Grand Canyon (AD 28) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 60 of the 1952 volume:

HiHlorfi ol thv I SS 4iiltA! [U rAI YON (AD-2 ) Th« ORAND CANYON t a dastreyar tandar of the AD-26 clan, nomad altar tha baoutllul wattern landmark. Authoriia 17 June 1943, the ship wot built by the Loke Wofhington Ship- yard, Houghton, Washington. The keel was laid 23 November 1944. Under the spontorthip of Mrs. W. L. Mann, the wot launched on 27 April 194S, and flrtt committioned 5 April 1946. The mission of the GRAND CANYON is to provide logistic support to destroyers. Under the command of her first com- manding officer. Captain H. O. HOOVER, the GRAND CANYON left Washington in June of 1946, for Son Diego and a brief shakedown period off the sunny coast of Southern California. In July, the ship was underway for Newport, Rhode Island, via the Panama Canal to start on her assigned task of keeping destroy- ers in operating condition. September of 1946, sow the start of the first cruise to the Mediterranean. The itinerary included a short visit in Palermo, Sicily, followed by a four and a half d ' giving 1949, saw the GRAND CANYON back in Norfolk until the end of February 1950, when a run was mode to Key West, Florida to render tender services to the destroyer-escorts based there. From the beginning of May until the middle of July, tha GRAND CANYON underwent its second yard overhaul at koston, Massachusetts. While in the Naval Shipyard in toston. Captain CONNELIEY was relieved by Captain FEE on the 7th of June. Then, except for a short period of Individual Ship Exercises, the ship remained alongside the dock at Norfolk until departing once again in October 1950 for Mediterranean duty. The GRAND CANYON ' S log shows that she visited Italy, Greece, France, Gibraltar, Crete, Sicily, Turkey, and North Africa. The vessel touched at such historic ports as Naples, Athens, Augusta, Ismir, ■iierte and Oran. Once again, the GRAND CANYON returned to Norfolk in March 1951, after successfully completing her Mediterranean mission of Good Will and defense. During the stay in her home port, the tender was honored with the award of the Navy Battle Efficiency E , issued by Com- mander Destroyer Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet on IS August 1951. While she won awards for hard work, the ship proved she could also sustain herself in the field of athletics. Her crew won the Atlantic Destroyer Force Softball Championship at Norfolk, 16-30 August 1951, and then went on to finish runner-up in the Atlantic Fleet Championships. The GRAND CANYON also presented the Destroyer Force with the runner-up cup in the Atlantic Fleet swimming meet, held at Norfolk, 9-10 July 1951. On 7 September 1951, Captain G. E. FEE, USN, was relieved by Captain J. D. SWEENEY, USN. In February, the GRAND CANYON relumed to the Mediter- ranean with her new Captain and her new laurels. Since her arrival at Naples, Italy on 11 February 1953, the ship has sailed month stay at Naples, Italy. The return trip included the ports of Gibraltar, Tangiers in North Africa, and finally NOB, Norfolk, Virginia, where she arrived the first of March 1947. At the end of June, Captain E. R. SPERRY reported aboard to relieve Captain HOOVER. In November, with the new skipper and many new faces in the crew, the GRAND CANYON commenced her second Mediter- ranean cruise with the Sixth Task Fleet. This lime, the ports of call were Gibraltar; Naples, Italy; Augusta, Sicily; Tarento, Italy; and Algiers, North Africa. Early in March 1948, the GRAND CANYON again took leave of the European Theater, this time for the Boston Naval Shipyard for regular yard availability. Not long after reaching the home port of Norfolk in July 1948, Captain COFER relieved Captain SPERRY as commanding officer. The GRAND CANYON ' S return for Mediterranean duty came up in August and lasted through the month of December. Except for the always visited port of Naples, the route covered some new spots, Golfe Juan, France; Argostoli, Greece; Athens, Greece; Sfax, Tunisia; and Bizerte, Tunisia. The stop at Golfe Juan en- abled those who desired to make side trips to such famous places as the French Riviera and Paris. Before leaving for Norfolk in December, Michaelangelo ' s Statue of David was placed aboard by Professor Bruno Malejole on a six month loan to the United Stales from the Italian Government. At Norfolk, the statue was placed ashore and once again the ship went back to its un- glamorous job of tending destroyers. In June 1949, Captain COFER was relieved by Captain CON- NELLEY, and in July the GRAND CANYON headed back to Naples to return the statue of David. The other Mediterranean ports visited were Gibraltar; Athens, Greece; Golfe Juan, France; Argostoli, Greece; and Sudo Bay, Crete. In addition, those inter- ested were able to make tours to Paris and Pompeii. Thanks- BLACK SEA :;;. Istanbul TURKEY 0 rx x . ■ ' r. fSi -... ' o the Mediterranean as the flagship of Commnder Service Force, SIXTH Fleet. During this period, she has saile d from Istanbul to Gibraltar; from Cannes to Bone and has touched three continents and four countries. The ship ' s repair force has continued servic- ing destroyer units of the SIXTH Fleet in the same manner in which she so successfully carried out her assigned mission in Norfolk. In addition, the Repair Department has undertaken the more difficult task of serving submarines and larger units of the fleet. As a unit of Service Force, the GRAND CANYON has learned to ploy the role of a service unit underway and has par- ticipated in some of the largest peace-time service operations undertaken to dote. On 9 June, 19S2 the GRAND CANYON sailed for home once more to resume her ' normal tasks with Commander Destroyer Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. Oi ' o, ' r ' ■ ' ' ■ ■ o, USS GRAND CANYON AD ' SS IISHRIID UMU Mediterranean Cruise ANCHOR ' S AWEIGH FOR NAPLES Now Go to Your Stations All the Special Sea and Anchor Detail! The USS GRAND CANYON (AD- ' 28) moved. her bulky form in a convulsive, backward thrust. Miniature vessels, with powerful, frroaning engines pushed and tugged until they succeeded in forcing the wayward ship into mid-channel. Here and there among the men lining the rail was a forced smile, a hasty wave and perhaps, a forward glance toward Hampton Roads and the open sea. They had nuide adequate preparations for this single moment of getting underway. The Deck-force had loaded ammunition for three days; stores were aboard ; personnel transferred and received. In short everything was done