Hawkins (DD 873) - Naval Cruise Book

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ITALY f M . 3 ' J ' tu r2 Vece der 959 NAPLES a S fia, taiif The name La Spezia has no dictionary meaning in Italian and the town has no ancient history. Before the war of 1940, La Spezia was the largest Italian naval operating base. Thus the military harbor greatly surpasses in size the mercantile port. The nearby town of Lerici is interesting as a place frequented by the English poet Shelley; several tablets in the town record events concerning Sheik) ' , including that of his death by drowning while enroute from Viareggio to Lerici in a small boat. Near La Spezia is the port of Genoa where Christopher Columbus ' s home still stands. Nearby also is the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and the fascinating city of Florence. In La Spezia, we hjd the second of our two tender periods alongside the USS Yellowstone (AD-27). Also we helped the Italians celebrate the Italian Navy ' s patron saint ' s day of Santa Barbara. After we left La Spezia almost all hands turned to in order to prepare our port side for President Eisenhower ' s review at the end of his whirlwind goodwill tour. On 18 December from the USS DES MOINES, Ike saw our starboard side as we passed in review.

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