Gunston Hall (LSD 5) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 34 text:

THE BLUE PACIFIC WAS NOT SO BLUE Towards the end of the second day at sea, old timers nodded toward the thin, grey bank of clouds that stretched across the western hor- izon and predicted rough weather ahead. And they were right. The following morning brought rain, lashing wind, and green seas. Almost immediately the ship began to roll. In the galley, pots and pans clattered, cooks slipped, and milk and coffee flowed freely from one end of the compartment to the other. Elswhere men toppled from their bunks, clung frantically to ladders, leaped for falling pic- tures and ink bottles, despondently munched crackers, and swore. And each time we were certain the last roll had been the biggest roll yet. Somewhere about six days out of Yokosuka, the wind subsided, the sea flattened out, and everyone settled down to normal eating and learning to walk again without the aid of a hand rail. However, we soon discovered how unpredictable the Pacific can be. We entered a storm area two days later that surpassed in ev- ery way our first encounter with heavy seas. Some still insist the clinometer registered 43 de- grees on one roll and few of us will bother to deny it. When the GUNSTON HALL finally steamed into the calm, protecting waters of Yokosuka Harbor, and the anchor settled firmly on the bottom of the bay, it was a great relief to all hands. It had been a long journey. And as ample reward most of us turned in for some good sleep. 30

Page 33 text:

They were a quiet group of men that stood at quarters at 0915 when the ship slipped slow- ly away from the North Island dock and edged out into the stream. No noise, no more kid- ding, no half-hearted jokes. Just quiet. Faces on the dock were fast becoming blurs. Hands no longer waved. The goodbyes were over. Now the Ensign flap- ped steadily in the wind, the propellers churned, and Berth Mike was blending into the rest of the skyline. On the bridge the quartermas- ter bent over his log. Under- way en route San Diego, Cali- fornia, to Yokosuka, Japan. Steering various courses and speeds to conform with the channel. Captain has the conn. Navigator on the bridge. And then he looked up. And the crew did too. We stood si- lently and watched the ship leave the familiar land marks behind us. Steaming smoothly through the water we passed Shelter Island, Ballast Point, Coronado Roads, and finally Point Loma. And at 1030 we set a course of 260 and headed out into open sea for Yokosuka, 7000 miles away.

Page 35 text:

BUT WE HAD OUR HAPPY HOURS 31