that one could possibly imagine being done, prior to leaving home port for five months. But if some things were accomplished by individuals or groups, there was one thing that was done by all. They all said goodbye. It was the hardest task they accomplished. Some made tlie last dash home by air or train. Others said a last, few, hushed words at the pier. Everyone felt a keen loss somewhere inside. Yet, there was the realization that somehow they would come home again, and everything would be the same when they returned. But these thoughts, if a fleeting concept in the haste of the hustle and bustle can be so dignified, had little place in a ship struggling to find a great ocean highway. And when she passed Chesapeake Light Ship and increased to a speed appropriate for open waters, the men had time for more mature thought. And they must have thought of home; of Europe; of the .job ahead. Yet even, these thoughts could not find place in bodies whose stomachs were convulsed in the process of being terribly sea sick. (It was reliably reported that the seamen recovered more rapidly than the Ensigns.) Soon, however, the rails became less crowded with leaning forms and all were sailors in something more than name alone. Then, and only then, was there some real interest in food, shipboard living, Europe, and letters from home. (Occasionally someone was observed glancing through A Pocket Guide of Italian Cities. A few, at least, were deter- mined to have the jump on the rest of their shipmates and acquire facts that could be knowingly recited in the presence of those venerable European guides.) After a few days, the Azores Islands were sighted, and it was good to be close to land again. The ship ran south along the coast of Portugal, and finally approached Gibraltar. The view was rather interesting — like peep- ing over the top of a high wall and finding Gibraltar silhouetted in the morn- ing twilight. Cameras appeared, and shutters snapped, and smiles flashed across faces where only pale grins were before. Well, Europe was worth seeing. Some men spend a considerable amount of money to come here, and we have the trip with pay. Maybe it wasn ' t really so bad after all. There was Rome, Paris, Istanbul, Naples, and the Riviera — all worth seeing once in a life- time. Yet still, it would be just as nice if someone decided to send us right anticipation was back home. But man finds a way to adapt to almost any condition and the process of adapting was in full swing, now. Of course, you were going to work like the dickens and maneuvers might be pretty rough. I wonder what the Flag will be like? Rough? Can ' t be too bad, tho ' . Tomorrow we hit Naples. There ' s Ishchia! Isn ' t that Capri? Yea. The cameras were grinding again. An occasional smile of observed here and there. There she is — the Yellowstone! The little vessels were alongside again. They looked dift ' erent than the ones in Norfolk. Less powerful. The men spoke a different language. The ship was nudged into the inner harbor. The Service Force SIXTH Fleet Band blared a welcome. A destroyer slipped past blinking, Welcome to the Med. Send back Thank you. Just Thank you. You wouldn ' t know it to look at her, but the Grand Canyon was the most wanted ship operating in the Med. A price on her Skipper ' s head. Eight days free leave to the first Yellowstoner sighting the AD-28, preferably alive. They were happy on the Yellowstone. Apprehensive on the Grand Canyon. The booms groaned under the none too light liods of ammunition and supplies which they lifted from the Yellowstone ' s deck. Commaiuler Service Force SIXTH Fleet broke his flag on the Grand Canyon at 3 P..M., 11 February, 1952. She was in the SIXTH Fleet. John D. Sweeney, U. S. IV. This foreword is written with confidence that the Grand Canyon Cruise Log Book will be a complete success. I consider myself especially fortunate to have been in command of such a fine seagoing ship and such a spirited ship ' s crew during this pleasant and lively foreign cruise. My appreciations to all the Officers and Chief Petty Officers who sparked this good spirit without which the best vessel is only a mass of steel and the crew anonymous. This is my fourth sea command and I have been proud of each one, but my time on the Grand Canyon, highlighted by this Mediterranean Cruise has been the most satisfying of all. In years to come, this book will serve to refresh our memories to spin a yarn or two of pleasant experiences from Gibraltar to Istanbul. It is my hope that the Grand Canyon never loses her Can Do ability and reputation, that the makers of this book experi- ence great success and that the Almighty continues to watch over and protect the Grand Canyon and all on board, wherever she goes. On .May Ttli at Gibraltar, B.C.C., the Grand Canyon said goodbye to Commander Riehard : IcGlatliery. USN who departed for duty at Rodman. Canal Zone. We were happy to welcome aboard our new executive officer. Com- mander Edward H. Gentry, USN. All hands joining in wishing both of them the be.st of luck in their new po.sts. Ili4 ' hard . l4- iilalherv, U. S. N. Edward H. Gonlrv, V. S. ?«ft rrMfei, iifc.vV Ibl : jf iif . Naples, Italy, was our first port of call, and our last port of call. We arrived in Naples on 11 February, 1952 and dashed ashore as rapidly as liberty regulations would allow. For most of us it was a new experience. Of course, we tried to act as if we had been through all this sort of thing before. But in spite of all we might do we were as carried away with the nea- politan splendor as the most naive tourist. That first liberty found most of us enjoying the semi- Spring warmth of Naples and wending our way to some pleasant Italian restaurant and usually wishing that the best girl or the Mrs. could be along to enjoy this or that sight. Naples we discovered was one of the most his- toric of all the Mediterranean cities, Naples and Istanbul (of which more later) dispute over the claim of occupying the most beautiful site in Europe. Naples Bay extends thirty-five miles from cape to cape and includes within its bound- aries some of the world ' s most romantic island resorts, including Iscliia and Capri. The liistory of Naples is nearly as ancient as the known history of the world. Her founding dates back to the time of the Greek settlements in Italy. Naples was originally called Palaeop- olis by the Greeks and was held by them until Publilius Philo conquered the region in 328 BC and renamed it Neapolis. Neapolitan beauty and climate attracted tourists even in the earli- est days of the Roman Empire. Nero and Hadrian resided there and Virgil composed his Georgics there. