Hale (DD 642) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 7 text:

As the HALE approaches Brenton Reef lightship from where we took departure my thoughts are the joyous thoughts which only a sailor can know as his ship comes home after a long successful voyage. It has been a good cruise. I am fortunate to have been able to share it with you. As your skipper I will always remember it with happy memories, be- cause thanks to yourgood spirit and hard work the HALE per- formed her mission in the Far East in a most commendable manner. It is difficult to single out any one group or indiv- idual for special praise, so successfully have we operated as a ship ' s company: but because the outstanding record of the engineers was so important to the very life of the ship, and because their can do spirit was so typical of the HALE, I want especially to commend them — they spe arheaded the the success of our cruise with their magnificent operating through fair and foul when hearts less stout and plants less loved were failing along the way. I have thoroughly enjoyed being shipmates with all of you. I will remember many things about this cruise - the ports of visit from Yokosuka to Barce- lona - the storms we weathered - the emergencies we faced together and overcame. But more than anything else I will remember the spirit of the HALE and of her crew. To my wife who courageously shouldered a tremendous responsibil- ity for me at the time of my father ' s death, thereby making it possible for me to bring the ship home, I dedicate my share of this book. To God with whose help we have all come home safely I bow my head in thanks.

Page 9 text:

r Well we arrived at Panama after a fueling stop at Cuba. Went through the first three locks and into Gatun Lake that hot morning feeling like that guy Balboa, who discovered the Pacific. Had a fresh water washdown from stem to stern, but a Bos ' n ' s mate first class we had on board then found out there wasn ' t any salt in the water and went completely ape... That afternoon we got through the other three locks and pulled into Panama City. There wasn ' t much for the sightseers, but the night owls had a ball. There must have been some kind of an art show in town cause I remember a buddy of mine saying something about an exhibition....