Hale (DD 642) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 44 text:

There ' s one big rock right between Spain and Africa that none of us were sorry to see. It meant we were on our way home. We were there just overnight to take on fuel and get the ship ready for the jump to the Azores. We left Gibralter the next day and were damned lucky not to hit rough water all the way to the Ponta Delgada. Just leaving all the cold weather back in Europe we were surprised at the fine weather we hit in Azores. The fueling detail and every- one else were running around in shirt sleeves. We really soaked up the sunshine ' cause most of us knew what the Atlantic was like in the winter. And, brother, we weren ' t wrong.

Page 43 text:

- X ■:.? ■■ . ¥ wm This port was new to the U.S. Navy, for they only started visiting Spain in Fifty-Two and Fifty-Three. From the pier that we tied up at, it didn ' t look like much, but all hands were in ' for a big surprise. Boy, do I wish I woulda taken Spanish in school, like a lot of my bud- dies. They really had it made. We got there a little late in the season for the bullfights, but the nightclubs and their Spanish dancers kinda made up for it. Castinettes, guittars, full- pleated skirts, clicking heels, and flashing eyes made a combination that even made Par- cesepe speechless. This was probably the cheapest liberty on the whole cruise. You know how a swabbie loves his brew. But over there the cognac and brandy were so good that we forgot all about beer. I guess nobody will blame Columbus for making Barcelona his home port.

Page 45 text:

Gun tubs bent, ready boxes ripped off, using the 01 ' level with I if e jackets only, and nothing but soup for lunch. I guess we were lucky to get that. The storm was bad, but with everyone know- ing Newport was only a few days away, we would have rowed that bucket of bolts in if we ' d had to. I don t know how many times our ETA was changed, but finally it was set for 1400 on the 18th ofDecember. Families and relatives were on the dock waiting for the first sight of us coming up the harbor. Even the DESLANT band was standing by. But the time we did get up the harbor there was a small craft warning set in the Newport area. I guess you know what that meant. The ABBOT had one hell of a time making the South Pier at Melville, where we were sup- posed to tie up. After that the order came for us, the BEN- HAM and the HUNT to tie up to Mike 19. The leave party was standing on the Quaterdeck, bag and baggage, soaking wet, waiting for the tugs to come alongside so they could be on their way home. Well, anyway, wet or dry, it still was the good old USA.