LST (491) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 27 text:

THE SHAKEDOWN The patrol boat rammed our starboard side, and as it had a sharp bow, we had a hole to patch. We remained in Halifax about seven days to await the arrival of addi- tional ships for the convoy. The Smoker held at the Royal Navy Gymnasium was quite a success and an en- joyable evening for all who attended. All of the LST's in the harbor sent groups up to play ,basketball and each ship had several entries in the boxing show. There were a number of excellent boxing bouts. Although our Quartermaster Harold Summers boxed beautifully, he was not awarded the decision in his particular bout. The most exciting bout of the evening was between the 49l's entry, Wes Loudon and a cook from the LST 492. Loudon's opponent rushed at him swinging and slug- ging with all he could give. Loudon started to Hght back and iight hard. In about a minute and a half Wes was declared the winner. His opponent was on the deck. He did not sail with the convoy, but was sent to the hospital. During our stay in Halifax we encountered a terriiic blizzard. Plenty of snow fell and the wind was severe. One of the bitts on which our stern lines were secured to the deck, pulled loose from the deck on our fantail, and, as the decks were covered with snow and water, some of the boys sleeping below received an unexpected shower. 13

Page 26 text:

f THE OL, DOUBLE TROUBLE Q t Q an interesting one as we went via Long Island Sound. At Davisville we loaded Seabee equipment and gear. We all had our pictures taken the day Captain Fahnestock was presented the Purple Heart by Captain Lee, the Commanding Officer at Camp Endicott. The Purple Heart was awarded to Lieutenant Fahnestock by the Bureau of Naval Personnel as he had been wounded while serving aboard the U.S.S. Marblehead in the Pa- cific. On February 15 we departed from Davisville, Rhode Island and proceeded to Boston via the Cape Cod Canal. We berthed at the Commonwealth Pier, remaining there only a few days. On February 17 we received Nunes, R., F2!c aboard for duty. On February 18 we left Boston in Convoy for Halifax.' We all en- joyed Bostong the liberty was good is a phrase that was heard from several of the men. And so we were on our way . . . to Halifax . and then on to Europe. Many were leaving their native land for the first time and each was asking himself, I wonder when, and if, I'l1 come back? The trip was uneventful and we made the port of Halifax in about three days. The harbor of Halifax is like a beautiful broad river. It lies between long ranges of hills, guarded by islands wedged into the harbor entrance almost like melons jammed in the mouth of a sack. After proper identification we were permitted to enter the harbor. The water was studded with all types of craft, large and small. There was a bit of confusion on signals between our ship and one of the Canadian Harbor patrol boats. 12

Page 28 text:

A-Gaqhfif 4925 .mwvm 4- Eastward Ho!--Destination U. K. On February 28 we sailed for the United King- dom. It was a large convoy with various types of ships and cargo. The trip was a bit rough at times, but most of our men were now getting used to the sea. We did have some excitement though. We had been sailing about four days in a very thick fog. The ships ahead and astern were sometimes not visible even during the daytime. About seven o'clock one morning we had a collision with a Canadian fishing boat. It was proceed- ing in the opposite direction and hit our port bow, punching a small hole in the skin of the ship. It all hap- pened so fast and the fog was so thick that we could barely see the vessel. We were not permitted to stop or break radio silence, but fortunately, on arrival in Europe, we learned that there had been no casualties and little damage had been done to the vessel. Convoys don't stop for anything or anybody. Too much is at stake and the ships had to get through to their respec- tive destinations. One evening just at dusk we received a signal to change course as the escort had received a submarine contact. We knew that it was a German sub as none of ours were operating along this particular route. About 14