Greenwich Bay (AVP 41) - Naval Cruise Book

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Shaikhs and Amirs were fre- quent callers to the ship. The one feared most by his sub- jects was Amir Saud bin Jilewi (above) of Al Hasa province who visited the ship at Dam- mam. The Amirs and Shaikhs rule their territories and sub- jects with an iron hand as they serve as both judge and jury. Official visits are part of the regular fare for a flagship much to the dislike of the sideboys. Each visit means a return visit and Rear Admiral Felt (above) prepares the board the British frigate HMS Flamingo at Mena al Ahmadi, Kuwait. Captain R. H. Courage, RN, com- manding officer of the ship comes down the gangway to meet him. The British Navy was well represented in the Gulf area due to the troubled situation in Iran. Many friendships were made by the GB men with the Royal Navy sailors while enjoying their Limey beer together. The hottest place on earth is said to be Mus- cat on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. A three day visit there in late May bore this out. His highness Said bin Taimur, sultan of Muscat and Oman (r.) was a visitor to the ship at Muscat. The children of Muscat were entertained on board with ice cream and movies. This was the first time many of the children had eaten ice cream and from the looks on their faces they hoped it would not be their last.

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Over 50 days were spent at Bahrein during our six months cruise in the Middle East. Bahrein served as our unofficial home away from home while in the Persian Gulf. Our supply ships were met here and mail was flown over to us from Dhahran Airfield in the Middle East Force ' s RAD. The shopping district in Manama, the capital of Bahrein, was the scene of many shopping parties. Due to the low levy on imports many bargains could be obtained there. Jufair, the British Naval Base on Bahrein, provided a place for recreation parties. Their swimming pool was a welcome spot on those Persian Gulf dog days . The ice cold beer brought over from the ship was just as welcome. Bahrein was the first port we hit in the Gulf (April A) after an 8800 mile trip from the States. It was also the last port (October A) we were at before leaving for Norfolk by way of Massawa, Genoa, Villefranche and Gibraltar. Bahrein is the scene of the Bahrein Petroleum Co. Ltd. (Bapco). Bapco is owned by Standard of California and the Texas Co., each with equal shares. Bapco and the Arabian American Oil Co. (Aramco) are the only two oil enterprises in the Middle East owned exclusively by American capital. Much of the fuel that the GB used in the six months in the area was taken on at Sitra. Receiving concessions from Bapco is Shaikh Sulman bin Hamad a! Khalifah, Ruler of Bahrein. The brother of the Ruler, Shaikh Mubarak bin Hamid (above) returned an official visit to the ship. Fourth of July was celebrated at Ras al Misha ' ab with a beach party arranged for the crew by Aramco. Ras al Misha ' ab is the scene of the sky-hook extending two miles from shore and used during the building of Tapline for hauling in pipes from ocean going freighters. Tapline is the pipeline extending from Abqaig, Saudi Arabia to Sidon, Lebanon a distance of 1,067 miles. Anr.ong the visitors to the ship was the Amir of Ras al Misha ' ab, Mohammed ibn Khuwaiter (above). Capt. Williams, Sir Rupert Hay, Rear Admiral Felt and Lt. Weible are shown during Sir Rupert ' s visit to the GB. He serves at the British Political Resident at Bahrein. Under tready arrangements Bahrein ' is independent but enjoys the protection of Great Britian in exchange for certain diplomatic and commercial rights. The Political Resident at Bahrein oversees the activities of the various political agents throughout the Persian Gulf area.

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Another distinguished visitor, Amir Abdul Muhsin bin Jilewi of Dammam, with his at- tendents and interpreter are given the 64 dollar tour of the ship by Captain Williams.