Gearing (DD 710) - Naval Cruise Book

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SI-IIP'S PARTY. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Gravity plays amazing tricks. .554 Chaplain DeRuiter takes the traditional ride to the sea, I5 ' luv A PCDRT MAI-ION After an initial impression that the tiny island of Menorca would have nothing to offer the sailor CXPCII-2 enced in the Ways of Barcelona, the ten day visit turned. out to be one of the most refreshingly memorable of our: cruise. The island has a long history of friendship for American sailors. The son of a Menorcan became ther first Admiral in the United States Navy, Admiral Far- ragut. Port Mahon was a familiar home port for suchi naval sailing ships as the DELAWARE, and the CON- STITUTION Cnow in Boston harborj. Riding those, ships in the early nineteenth century were this QOQIUUYS' midshipmen, who received the bulk of their training 00 the high seas before the Naval Academy was founded if Annapolis. . d American sailors of today found the island still oliCfC enjoyable liberty hours. Most popular were the beaChE5v and. rightly so. Menorca is literally surrounded 3' breathtakingly beautiful coves, with crystal clear blue an torquoise water up to several hundred feet deep. Mani of us brought bought or rented scuba gear and eXp10fi the underwater terrain. The rest of us whiled aW2Yhbei1i hours nearer the surface or on the golden S8115 Off shore. l I I

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VALLETTA, MALTA A twelve-day tender availability and USS SHENANDOAH provided the reason for visiting historic Malta. The tiny island is overflowing with ancient temples and ruins, Roman and Phoenician buildings and aquaducts, fortifi- cations and churches built by the Knights at St. john of jerusalem during their tenure, and British shops and parks of the last 150 years. One of the most popular tours in the ' 'Med is the one showing and explaining the many au- thenic historic sites Though no longer a British colony, the Maltese Islands retain much of the Britannic character. For us, Malta was a working stop, as we saw to it that necessary repairs and assistance were received from SHENANDOAH. There was still time, however, to take the tour, or to explore the city and island on our own. It was refresh- ing to be among people who could speak Eng- lish, even if a little more refined than the American variety. ' Often it is faster to hire a local dgaisa than to wart for the next scheduled liberty boat. 1 l With the fortified city of Valletta as a backdrop, GEA ki RING enters Grand Harbour, raiiiifrf Malta

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'aw m,,.,f3f'5 ' 13 I' lw3nx:?f,I25 Conveniently located across the street from our mooring- the local gin mill! MEN CRCA i . . . Qi ..t..swfsV'?7tsQ2-e'l'iZQf22 , A, we: sm rf? f ln the evenings there were restaurants and sidewalk r - 1 y ' ii I , yialcswith excellent cuisine, both local and continental. -lls A Q 4 i i up ,mst 't ' ,f' 1, l .imeclami that Mahon is the home of that celebrated A QM yal ,. fsaladldresslng, Mahon-aisse, or umayonnaissegl' but 'eis f t t 5 :len if only a legend, today's Menorcan chefs still turn 'ssl i if 31 M - ' f i tr, t -ga t . ,Since we were the only U. S. Navy ship in port, We Xselyi i i ,QQ f-f eyyvi X on f it 1 1,fl1r1 played host to dignitaries, guests Qboth local and J - ,J V ,gli - WIS, rnostly Britishj, and orphan groups. The ship . tfitf s a . ,aff .. f' ' 1 ,Q T'iififfgfffkfflilyml ,k'f, 'i izllmgg , wiseven included on the Wagon-Lits-Cook tour of the ' i rt e' 3 t 'i sts' , if 'W MM 5v,5and!MeanWhile, earl liberr Wa th I 1 f th da , Among the many activities was the enlisted vs. officer football ,nh .Y y s e u e o e y, . . . . 1,11 trtoclear the shi f ' ' ' , game, viewed by curious islanders. The Wardroom, aided by I mend h p or visiting, or to enable the crew bl t. A 1. .d h. b 7 6 Ore l Q , ' - 3ulV4m51e522'-121 ship s party, held on a secluded beach -- at C IC nnapo 18 ml S lpmen' Won Y 3 Sq? ' mmm, .'Shopp1ng for Perlas de Majorican and i s Q lvl- l A me 0213 FPC 1S1ar1d were popular pastimes. A football j ,Omg 21 Qcal soccer Held tested the physical fitness of Ofus Cincluding a few not-so-Ht officers lj. l P . V, 5,,rggitl?E most Clljoyable was the opportunity to relax, i generally gush of Sixth Fleet task group operations, and . A H ,Q fummeri Althe In the Warm sun of a Mediterranean , madt Ough 21 Certain amount of work of necessity A Obed ' . vacation. One' thls Was one port that provided a real . ' ' them around We met many friends in Port Mahon-sometimes showing the Ship was all one sailor could manage.