Hawkins (DD 873) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 83 text:

CRUISE BOOK ift.it. Head Photographer D. G. CARTWRIGHT Photo Editor D. M. STORANDT Business Manager E. C. TRINDADE Photography and Layout R. N. PATTERSON Photography W. C. PROW i V STAFF Officer Co-Ordinator ENS. S. E. VEAZEY Editor G. H. MADDEN Layout and Art L. B. CrNNlNGHAM Typist J. F. HEALEY, JR. ' W, We wish to thank all those not mentioned above who contributed their photos, ideos, and typing talent. The captoin ' s arranging for Sorotogo ' s photographer Mcle to visit us helped tremendously. We hope you enjoy the book as much as we enjoyed producing if.

Page 82 text:

Dear Mom and Dad, We are fast approaching home now as we near the mid-Atlantic. So far the crossing has been a little rough, but we don ' t mind as we dream of 26 February and our arrival. All in all it was a good cruise, but there were some weary sailors on those 207 mid- watches. And even though we are a healthy bunch, the doc gave out some 15,000 APC ' s. So far we have refueled 48 times and we still have one more time to go before we reach Newport. According to the Log Room Yeoman we took on 2,494,141 gallons of fuel oil and steamed about 40,510 miles on it. In those 6 times of replenishing at sea we took on 35 tons of Navy hotdogs and other assorted foods. Included in this tonnage is 6,440 lbs. of coffee which we figure works out to some 225,400 cups. Furthermore, the mailman claims we received 13,600 lbs. of mail on board while we sent out 9,000 lbs. Disbursing gave us $140,447 during the cruise, but we can ' t account for it all. MILLER, our ship ' s store operator, says the coke machine sold almost 60,000 cokes to us. At the same time he sold 47,149 candy bars, 80,600 packages of cigarettes, and a few cigars. The fact that over 8,009 messages were received by Radio Central proves that we were busy during these past 7 months. Consequently, it will be good to get back home on leave. and just relax. Your son, It was an enjoyable experience for me to work with the HAWKINS during a portion of the Mediterranean cruise. The fine spirit of teamwork so characteristic of the crew made it easy to step in and feel a part of the whole. At times, I submitted myself to your good skill at the high-line — hoping that you were preferring transferring chaplains to sleeping in on Sunday mornings. At other times we were having it out in character discussions — which you wete not quite sure why you had to attend. These, and our opportunity to worship God together, will not soon be forgotten by myself. I trust that the truths which we explored together on this cruise may be of lasting significance to each of you. At Sea 19 February I960 Chaplain L. O. Seegers

Page 84 text:

HOME AT LAST! FROM THE CAPTAIN: This is the day we ' ve been looking forward to since we left home last August. It ' s good to be back. It ' s also a little saddening, however, to see the break-up of a truly fine destroyer crew. It is my personal belief that, during our Med tour, the HAWKINS showed herself to be not only the best DDR, but also the best all-around destroyer in the Sixth Fleet. Outstanding performance in each operation and superb ship and equip- ment reliability, due to your very hard work and en- thusiasm, resulted in many special assignments and in many words of praise from our seniors. To the best crew I have had the privilege of workin g with, ' WELL EMDNE; and good luck to those leaving us.