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Naples suffered considerably at the NAPLES WELCOME TO THE MED. The Grand Canyon Greets Naples. Our First Liberty Call. Strange Sights. New Faces. hands of the Goths. During the following cen- turies her beauty was the prize of many Euro- pean nations. From time to time Naples was in- dependent, or dependent on either France, or Austria, or .Spain. Finall.y, in 1860 Garibaldi conquered the Neapolitan Army and the people were united in Italy produced a King Victor Emmanuel. Since that time, Naples has been a part of Italy. Naturally such a romantic history offers much to the tourist. Everywhei ' e one sees the tradi- tions of this great sea port. From the horse drawn carriages to the Opera House where Caruso sang and from Capri to Pompeii, all is breathtaking beauty. Now silent Vesuvius seemingly surveying the scene only adds to the grandeur. Into this picturesque atmosphere can be in- jected the concept of a warmhearted people with a long tradition of friendship for America. Her population of over one million persons is only now recovering from the deep shock of war. Yet, she has, and is making every effort to take her place among the free nations of the world. We wished we were going back on the Constitution. So this is the Riviera? Away the Liberty Party. CANNES The Riviera, or as it is called by the French. La Cote D ' Aziir (meaning land of sun- shine), extends from Cannes to Menton — a dis- tance of about twenty-five miles. What a festival of color is this southern coast of France ! Here one finds a brick-red. mountainous baek- grround interspersed with evergreen. Each city is not without its cool appearing palms, multi- colored villas and stately hotels. Bordering the coast with its crescent shaped beaches is the shimmering, clear ilediterrauean. Here is the setting for a world playground. The City of Cannes is truly such a place — the heart of the Riviera ; playground for million- aires and beggars, alike. We found it much as the travelogues would describe it and could not have been more fascinated. Cannes ofi ered beaches, bikinis, and beau- There are other sailors in the Ated, too. tiful scenery (in more ways than one). Along the boulevards one met the tourist, the thief, tlie bathing beauty, the aetor. the painter, the sad, the wise, the beautiful, and the ugly. Play- ing over the entire scene was a light of gaiety. We cannot forget the other spots on the Riviera which we. like all tourists, found. There was ila.Kim ' s, the Casino, in Cannes, and the beaches and clubs of J uin les Pins. Golfe Juan. Antibes, Nice, and Monte Carlo. The Plantation. The Monte Cristo and several other nights clubs in Nice are familiar to more than a few of us. On the Promenade in Cannes. uxm «i We arrivt in time for the Festival of Flow= ers. The liberty was ne er better. Visiting Cannes during the Winter. Spring, and early .Summer ottered several unusual op- portunities. Among other things we enjoyed skiing, swimming, picnicing, and the festivals. The ilimosa Festival in Cannes and MardiGras in Nice offered color, beauty, confetti, and ticker tape. Several divisions found their way to the beach clubs for an afternoon of swimming, sail- ing volleyball and beer (Danish variety). Perhaps. Cannes was the nicest port which we visited. We shall not forget the people or their town. They made us welcome and they made us their friends. While on tlie Riviera, we visited Paris. Three million gay people, the Arc de Tri- umph, the Eitfel Tower, Opera Comique, Shalimar perfume, ( artier Silver, the side- walk cafe, the Folies Bergere. I ' ieasso ' s, IMoutemarte, Latin (Quarter, Sorl)oinii ' , Ver- sailles, Noi ' te Dame, the Mona Lisa, the Ritz, Pig:alle — this is Paris. Paris offers the tourist the complete, the ultimate in everytliinji:. The dizzy iieights of the Eiffel Tower; the naujihty Follies; the Rue Blauclie; the Piyalle district; crepe suz- ettes at .Maxims f ir Twenty dollars a plate; hot tlofi ' s and hamhurj ' ers at Tom ' s Har-B-( . You see the whole world with all her jicople, yet you never h-ave home; .von travel evci ' v- wliei ' e, yet you have hai ' dly mo i ' d a foot. This is Paris. We toured the Left Bank. ' isitcd the Sorboune, enjoyed the Lati n Quarter. In Paris we found the heai ' t of Kur i])e; the fi:ayest city in the woiid ; the most sincere people. Of La Femme we can only say Ou La La! This was Paris, and when we left to return to duty a iain, we were more than jiist slightly sad. It was a tour, and yet something more. Europe ' s playground was in a playful mood during this pre-Lenton celebration which marked our first visit to Europe ' s j ear round resort. Somehow these candid shots are really the Riviera with its fun loving, artistic populace. fV . Not goodbye, just so long for a few weeks as we leave Cannes for the first time. W We Return to Sunny Italy. NAPLES The Fleet ' s In.  ' . .l«ti  ?  :- t ; xnStr-i Away the Liberty Party. ITALY An Unusual photo of Vesuvius. Pompeii. The Slaves who built You; the ash which preserved You; the scientists who found You. Pictured here is Pompeii as she was found by the crew of the Grand Canyon, a tribute to the force of man and Nature. Neapolitan art under sunny skies. m M The Holy Father, Pope Pius XII, with a delegation from the Grand Can on. ROME The Eternal City. Here, indeed, wa.s a visit which we all sought to make, and many of us di dmake. For some there was the tour party — an adventure in Roman living. For others there was, at least, a hurried one day trip to Rome. Rome was, perhaps, not as gay as the Rivi- era, or as e.xciting as Paris. Neither was it quite as mysterious as Istanbul. And yet, it had an unehallenged supremacy in ever so many ways. Perhaps that supremacy came from the simple combination of the ultra-modern with the ancient. It seems to be almost an anachronism to stand before the reputed tomb of Caesar and St. Paul ' s Outside the Walls. taan mBoi- asstiattm The Tour Party With Their Ever Present Guides. St. Paul ' s statue, Rome. i H ..