Greenwich Bay (AVP 41) - Naval Cruise Book

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View of Port Said Harbor. - -■ l-iP ■ -I Entering the Suez Canal. Monument at the canal entrance.

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Anglo-Egyptian disputes in the Suez Canal area were dark indeed as we tied up at Suez on 17 October to await our con- voy and transit the canal. That very day riots had occurred at Ismalia. Some peo- ple were killed. We had waited out the Abadan troubles and they did not interfere with our scheduled departure from the Gulf. Now, what would happen at the Canal? Would we be delayed? Would traffic be stopped before we cleared the Canal? Would we be turned back, to go home via the Cape of Good Hope? These thoughts were running through our minds --and we kept our fingers crossed! The movement of British ships (lower left) only increased our concern. The scheduled hour for our transit arrived --but no pilot had arrived aboard. We ' ve had it! For forty-five minutes our morale struck an all-time low. Then off the starboard bow appeared a small boat- - and our pilot. We ' re underway!! We made the transit (lower right) and the statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps (above), at the Mediterraean end of the Canal, was a pleasant and welcome sight. No more wars and rumors of war now stood between us and home.

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When the Greenwich Bay arrived at Port Said one of the most interesting and amusing things that the crew enjoyed, was the abundance of Eygptian bum- boats . They flocked around the ship, as can be seen in the pictures, like flies to a cake of honey. Many fine bargains can be made here in leather goods and other small household articles.