Haynsworth (DD 700) - Naval Cruise Book

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NAPLss 1rALY Naples gives claim to occupying the most beautiful site in Europe. Located on the northern shore of the Bay of Naples and with a population of approximately 1,0l5,000, it is the third largest city in Italy, nestling almost at the foot of famous Mount Vesuvius. It may be recalled that this once active volcano was the means ol' completely covering the ancient city of Pompei. Here again we experienced monetary difficulties with our first Contact with Italian Lire at G25 to the dollar. One could scarcely mention Naples without including the Isle of Capri lying at the entrance of the Gulf of Naples, which was the favorite summer resort of the Neapolitans since early Roman times. and still remains one of the tourist attractions of the area featuring excellent beaches and hotels. Many wives, mothers, and sweethearts will enjoy the excellent gloves, cameos, and filligree work obtained in Naples. Naples is! memorable chiefly as the City of Kings having its own lineage as far back as early Roman times. f During a regular sight-seeing tour to Rome a group from the HAYNSWORTI-I was granted a Papal audience at the Vatican. A tour to Pompei and Sorrento was made also by a large percentage 'of the crew. Pompei had the impressiveness of all ancient cities, the observer standing somewhat in awe as .he looked at the remains of what was probably the most cosmopolitan and sophisticated' city in ancient Italy. The ruts worn by chariot Wheels in stone streets some two thousand years ago by other humans causes a moment of reflection on the brevity and impermanence of life. Sorrento was beautiful, but, like Capri, the glorious isle would have been more attractive insummer. It was also in Naples that you want to buy cameo, change money became a constant refrain sung by innumerable men and small boys. , 4 The holidays were observed with caroling on the fantail, Christmas trees fore and aft and Christmas services held in various churches. New Year's celebrations were noisy and to some extent dangerous with constant explosions of firecrackers. The streets and sky were filled with sky rockets and roman candle flares. Tragedy was narrowly averted when a spent bullet struck the OOD while he was standing on the fantail the quarterdeck when using the Mediterranean Moor. On January 3rd, the I-Iaynsworth got underway from Naples with the Waldron enroute to Venice and Trieste.

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auausra, siortv Augusta, our first truly Mediterranean port, was welcomed by all of us a means of replenishment of our 'almost exhausted supplies after over a month of continuous operations. A small agricultural town, still bearing scars of World War Il, Augusta abounded with colorful street vendors and their Wares varying from peanuts to accordians. It might also be recalled that enroute to Augusta we passed close to the island of Stromboli, ffrom the movie of the same namej made famous recently by the World wide publicity accorded it from the Rossellini - Bergman affair. Before heaving into full view of the island its active volcano sent one of our destroyers on a wild goose chase when flares were reported seen by several ships in our task force. After several minutes the Task Force Commander directed a destroyer to investigate the cause and source of the flares. A short time later, after due observation, the destroyer's radio was heard to announce, This is ............, Flares evaluated to be eruptions from the volcano on the island of Strombolin. We were all relieved and somewhat amused over the incident. An hour or so later our force came into full view of the island and the volcano greeted us nobly with a brilliant display of firey splendor. r W After passing through the Straits of Messina we were impressed by the sight of Mount Etna, hovering majestically above us on the starboard side. During our stay in Augusta Bay, the recreation officer arranged tours to Syracuse and Taormina. Both of the cities proved to be rich in historic splendor and cultural beauty. The grand Hnale to the Syracuse tour came at fleet landing with what will be long remembered as the accordian incident .

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Just as we arrived here orders came through from cimeiahaii and reeiiaf mimiiei later the Happy H cracked strut 1.1-fhich was to be repaired by the efficient -Gibraltar Dry Ijceir Gang. Everyone was quite unhappy when these orders appeared for we were If1iSSif1g Out 011 .Some of our bcst Mediterranean liberty. LA srfazia, ir.ai.Y Before lvllorld War Two, La Spezia was Italy's largest naval base, and was being developed into a ccnzizzfrcial port. A Gne of our best tours was organized here, The tour included both of the beautiful and interesting cities of Florence and Pisa. ' Many ships were sunk in the harbor of La Spezia during the War, and the masts of the ones yet removed still protude above the water. The city is clean and Well kept. Many new buildings were in evidence indicating a .positive step toward reconstruction. Towering above the city, some ten miles away, were the beautiful, snow-capped Appenines. A tourist sailinn into the harbor for the first time is struck by the white buildings of the town against the darker background of hills. . Here in La Spezia we made our first Med. Moor. This type of moor can be very tricky, but due to the excellent shiphandling of our skim er ar d pp i fine seamanship of the crew we had no trouble at all. We probably will remember La Spezia best for i , . ' ts 1'eaS0113b19 Prices, good wines, and few girlsg not quite a sailors paradise. S. 3 GENOA, ITALY