- ri3C vU TTi •■■;■ , ill 1 i Victor Emmanuel II Memorial. Musolini ' s followers once jammed this Square to hear 11 Duce. watfh an airplane scream overhead. It would be useless to attempt to para- phrase the history of Rome here. It would be even more impossible to attempt to describe the archaie beauty of the c-ity. From the catacombs to the Church of St. Peter and from Vatican City to St. Pauls can be seen the earliest re- mains of Christendom. The fact that Christians walk through the catacombs and in so doing intrude upon the dead of centuries carries with it a meaning: which is wonderful to contemplate. Here is the link of centuries — one ilan — one Ideal. For that — all these and all this — past and present is one with the future. There were lighter sides to our Roman ex- perience. Some of us trooped along the Appian Way;, others rested (more wisely, perhaps) is the most conveniently located street cafe. There with a bubbling glass of wine we found a minor flirtation or a happy song. When we left Rome, we knew that we had left a grand, old city. But, perhaps, we took some of her traditions to our hearts and, per- haps, we found that, after all, her tradition? were ours also. The Roman Forum. Arch of Constantine. The Coliseum. Vatican Square. Here They Stand to Cheer the Pope. Our First View of Historic Cagli- ari, after a 270 Mile Jaunt from Naples. CAGLIARI The Medical Department Takes a Patient on Board and the Ship Provides Vet Another Service in the Sixth Fleet. Twiee we popped in on the unsuspeetintr city of Cagliari and twice we found a kind, hospitable reception, there. This Sardinian city, with a history nearly as ancient as Rome itself, is only now develop injr as a tourist center. We found it. on the whole, much like Naples and Rome. The little Italian Restaurants and broad boulevards, with their con.siderably narrower off-shoots, were most like Naples, And so again we found numerous camera stud- ies, pleasant beaches, and very good fishing. Once more we found our wa.v into the various shops, and bargained, almost professionally now. with the owners. Within a short time, we re- turned to the ship with that etching or that oil painting which was to grace the living room or the den back home. If Cagliari was not the attraction that Cannes or Naples was, it certainly was not out- done by any for hospitality. The Italian Navy welcomed their American counter-parts with free tours of the Cagliari area. Again many found new friends ashore. Yet. we left Cagli- ari for the last time with feeling of joy, because we knew that home wasn ' t quite so far off any longer. SARDINIA Good Will was a Part of Our Mission Too. These Cagliari Orphans enjoy Ship ' s Chow. The Mediterranean Can Be Rough. Our First Re- plenishment Exercise. - ?il u - f It Sea COMSERVFORSIXTHFLT Band Tooting for the Tin Cans as They Come Alongside. One of the Brood Comes Alongside for Ammo. High Line Transfer at Sea. Jt The Chief Engine Driver Fills Her Up. Refueling at Sea. Our Second Visit to Cannes. The Sceners Is Improving All the Time. The Weather Warms Up and the Beaches Fill Up. CANNES Service Force Boys and Girls Have a Night Out. FRANCE Volley Ball Proved to Be a Popular Sport on the Riviera. Hey, Who Won? And Then Some of the Youngsters Requested Flag Duty. Till t- ' «% Lim : ■Si. ' fc , - -iJ • From the Beaches to the Alps. How Can It Be So arm Down Here and So Cold Up There? THE ALPS If a group of scientists were given un- limited funds, atomic power and instructions to carve a tourist ' s paradise from the earth ' s sur- face, they would surely refuse the assignment, and merely point to Switzerland with the ques- tion. Why build another. In Switzerland we found a picturesque beauty in the towering peaks and the still, blue lakes. Within her borders Switzerland houses the world ' s great peace movements, and many of the humanitarian societies. At Geneva one finds the International Red Cross Center, Euro- pean Headquarters of the L ' nited Nations, and other similar societies devoted to the task of bringing peace and comfort to the world. Wherever we travelled in this tiny moun- tain country we found a people noted for their hospitality. It would seem unfair not to men- tion also the pleasant dinners, the enchanting views, and. oh yes. these hair-pin curves which our French bus driver managed to zoom round with no appreciable decrease in .speed. The Skiing Enthusiasts Have at It. Typical of the Pictur- esque Villages Nestling in the Alps-Maritime Prov- ince. Their Church; Their God; Their .Mountains. ?!  • Monte Carlo, Monarco. Monte Carlo, Casino. Castle of the Prince of Monarco, Ramler III. The Casino from the Hill. ;r ' • - . 14W Elsiai MONACO Monaco, ruled by Ramier, III is a sovereign principality within the Alps ] Iaritime Prov- ince. While olives and olive by-products are its main exports, the tourist trade is the major source of income. The fact that it cost $400,000 per year to rent the casino from the prince gives you some idea of how lucrative the tourist trade can be. And oh yes. they don ' t pay taxes in ilonaco. The game rooms of .Monte Carlo. A view from atop the steep cliffs which characterize the shore line Riviera. Repleiiisliiiig: the Sixtli Fleet at sea was a major mission. During tliis cruise the ship took part in some of the largest at sea replenishments ever accomplished in the ilediterranean area. Sometimes our de cks became a little cluttered and sometimes the ■eather became a bit rough, but replenishment went on. and mail could al- ways come through by helicopter. 1 ms, ea Operations a i)jatlon and 5th Division battle it out tor the ship soft ball championship at Suda Ba . SUDA BAY Suda Bay has never enjoyed that degree of popularity with men of the SIXTH Fleet that is enjoyed by Cannes, Naples or Istanbul. We discovered that this was not due to the people. Indeed, they were as friendly as any we were to meet in Europe. Nor was it due to maritime difficulties, because no better harbor could be found. The cause of this ' Oh no not Suda! attitude was that one couldn ' t leave main street without leaving- the city limits. The approaches to Suda Bay were as pretty as any we had yet seen. The weather was ter- ribly hot when we arrived on 31 March. And so it wasn ' t but a few hours until the balls, bats, and gloves were being issued from the Athletic Gear Locker. Cold beer was broken out and ' ' i ' ud Middleweight Vinni Lannie scoring with a hard right. Lannie went all the way to win this amateur title, scoring two KO ' s. dispensed at the E I club for fifteen cents a can (Oh me I Norfolk was never like this!  : Ieanwhile. the SIXTH Fleet Athletic Committee was busily planning a Smoker. For nine days we worked hard and played hard. At Suda Bay we overhauled everything from destroyers to the USS CHE WAIT AN. At times we had ships on both sides, ileauwhile, the Supply Department was busy loading stores (ably assisted by one hundred hard working parties. ) But if we worked hard, it can be said that we played hard. Fifth Division and Oper- ations-Navigation Divisions battled down to the wire in the Inter-Divisional Softball Tourney. (Fifth Division won by the way. but wait until next year. ) ileanwhile, the officers and men of Lt. J(i Krank Hughes counts em out as another (irand Can on boxer wins. The tight crowd at Suda Ba . Sold plent beer too. . ' The ever popular mail plane. 5 Jam r . You might say the terrain is rugged in Crete. Suda Bay. That ' s all there is there ain ' t no more. W KB the GRAND CANYON displayed their talent for arranging S MOKERS. We soon found that many among us had liidden talents. It wasn ' t long before we assembled muslL-ians, singers, masters of ceremony, boxers, wrestlers, referees, announcers, judges, and a corp of hard working beer and sandwich dispensers. For three days the GRAND CANYON was host to the SIXTH Fleet and men from every ship put on the gloves, fighting a total of twenty-four bouts for the pleasure of their shipmates. When we li(}ve short at Sl ' DA and made preparations for departing for Istanbid, it could be said that Suda Bay had been rocked from one end of main street to the next and that the Repair force had accomplished another outstanding overhaid period. It had been work, but it was fun. too. B The Fifth Division U.S.S. Grand Canyon lntra«Division Softball Cham° pions, Suda Bay, Crete, 1952. Standing, left to right: Sullivaan, H. E., Monts, B. D., Rusak, S. J., Loupe, L. J., Bright, W., VanHorn, J. B., Battista, R., Pognant, J. L. Bottom row: Ennis, R. L., Doh= ner, J. H., Flanagan, W. S., Lattaweic, W., Scalero, T., Pilote, R. R., Sitz, M. H. The fights were good, the seats ringside, and the beer cold. Shipping in the Bosphorus with Europe on the right and Asia on the left. We are all members of the Mystic Order of the Flying Carpet. Here was real indication that we were sailors of the Mediterranean. The transit of the Dardenelles, and visit to Istanbnl established our claim to having: traveled the Med from side to side and from top to bottom. Istanbul truly does vie with Naples for the honor of being located on the most beautiful site in all Europe. The anchorage at Istanbul gave us a sweeping view of the Bosphorus. The sun- sets were unmatched except by those of Naples and the nights were truly beautiful. More than that, Istanbul proved to be one of the most modernistic cities in Europe. In- variably, we were surprised to discover the great number of American products in nse there. American automobiles, for example, were a com- mon sight on the streets. lixed with the materialistic present was the heady ritualism of centuries. While the women no longer wear veils, the mosques retain One of the fast and ever=moving ferries. Native bazaar section. A view of the European side. Examples of the t pical architecture. ISTANBUL all of their old traditionalism. The St. Sophia Mosque and the Blue Mosque are truly un- matched in architectural beauty. The interior decorations of these mosques is combination of the bizarre and the mysterious. Istanbul as perhaps no other city in Europe greeted us with generous hospitality. Nowhere was the sight of the American sailor more pleas- ing to the inhabitants and nowhere was there such a bond of friendship as was evinced by our Turkish allies. We were somewhat startled at first, perhaps, to realize that democracy had such firm friends who lived such a great dis- tance from America and the traditional democ- racies of the West. In the final analysis perhaps, we discovered that the union of ideals is a bond that spans con- tinents and ignores distance. Our five days in Istanbul proved to be all too short and we left Bone with the feeling that another few days in Turkey would have been .something more than pleasant. One of the many needles scattered throughout the city. Fancy drinking fountain, eh ' what? The ever=present minaret. M ill Bone, Algeria. The Tri=Color flying be- tween the stars and bars; a French wel- come. lil.irf Bone ' s public gardens were beautiful in the spring. After .si. days of heavy duty- operations en route from Istanbul. Bone Algeria, looked good. It had, we di.scovered, one of the finest harbors in Algetia and was a leading e. port center for the heavy mineral traffic. Those of us inter- ested in economics learned that Bone was also a large industrial center, with several cork, tobacco and chemical factories. The most e.xciting thing about Bone, per- haps, was that it was Africa. Europe, Asia, and now Africa. Three continents. Those who en- joyed touring l)i vond the city limits visited the charming garden suburbs of Beasusehour, Jlen- adia, and Frais Vallon. In spite of the over- cast weather which plagued our visit, some trav- eled to the seaside resort of St. Cloud-les Plages. For those who wandered about the city viewing the native quarter and new city, there were such sights as the Kasbah and the beautiful, tree- lines Cours Hermone Bertagno. The European or new city is laid out on a geometrical pattern, with straight, broad thoroughfares. As in Istanbul, we learned how to bargain until the price was right. A fez, a white hat A favorite European sport — soccer. BONE ALGERIA might be seen bobbing and nodding and ex- changing frantic gestures in any street bazaar. However, all was not liberty and recreation. One night the Grand Canyon broke loose from her mooring and drifted toward the high oetane gas-ladened USS MARIAS. Alert ship han- dling prevented serious difficulties. Nevertheless, the Grand Canyon suffered slight damage to her stern. The ship anchored in the outer liarbor to prevent any futui ' e difficulties. For the many of us who spent the night as guests of the ; IENELAUS during all the excitement we sent a hearty vote of thanks for the bunk and break- fast. Before we really knew it, we were under- way for Gibraltar. There was only about one month before we would be relieved, and atten- tion was focused on the SHENANDOAH, and the folks back home. ■ ft ftii - Rugged waters. terrain smooth A view of Bone from the Grand Canyon ' s bow. - . .MlS i) mU jaia$ m .: Our last glimpse of Bone and Africa. As we return to the Rock. In myth and fact, Gibraltar stands as one of the wonders of the world. The mighty Eock is still as captivating a sight as one can find in all Europe. Just why men find Gibraltar so unique is perhaps difficult to explain. Basically, it is just so much rock, corrupted by man-made fortifications. And yet, Gib is the key-stone of an Empire. With it and the Suez Canal, the British life-line is secure. Without