Epperson (DD 719) - Naval Cruise Book

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KEELUNG Y FIVE SHORT BLASTS ' Now on the Epperson, set the special sea and y anchor detail. What happened? VVhy is everybody running to and fro? Are we leaving port or moving to an- 5 other berth? FIVE SHORT BLASTS q Negative! Apparently a combination of stormy weather and the hasty departure of a merchant ship caused our anchor to break loose. Look! We're drifting towards the Ru Ta. Don't panic. Hey, sailor, tie two rubber tires together with a piece of line. Hurry! You, get that hand fender over. Now get these tires over, too. Fast! s 1 What are you meatheads doing with those cameras at a time like this? Qin unisonj We're taking 1 pictures for the cruise book. 7, Here's the latest, sir: two tugs are on the way to provide assistance. However, it looks as if are go- ing to bump the Ru Ta. Very well. The situation seems to be well in hand. , . TRANSLATION Honorable father, why are there .many of our people standing on this pier looking at the grey ship? That ship, Wong Lee, is the American destroyer, USS Epperson. It probably has returned from a patrol of the waters where your honorable grandfather casts his fishing nets. The Epperson sails the Formo- sa Straits to prevent an invasion by our enemies on the mainland. What is the ship doing here? . , The Epperson crew is here to relax. Sailors will enjoy themselves in the Keelung bars, take pictures of our country, or perhaps journey to Taipei. Look! Many sailors are wearing clean white uniforms. Yes, my son. I believe the captain of the ship is going to conduct an inspection of his men. The American sailor is known for his neat appearance. More of our people are here to look at the ship. Yes, Wong Lee. Our countrymen are here not only to look at a truly beautiful ship but to express their humble thanks for what America is doing for us. Is the United States Navy a strong navy, father? This is so, my son.

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TAIPEI i EASTER I TAIPEI Wliile the Epperson was in Keelung a few of the crew ventured to the capital city of Taiwan, Tai- pei , The particular weekend in which 4 RM's and l BT conned out of work was Easter weekend. The most inexpensive and fastest mode of transportation was the train, Because of the holiday the train was quite crowded. So the five of us were huddled in one corner next'to an open door. This position turned out to be to our advantage as it gave us an excellent opportunity to take pictures of the country side as we sped by. Along the route we observed factories, coal mines, construction sites, rock quarries, farm lands, fishing villages along small rivers, and many farm towns. Until recently most of Taiwan's industry was developed through United States' aid. Now Taiwan is becoming entirely se-lf-sufhcientg for example, the island is well on its way to becoming the world's largest exporter of canned goods. Upon entering the city limits of Taipei we could see the typical hustle and bustle of Chinese life- As we missed our intended stop, we had to continue into the heart of Taipei. Our destination, still some miles away, forced us to ride a rickety bus which would have been outlawed in a minute back home. The bus ride turned out to be an adventure in itself. This antique vehicle weaved its way through wave after wave of bicycles QTaipei's principal means of transportationj. Finally we arrived at one of Taipei's sull- urbs, where a good friend and ex-shipmate fLeej lives with his wife and family. He is presently- assigned to the Commsta at Taipei. Upon arrival at Lee's home we were greeted with a big welcome and a cold drink of San Miguel beef- After a fresh water wash down and a change into some comfortable clothes, we were ready to relax and talk over some old sea stories. When dinner was ready not one of us had to be asked twice. Dinner was enitvyed by all, for it was cooked in the best Japanese cuisine by Lee's wife, Toni. After dinner it was San Miguel time again and a chance for all to relax before the traditional Easter Egg hunt,