgirl would hang on to one's pant leg for three blocks until the sailor gave in and bought a pack of Doublement chewing gum for 254. Familiar was the sound of Epperson mates, H400 NT, never 'hoppon', joe. With the price of brass so high in Taiwan and the presence of 300 liberty-loving sailors, our QMS made regular checks to insure that the helm was intact. More than one Japanese stereo tape recorder was sold to help finance Epperson's unconscious war on poverty in Formgga,