Epping Forest (LSD 4) - Naval Cruise Book

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Our Cruise To those personnel who hod mode the first cruise to WESTPAC on the Epping Forest, the 6th of September 1952 was just a little busier than usual. But to those who hod never been out of the States, and especially to the fellows directly out of boot camp, the events of the 6th were a new and unusual experience. Lost minute preparations for getting underway, getting final stores, and getting personnel aboard all contributed to the general excite- ment and organized confusion. This was the day. It meant leaving loved ones, homes, and everything most of us hod ever known for a place we had only read about. For those who think that a sailor ' s life is all excitement and adventure they might be surprised to learn that there is a lifetime of loneliness in that brief second when he looks bock at the harbor entrance as his ship soils out to sea. The trip to Son Francisco from Son Diego was uneventful. The first day was comparatively calm. Everyone was sure that they were not going to get seasick. But in the following days OS we neored Son Francisco and the ship started taking 30° rolls even some of the salts were forced to moke emergency trips to the head. Son Francisco and Oakland put on a glittering array of twinkling lights the night that we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. It was to be our closest picture of the two cities, for two days later, without a chance for even one liberty, we sailed for Subic Bay, Philippines, with the dredge, McMullen, nestled in our well deck.

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If anyone had dared suggest that it would take us a month to get to Subic Bay we nnight have been tempted to laugh. But it did take us nearly that long; it was just three days short of one month when we arrived in Subic Bay. The dredge, McMullen, gave us some anxious moments on the way over. After a few turbu- lent bouts with the Pacific half the crew were ready to bet the McMullen would drop right through the well deck. The other half were betting it would tear out a wingwall and topple over the side. Fortunately, neither happened. As we steamed further and further south and got closer to the Philippines the mercury kept soaring. More than one snipe was ready to change his rating — anything to get out of the hole . Subic Boy was a pleasant interlude after look- ing at nothing but the endless blue Pacific for so many days. The night we docked in Subic Boy was a night for celebrating. The liberty section of the Epping Forest lost no time in getting over on the beach for some cool, tropical brews. Some tried to prove that they could consume a month ' s supply of beer in one night, but the next day their aching stomachs and throbbing heads proved them wrong. The run from Subic Bay to Yokosuka, Japan was just a short run and we arrived in Yoko- suka one week after leaving Subic Boy. The biggest event there was the advancement in rating list which was waiting for us. Quite a few seaman and fireman went on the beach and come back to find that they were petty officers. In addition, over 30 men got their transfer orders upon arrival in Yokosuka.