Isherwood (DD 520) - Naval Cruise Book

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operations, and it was here that we first got a ghmpse of the Chinese women and their slit skirts — very fascinating. Despite the lack of recreational facilities there was the E.M. Club and Bingo on Wednesday evenings (none of the crew won anything) and also the usual bazaars with their fabulous bargains. While some of us were partial to Kao-hsiung, most of us were more interested in our next port-of- call, Hong Kong, and the day wasn ' t too soon when we departed Kao-hsiung enroute for Hong Kong. From Formosa we completed the journey in a matter of twenty-one hours, and as we en- tered the mouth of the harbor a thrill of ex- pectancy seemed to engulf the whole ship. This was the acme of our cruise, a really large port that embodied all of the enchantment, mystery, and sybaritic luxury of the Far East. As with other ships, the main attractions in Hong Kong were the tailor-made suits, the hand-made boots, and the ivory products that could be purchased there. Perhaps one of the most beautiful sights in the city was the Tiger- balm Gardens, located on the side of the cloud-shrouded Peak. These gardens, beau- tiful for the landscaping entailed, held a fabu- lous array of Buddhas, dragons, and statues of the lesser dieties all over-topped by a Chinese pagoda composed of white marble and blue tile, truly the shutter-Bug ' s delight. Here in Hong Kong, a few of the boys went Asiatic , crossed the width of the island, and chowed down at the famous floating restaurants. Since they were located in the midst of hundreds of junks and sampans, the abounding stench made one wonder how a meal, no matter how exotic and well prepared, could be enjoyed. These lads had strong stomachs. Out in the harbor, the ship valiantly pro- tected itself from the onslaughts of bumboats which were heavily laden with cheap sou- venirs. It was fire hoses at twenty paces, and the ship was saved. And so having purchased enough clothing to dress the Navy, the Isher- wood (washed and painted by Mary Soo Cleaners) steamed out of Hong Kong for com- You Mean This Is Secured?

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we crammed in a lot of living, a short but exciting stay. We leave in the early morning, and set our course for Buckner Bay, Okinav a. Upon our arrival towns 1 through 5 opened their doors to us, and we did our bit towards supporting them. Soon, however, the U.S.S. PRINCETON, (CVS-37) loomed over the hori- zon, and we could see more work ahead. So, the Isherwood, skillfully guided by the ping jockeys sailed forth from the Bay to engage two submarines in mock battle. Although there were nine other ships in the screen , the subs seemed to have it in for the Ish, and tried to come through, or should I say under, us every time. Never once did they make it how- ever, and our alert crew receives a well done from the Admiral. So, having completed our operations, off we go to Sasebo. We arrive in Sasebo just in time to see one of our old friends of the Med , the U.S.S. BALTIMORE (CA-68) pull out for places un- known. Actually we were not overly sad at their departure, for less sailors mean lower prices as per the law of supply and demand. This was to be our first long stay in a Japa- nese port, and by far the most enjoyable. Here were to be found all manner and variety of souvenirs such as China, kimonos, music boxes, ivory products, fans; anything that a curio hunter could ask for. To make our stay more enjoyable, the Ish was committed to dry dock for repairs to her screws. It was great not having to wait on Liberty boats, especially so since it was the rainy season as well as Cherry Blossom time. Later, after repairs had been effected, we moved back out to the ten- der for the remainder of our stay. Again many of the crew became infatuated with the Mad- ame Butterflys of Sasebo, and again it was a somewhat saddened crew that departed Sasebo for Formosa Patrol. We head south again for what appears to be a repetition of our activities in the Tachen area. Fortunately, however. Condition III watches and General Quarters were kept to the required minimum. While on patrol, the port of Kao-hsiung, Formosa was our base of s '

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i • ■ ■ — . -I •! — — • pletion of Formosa Patrol. Upon completion of Patrol we headed for brief but satisfying stays at Hiroshima and Kobe. Here at Hiroshima, the main attraction was, of course, the site of the first A-Bomb blast, which, on 6 August 1945, completely devastated the city. Today, with the exception of one gutted building, left as a memorial to that fateful date, the scars have been erased; and the city is a bustling, prosperous, metropolis. Kobe, the Pittsburgh of Japan, was far and away the most cosmopolitan of the Japanese sea ports that we had visited. Here, we found department stores, movies, and restaurants comparable to those found in the States. Also, some of us were fortunate enough to visit Kyoto, the spiritual home of the Japanese, and site of the major religious shrines and temples. One of the more memorable events of our visit to Kobe was open house on Armed Forces Day. We were overwhelmed by the curiosity and enthusiasm of the Japanese people as they thoroughly examined the Isherwood, and thanks to the courtesy and politeness of the guides, the day passed without mishap leav- ing an atmosphere of mutual good-will. As we left Kobe and headed north toward Yokosuka, our pulses were quickened by the realization that this saga was nearing com- pletion, and that soon we would be headed back to the States and our loved ones. How- ever, we still had the port of Yokosuka to visit and Commodore ' s inspection to pass. So, after docking in Yokosuka, all hands busily turned to intent upon making our ship Ichi-ban in the squadron. It was not wasted effort, for, on the day of inspection, the Isherwood was immac- ulate from stem to stern, bright-work shim- mered in the sunlight, freshly painted bulk- heads supplied an added vitality, and the crew, faultlessly decked out in their dress can- vas, impatiently awaited the Commodore ' s arrival. Bosuns ' pipes whistle and the word is passed; COMDESRON 21 arriving! The honor guard snaps to attention; the Commodore