it, there is no line at all. But it must be something more than military improvements and economic neces- sity that make this huge slab so captivating. It is, perhaps, its historic place in world history that cause so much of our attention to be fo- cused on the Rock. Hardly a person has not heard of the legends of Gibraltar, of the Spanish and British contests for possession, of the mon- keys that must never leave, of Hercules, and of all the other tales which have been told by seafarers and Empire builders from time im- memorial. Turning our attention to other features for a moment, we might say the Gib is also a very pleasant little community. The quite cosmo- politan city is chiefly a large department store. In the various shops, everything is priced so low as to make a price administrator shudder at the prospects of retaining his position. Woolens, china, linen, silks are all to be purchased in this free port. Since there were only two paydays that month, we found it difficult to buy all the things we might have wanted to buy. Yet, we hope you liked that Irish linen tablecloth, or that silk whatchamaeallit. or that set of china. For us Gib meant going home. We saw our friends in the Sixth Fleet being relieved at Gibraltar and we viewed with a jaundiced eye those boots who were ju.st arriving from the States. Thank goodness there are only three weeks left for us. The ROCK — ■ - — - J, Gib ' s Harbor. The Prudential Sign(?). It ' s a long way up. iiii ' nf ' ' oJkmSnMI.. No bull here. While the ship was moored in Gibraltar, the crew had an opportunity to visit Spain. Some cf us only reached the border towns of La Linea and Algeciras. Here, we found something of old Spain. The people, dark skinned and friendly ; the streets narrow and crowded ; and the churches, the central attraction. For others there were tours to Seville. Seville represented a more characteristic view of the ancient land from which Columbus left on his voyage of discovery. Rolling hills, sloping meadows, tilled with vividly colored wild flowers, olive groves, grain fields and orchards served as the background for the peaceful, ever- white haciendas. W e were reminded of our Mexican neighbors. In Seville we found a city of 400,000 in- habitants. Little Rome, as Caesar termed it, was formerly the leading city in the trade with th Americas. At Seville we found a simple beauty expressed in the Cathedral of St. Ferdi- nand and the Giralda Tower. Across the Guad- alquivir River was the bull ring. From her archi- tecture to her colorful national sports, Spain was all we could have hoped for. And, oh, yes, before we pa.ss on to other topics it would seem only fair to mention that the charming senoritas and the Spanish night life need not take a back seat to the gaietv of Paris or the Riviera. SPAIN SARDINIA Shrimp boat ' s a«coming. Hey neighbor, how the bitin ' ? Can this be Porter? It can. Ai« Marine ' s at Menton, France Services. Marine Detail Honors Our War DEAD on Me« morial Day. Memorial Day in FRANCE France speaks In Memory of Our War Dead. French Honor (luard at Menton. t. ' . If ' .: - ' ;t .£mL T iJiMiSr i ' Mf Ji Those Who Died Here Shall Not Have Died in Vain. Hello, Sailor. ' Fleet landing, but that ' s no liberty boat. c ?i TiEs Exerjone hit the beach. fy . ' T ' ' .-• ' :- y r f Even on liberty thej man the boats. A new way to go to the beach. i fl vV Operations — Navigation relaxs at Marinos Beach. Awgee, is the M-Boat back so soon? ' ••« ' - ' ■■, ■ i , S!r S5S - ii USS Shenandoah (AD.26) arrives at Naples. Happy days are here again. Roll out the carpet for the relief. Vice Admiral Cassady inspects the honor guard. ■ ' ,t;. ' ,)m ' - ' ' OUR RELIEF The USS Shenandoah arrived at Naples, Italy, 8 June. Our gang manned the rail to greet the boys from the States. In one dav we were re= lieved and on our way home. Gosh, it wasn ' t such a bad cruise after all. • ■ ' - tte iiin ' . ' HRV ,H ?« you ' ve Just Beom our Cruise fn JM. j3eiOTe oure Inml M I .-Btej n ' a i? n Hope the Shenandoah gets on as well as we did. Can we make it home by the 2Ist? Captain Toi% ' ner Captain Mott Captain Freeman T h f I I  Left to right: Bailey CDR, McCrone CDR, Jackson LtCDR, Slo= cum LtCDR, Rice Lt., Keliey Lt., Oulahan LtCDR, Hagan Lt., Arthur Lt., Allen Lt., Chaplain Hayes. Service Force 6th Fleet STOREKEEPERS First row, kneeling, left to right: Hvmes SKSN, Lind SK3, Peterson skSN. Maruzzelli SKSN, Robin, son SKQSA, Poe SKSN, Noble SK2, Elliot SKSN; second row: Hill SK3, Shockley DKSN, Vaccari SK3, Hartman SKSN, Boonstra DK2, Stevens SN, Blomberg SK3, Collins SK3, Jorett SKSN, Gar- gano SKSN; third row: Perna SK3, Wilkins DK2, Davenport SK3, Lund SKC, McManus ENS, SC, Olson LT, SC, Allen DKC, Qvda SK2, C. Schwartz SKSN, D. Schwartz SKSN. f ? S DIVISION SHIP ' S SERVICE First row, kneeling: Zazzera SK2, Trembley SK3, Malero SH3, Mancini SHSN, Johnson SHSN, Wiers SHSN, Rouh SHSN; second row: Stahl SH2, Henslev SHl, Farren SH3, Van Horn SHSN, Maz- zarella SHSN, Lovette SHl, Whall SHSN, Sarday SHSN, Poole SH2; third row: Macri SHSN, Gollie SH2, Beardon LEDR, SC, Jacobs CHPLCK, Courtright SHC, Bassett SHl, Sorenson SK3, Johnson SHl. Front row, left to right: Feige SKSN, Pies CS2, Way CS3, Sim- mers CS3; middle row: Williams CHPCLK, Dessi CSl, Schhckman CSSN, Ellis CSSN, Pira CSSN, Caron CSI, Stewart CSSN; back row: Markee CSC, Before CS3, Ooodspeed CSSA, Stefanic CSSN, Panzner CSSN, Danko CSC, USN, 32 years. STEWARD ' S MATES First row, kneeling: Leonguer= rero SD3, Lang TN, Cortez TN; standing: Ferguson SDl, Beard TN. Huddeson TN, Fortt TN; standing, second row: Brown SD2, Clemens TN, Crawford TN, Manning SDl, Wilson TN, McArthur TN. t ' i a • ' ' J J 4TH DIVISION MACHINE SHOP CREW First row, left to right: Schofie.d MR2, Whalen MRFN, Lein MRl, Lane MR3, KiLemmo MRl, Ma= son MR2, Goots MRFN, Sa- bedra MMFN, Strangman MR2; second row: Polo MR2, Qummo MR2, Young MRFN, Havenstein MR2, Laudet MR3, Carnucci MR2, Milano MR3, Qambuzza MRFN, Hill MRFN, Davison MRC; third row: Kreiner MR2, Lohkemper MR3, Biz- zel MMLl, Fisher MR2, House MMLl, Gindrup MRFN, Embres MR3, Alio- way MML3, Hite MMFN. 4TH DIVISION BOILER SHOP, FOUNDRY REFRIGERATION SHOP, PHOTO LAB, TYPEWRITER SHOP AND PRINT SHOP First row, left to right: Bannister BTl, Jones BTI, Qorlorski BT2, Mitchell LIl, Pearn MMR2, De= Smith DM3, Garris PHSN; second row: Theilike ML3, Fletcher BT3, Bohlander ML3, Latnpel MLFN, Garrison PI3, Marr DMS2, Stine LI3, Phillip PI3; third row: Ki= mond IM2, Reynolds MLC, Fischer LISN, Dissman LISN. ■Ijh- : «re i ' tl . - FIFTH DIVISION FIFTH DIVISION Bottom row, left to right: Tapp MEI, Varga DCFN, Nail ME2, Bright MEGl, Goodnight FP2, Latawiec MEFN, Rusak MEl, Carlson MEFN, Turner SN, Hill MEFN, Nash MEC, Clawson MEC, Garris MEC, Winfrey FPC; mid= die row: Caraway MECl, Gigerich ME02, Harkness ME3, Sitz ME3, Pilote MEFN, VanHorn MEl, Sa- lerno SN, Flanagan FPFN, Mc- Bride FPFN, Covington FPl, Brown DCl, Monts ME3; stand- ing: Clements DCFN, Kiley MEFN, Battista ME2, Pognant FPFN, Gorton MEl, Hebert DCl, Bot- w i n i c k M E 3 , Hollingsworth MEQI, Loupe FP2, Orzolek MEQl, Beauchamp FPFN, Rumsey FPFN, Probst MEC2, Ennis FP2, Arland PM3, Smith DCFN, Hinchey PMl, Hostetter DCl, Ziemke SN, Butz BM2, Chandler DC, Gumdrum, jr., MEC, Rowe DCC, Cooley DCC. SIXTH DIVISION First row, left to right: Reynolds GUN., Gray TMl, Feessar 0M2, Gulick 0M3, Suha SN, Ehrman SN, Beadenkopf TM2, Blessins OMl, Snider SN, Breslin GMC, Bohre OMC; second row: Davis TMC, Jamba TMl, Bell TM2, Baker SN, Whitaker TM2, Mc= ClaiaSN, Punchur SN, Lapp TM3, Brown 0 V13, Chapman GM3, Car= rigan FCl, Keading QMl, Roatcap OMC; third row: McAtee TMC, Russell SN, Sciebek TM3, New= man TMl, Moore 0M2, Banlos FC2, Gieger FC3, Rectenwald SN, Antoni TMl, Burgess 0M2, Clark TM2, Benegas GMl, Fletcher OMC. SIXTH DIVISION Back row, left to right: Moody, C. J. Chreiec, Dersin. C. Chreiec, Holcome 1C3, Du Hamel ET3, Fager IC2, Rennell EAIFN, Cur- ran ET2, Ehm ET2, Borden EM2, Fuchs E.M2, Zanden ICFN, Star- kev ETSN. Wilcox ECFN, Aloore Ef2, Dinsmore ETSN. Dixon ETl; middle row: Staller E.MF.N, Qeier VN3, Carson ET2, Otremskv E.M2, Ross E.M2. Rilev E,M2, Noble EMFN, Bernstein E.MFN, Hedland EMC; front row: Cook 1C2, Page ICFN, Vickroy ET2, Swaithis E.Ml, Rvan SN, Qermains EMFN, Sharp E.M3, Powell ET3, Garde ET3, Herring EH2, House EMC, Bonnette lEC, Fisher ETC. THIRD DIVISION 4 i First row, left to right: Reichardt RMSN, Pritchard RMSN, Scrog- gins PNSN, Back PN3, Collings YN3, Easter YNSN, Brown TESN, VV ' iedenhoffer, RMSN; second row: Hobson RMSN, Dunn PNSN, Ferro PN3, Shea YN3, Kennedy PNSN, Ringelberg YN3, Jacheinski YN3, Beach TE3, Cox YN2, Roberts YNTC; standing: DuPont ENS., O ' Brien RMSN, Lingle RM3, Rus- sell RM3, Hawely RMSN, Gebo RMSN, Morris YNSN, Rabel YN2, Russell RMSN, Salamone RMSN, Kung TESN, Forbes RMl, Merusi RMSN. Bottom row, left to right: Bowles QMl, Davis QMSN, Teachenor SN, Alfieri QM3, Arnold QM3, Newborn 0.MS3, Care SA, Rossi SA, tiauhaas ETl; second row: John 0M3, Stephenson SN, Schu= arv SN, Melia RD3, Patterson SN, Walhinshan QMSN, Haas S02, Searles ETSN, Singler ED ET3, Gowen ENS; third row: Brady SN, Allen SOSN, McQard RDSN, Martin RD3, Fiala QM3, Wisbar SN, Kliniger SN. Back row, left to right: Moxon Lt. Cdr., MC. USN, Krant Lt., MC. USNR, Lavton HMC, Powell HM2, Dunbar HM2, Hartley HMI, Fil lion HIN; front row: Sabatine SN, Horton SN, Wynock HM2, Gun= ther HM3, Johnson HM3. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT _ _ CHIEF MASTER AT ARMS McKinney MEC, Harless BTC, Pathroff MEC, Ken- nedy CSC, McCroary PIC, Everett BMl. ' W-- ' ii.. J : k  v j -f ■ '  ' ..A . DENTAL DEPARTMENT 1 DIVISION Standing, left to right: Harwood LTJG, Jenkins DTC, Porter DTl, Midkiff DT2, Krah DTl, Dolliver LT., Qoodell CDR.; kneeling: Divinski DN, Cato DT3, Smith DT3, Hunchak DNSN, Stillman DN. TRANSPORTATION DIVISION First row, left to right: Newsome ENC, Shook ENl, Sohinski MMC, Kostos ENl, McQill LT. Second row: Talbot FN, Moser EM2, Barr EN3, Jones MEl. SHIPS COMPANY ELECTRICIANS E DIVISION Bottom row, left to right: E. C. Gable EM3, C. J. Qbur FN, H. A. Cardwell EM2, E. Schelling FN, J. P. Santolupo FN. Center row: Mr. Trouland ELECT, W. B. Curll EM.?, B. W. Ritchey EM2, J. F. Syracuse FN, J. R. Harp EM2, Q. G. Allen FN, A. S. Wyllie EMC. Top row: H. K. Moser EM2, P. A. Schurr FN, C. E. Noggle IC3, L. A. Dexter FN, S. A. Schaller FN, D. J. QIatz IC3. First row: Peters FN, Moberly FPI, Hayes DCl, Fortin ME2, Middlebrooks FP2, Morris FN, Weeks, W. E. R., FP2, McOill LT. Second row: Weeks, D. E., FN, Mahoney DC2, Griswold MEl, Jones MEl, Sawyers ME3, Grant ME2, Renault FN, Buzbee MEl. JS t v 99 and ' ' « D IV i SI ON ' ;mnr First row, left to right: Sloan MMC, Heigh MM2, Millstead MM2, Daves FN, Falk MM2, Oliver MMC. Second row: Miski FN, Miller FN, Stevens FN, Lanan MMl, Rogers MMl. Third row: Ledbetter CHMAC, Nail FN, Paver FN, Mearms FN, Skinner FN, Maleskv MM3. First row, left to right: Thomas BTl, Beckovich FN, Baker BT2, Colly BT3, Black FN, Key BT2, Nolen BTC. Second row: Ledbet- ter CHM, Vaughn BTC, Chadman FN, Jeno BT3, King FN, Soska BT3, Royer FN, Taylor BT2, Stokes BTC. f}l i Q ' ' M DIVISION f % l lM. niiMix t Front row, left to right: McLain FC3, Ferreira YNSN, Fowley YN= SN, Bentley SN, Lanni SN, Potts SN, Uibiallaro FCSN, Langley SN. Second row: Hacker QMC, Dar- nell SN, Linne BM2, Jones QM!, Cooper OMSN, Schloder SN, Wehner QMl, Samson SN, Davis SN, Harding SN. Third row: San- guini SN, Srevens GM3, Doll BM- SN, Simmons BMSN, Machac QMSN, Rossetti SN, LeBarron GMSN, Bloomquist BMSN, Coen BMI, Sheppard BMC. FIRST DIVISION Front row, left to right: Turner SN, Oaskey SN, Strubli SN, Sasso SN, Henneberg SN, Harkness SN, Q. W. Early CHBOSN, Condo SN, Levenhagen SN, Miller SN, HamiU ton SN, Keisling BMSN, Gregory SN. Second row: Kules SN, Grab BM3, Kretzer GMN, Mongrello SN, Frissora SN, Hanes BMl, Lee SN, Blain BM2, Bentley SN, Smith, R. H. Leonard BMSN, Gagne BM3, Myers BM3. Third row: Olden SN, Allis SN, Powell SN, Mull SN, Getman SN, Goud= reau SN, Hafner SN, Schmid GM3, Ramsey SN, Conden GM3. - - ' : -• Front row, left to right: Sabol SN, Smith, G. SN, Shue SN, Shue= mate SN, Woifrum S.N, Royse SN, Zidwick SN, Vanroy SN, San= tore SN. Second row: Sorenson SN, Vannortwick SN, Stuckey SN, Schmidt SN, Cooper SN, Dolcart SN, Rosario SN, Stefinica SN. Third row: Nolz GMC, McCuen FC3, Gilbert GMl, Mims QM3, Farrington GM3, Harrison GMSN, Veazie, E. E., GAISN, Fov QM3, Spellacv GMSN, Wahler GMSN, Veazie, S. F., GMSN, Griggs FCSN. liofsess, SN. Front row, left to right: Solensky SN, Woodward SN, Stites SN, Krokowski SN, Russell SN, Sharp SN, Kellv SN. Second row: Seek- nger SN, Penn SN, Quick SN, Aldrich SN, Thielbar SN, Kobylus SN, Poirior SN, Kesling SN. Third row: Noble BMC, Dooley BM2, Keith BMl, Thomashefski BMl, Schrodle BM3, Lekes BM3, Kra= jecki BM3, Yielding BM3, Jones, E. Q., BM3. SECOND DIVISION Under the consistent managinf; of Keith BMl, the Canyon Softball team continued on its winning ways on the ' 52 cruise. In the Med. the team played 15 games, having its three year winning streak in the iled. stopped in the 15th game for a record of 14-1 for the cruise. It had previously taken on all comers and an unbeaten record since the ' 49 cruise. Most of the credit can be given to Keith who got the team under- way early in the ' 51 season and after a shaky start took second place in the Norfolk City League, won the Deslant Championship and went down to the last straw to become run- ners-up for the Atlantic Fleet Championship, losing the final game to Servlant. It was the consistent pitching of ace Walt Latawiec and the heavy bats of ] Ioose Merusi, Dad Darcy, ilac ]McDermott, and Bill Jones that led the way to the championship. Latawiec earned a respect- able 19-5 record for the year and !Merusi and Darey led the batters with a batting average of .365 each. The team now comes back to the states to defend the Deslant Championship with only three regulars from the 51 starting lineup. Good luck to them. Uintorff o Ihp II S S« «ii K A . D r A . Y O . ( A D - 2 « ) The GRAND CANYON is a dastreyar tander of tha AO-Sd class, named after the beautiful wattern landmark. Autherixad 17 June 1943, the ship was built by tha lake Washington Ship- yard, Houghton, Washington. The keel was laid 23 November 1944. Under the sponsorship of Mrs. W. L. Mann, she was launched on 27 April 1945, and first commissioned S April 1946. The mission of the GRAND CANYON is to provide logistic support to destroyers. Under the command of her first com- manding officer. Captain H. D. HOOVER, the GRAND CANYON left Washington in June of 1946, for Son Diego and a brief shakedown period off the sunny coast of Southern California. In July, the ship was underway for Newport, Rhode Island, via the Panama Canal to start on her assigned task of keeping destroy- ers in operating condition. September of 1946, saw the start of the first cruise to the Mediterranean. The itinerary included o short visit in Palermo, Sicily, followed by a four and a half giving 1949, saw the GRAND CANYON back in Norfolk until tha end of February 1950, when a run was mode to Key West, Florida to render tender services to the destroyer-escorts based there. From the beginning of May until the middle of July, the GRAND CANYON underwent its second yard overhaul at Boston, Massachusetts. While in the Naval Shipyard in Boston, Captain CONNELLEY was relieved by Captain FEE on the 7th of June. Then, except for a short period of Individual Ship Exercises, the ship remained alongside the dock at Norfolk until departing once again in October 1950 for Mediterranean duty. The GRAND CANYON ' S log shews that she visited Italy, Greece, France, Gibraltar, Crete, Sicily, Turkey, and North Africa. The vessel touched at such historic ports as Naples, Athens, Augusta, Ismir, Bixerte and Oran. Once again, the GRAND CANYON returned to Norfolk in March 1951, after successfully completing her Mediterranean mission of Good Will and defense. During the stay in her home port, the tender was honored with the award of the Navy BoHle EfRciancy E , issued by Com- mander Destroyer Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet on IB August 1951. While she won awards for hard work, the ship proved she could also sustain herself in the field of athletics. Her crew won tha Atlantic Destroyer Force Softball Championship at Norfolk, 16-20 August 1951, and then went on to finish runner-up in the Atlantic Fleet Championships. The GRAND CANYON also presented tha Destroyer Force with the runner-up cup in the Atlantic Fleet swimming meet, held at Norfolk, 9-10 July 1951. On 7 September 1951, Captain G. E. FCE, USN, was relieved by Captain J. D. SWEENEY, USN. In February, the GRAND CANYON returned to the Mediter raneon with her new Captain and her new laurels. Since her arrival at Naples, Italy on II February 1952, the ship has sailed month stay at Naples, Italy. The return trip included the ports of Gibraltar, Tangiers in North Africa, and finally NOB, Norfolk, Virginia, where she arrived the first of March 1947. At the end of June, Captain E. R. SPERRY reported aboard to relieve Captain HOOVER. In November, with the new skipper and many new faces in the crew, the GRAND CANYON commenced her second Mediter- ranean cruise with the Sixth Task Fleet. This lime, the ports of call were Gibraltar; Naples, Italy; Augusta, Sicily; Tarento, Italy; and Algiers, North Africa. Early in March 1948, the GRAND CANYON again took leave of the European Theater, this time for the Boston Naval Shipyard for regular yard availability. Not long after reaching the home port of Norfolk in July 1948, Captain COFER relieved Captain SPERRY as commanding officer. The GRAND CANYON ' S return for Mediterranean duty came up in August and lasted through the month of December. Except for the always visited port of Naples, the route covered some new spots, Golfe Juan, France; Argostoli, Greece; Athens, Greece; Sfax, Tunisia; and Bixerte, Tunisia. The stop at Golfe Juan en- abled those who desired to make side trips to such famous places OS the French Riviera and Paris. Before leaving for Norfolk in December, Michaelangelo ' s Statue of David was placed aboard by Professor Bruno Malejole on a six month loan to the United States from the Italian Government. At Norfolk, the statue was placed ashore and once again the ship went back to its un- glamorous job of tending destroyers. In June 1949, Captain COFER was relieved by Captain CON- NELLEY, and in July the GRAND CANYON headed back to Naples to return the statue of David. The other Mediterranean ports visited were Gibraltar; Athens, Greece; Golfe Juan, France; Argostoli, Greece; and Suda Bay, Crete. In addition, those inter- ested were able to make tours to Paris and Pompeii. Thanks- the Mediterranean as the flagship of Commnder Service Force, SIXTH Fleet. During this period, she has sailed from Istanbul to Gibraltar; from Cannes to Bone and has touched three continents and four countries. The ship ' s repair force has continued servic- ing destroyer units of the SIXTH Fleet in the same manner in which she so successfully carried out her assigned mission in Norfolk. In addition, the Repair Department has undertaken the more difficult task of serving submarines and larger units of the fleet. As a unit of Service Force, the GRAND CANYON has learned to play the role of a service unit underway and has par- ticipated in some of the largest peace-time service operations undertaken to date. On 9 June, 1952 the GRAND CANYON sailed for heme once more to resume her ' normal tasks with Commander Destroyer Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. i