Latimer (APA 152) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 64 of the 1955 volume:

Cm, Y N a KLJM. i xfg iff V' z- ' 7771 Lie: fcaaffefuf, Z! Mmm 1 Me 246 X074 f f , 14 7? ,X S -S Fe. 4 nt W S Lie IZ 6 , 1 J h 120742 ff' X, ,X if L RIN D lN H H T N I UB HI G SE VICE IA IN L IN OR THE USS LATIME X SHIP'S HISTORY - In history, authenticity tends to sacrifice completeness. Thus some achievements receive dueprecognition in chronicles, while other efforts go completely ignored. Such disregard for the majority of people seems cruelly unfair, for everyone at least believes he ser- ves a distinct purpose on earth. Analogically, as much can be said about the LATIMER. With other vessels in the Navy's fleets, the LATIMER plays its role in protecting the shipping and shores of the United States as well as representing the nation abroad. Like many stories, the LATIMER's started meagerly. It began in Portland, Oregon where her keel was laid on 19 May 1944. In- dependence Day of that same year saw her commissioned and named after Latimer County, Oklahoma. During World War II, LATIMER participated in campaigns at New Caledonia, New Guinea, Lingayan Gulf,'and Leyte. When war ended, she transported thousands of troops from the Pacific to the West Coast. In 1946, her assignment to the 16th Fleet at Norfolk culminated invher decommissioning. Hostilities in Korea caused the LATIMER to be recommissioned on 23 September 1950. Almost a year later to the day of her .,,. . activation, the LATIMER served withthe 'SIXTH Fleet, operating in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time. U Early 1953 saw the LATIMER operating in the Caribbean Sea where liberty visits included ports in I-Iaiti, Jamaica, and Cuba. In 1954, the LATIMER underwent refresher training near Haiti. A training period preceded her participation in four operations during May and June. Finally, tender availability prelfaced her departure on 7. September 1954 for the Mediterranean Sea. During her second visit to The Med , the LATIMER inevitably Mmadei' history. Whether or not her contribution assumed large or small proportions remains to be determined. Nevertheless, she successfully fulfilled the mission for which she was sent - namely, to help preserve the ideals to which we are dedicated. Conse- quently, the LATIMER proved that she equals, if not surpasses, the better assault transports in the Atlantic Fleet. Even the Commander Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet recognized that fact in ,lune 19541 when he awarded the Battle Efficiency Plaque to the LATIMER. At that time, Admiral Fahrion wrote: This achievement reflects a devotion to duty and an attainment of standards which are most creditable to... the naval service. 'lv ea' . As Commanding Officer of the LATIMER, Captai11 Charles R. HERMS culminated his year-long tenure in guiding the shipis performance to outstanding attainment. Commissioned as ensign on 5 June 1930, he served on both battleships and cruisers prior to his completion of a two-year communication course at the post-graduate school in Annapolis. Afterwards he became Communications Officer aboard the air- craft carrier, YORKTOWN. Commencement of World War II found him first as the Exe- cutive Officer and then as Commanding Officer of the destroyer, PAUL JONES. He later commanded another destroyer, the COLLETT. In 1948, he headed a Naval Reserve unit in Columbus, Ohio, followed by duty as a mine specialist with the Pacific Fleet. Since then, Captain HERMS served as Chief of Staff of a des- troyer flotilla and as a fleet Operations Officer with the Navy Department. He assumed command of the LATIMER in Sep- tember 1953. On 29 October 1954, Captain J. 1. CONE relieved Captain HERMS as Commanding Officer of the LATIMER. I Captain James 1. Cone serves as the fourth Commanding Officer of the LATIMER since her re-commissioning. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy in 1931, he first served on the light cruiser CONCORD. He later spent two years aboardithe HAN- NIBAL which conducted hydrographic surveys of Central and South American waters. That fateful day -- 7 December 1941 -- found him serving as AA Defense Officer on the SAN FRANCISCO at Pearl Harbor. He subsequently became gunnery officer on the cruiser MOBILE in 1943. In 1947, Captain CONE commanded tl1e re-commissioned des- troyer, LLOYD THOMAS, which made a cruise around the world. In 1950 he reported to the U.S. Naval War College, New- port, Rl. In 1951 he was assigned as Assistant Commander of the Naval Ordnance Laboratory at White Oak, Maryland. Two years later, Captain Cone served as Chief of Staff to Com- mander Cruiser Division TWO. In October 1954, he relieved Captain C.R. HERMS as Commanding Officer of the LATIMER. No commanding oflicer commands his ship without some dependence upon his execu- tive oflicer and department heads. To them, the C.O. delegates the duties ne- cessary to executethe functions of his ship. Un the LATIMER, Commander James John Macleod serves as the Executive Uffi- cer. He supervises all matters relating to personnel, routine, and discipline of the ship under the direction of the captain. Orders issued by him are considered as originating with the Commanding Oflicer. Naturally, enforcement of orders requires assistance. Such assistance comes from the department heads who are responsible for the training, safety, security, maintenance and conduct of the ofiicers and men assign- ed to them. .. X 'FQ' 'iii ' -Sw ' -li From' Norfolk on 7 September 1954 sailed the assault transport, U.S.S LATIMER QAPA-1521 Her eventual destination: the Mediterranean Sea! The sunny coast of Portugal came into view early on 22 September. Later the ship anchor- ed in theTagus Ri- ver about a mile fr o m L i s b o n , which rose im- pressively on high hills. Everyone com- mented about the excellent recrea- tional facilities available inthe modern - looking city. y l 21? I fwfr Gill -IU H D M 1 X it tu n Cl U ' I r. N -X x ,Tu U I , X 0 s A' g gp s V -NN? 'R Nw N 'N-Q-N ,-.. fx X wax -A ,.lk 1-g. - H,-::'fsN,,f.---.:. . . , , L . , . - V . ' H- H -'-11,4 -b:..q.,, , ' 1 ,ein 12 V gr A-V5y..v.v, 75,4 gt iVQkLl:'L','.g..i' L-I-,pqikrtk Aj'-jg:-ffg'fs1- :.,,.. 1' 3,1-5.4. ,V If 4 K' . , f 415' ---fit :f'v,3.A,C,-, 'wi -f2I'1. Q1, 'fHf i.,,ggtLff5!.'Li':-l,- i X- .- 1. we.: ' ,. 4 rf-P+-:East-'f'+:1,w,,,-f-?:z-if-1 x'-n-e-r- 1 ,fx-wf-,K L' - P 1 QL' . ,,-gf. V: :fr - 44.1 5- - J-1.1.x-.2':' L-f-af ' f 5 'f,--Jiri , ,Ei -' '. 1' -' . ' -43- ,vf'i5v::a'i:?f1if -f -- s -1.1 +,-:f'E.:'m,oL1ii?:4 f P , , sm-'-gg,s8, .,.1 q-1-rswfg:,gi mg, - A tif'-' .Q '-f' gi-11-if'-jg 3. .9s:f,z2.3 --5-.-jg',e,Qg QA! -+ '.Mii1ffa3',Q.g ,, X -- X - .1 .se-gf:-, --+15 -, -f-f-,fl ,, . ... -w-Jfiflgfr v, Pr- auf- L- ipmr he-t JQQQSQ- 2 3 .-M tra-,-. rf-. 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J- . arf: rzvftr . ,Q..,-r.qq:r.eq ff., -.fs - Q,-f:,m.e:v'f's:: ' ,je-H72 . , 1 ff we-' - re'-1. mam-.:lB4.:usmn-maine-.iizfif X f Q?g'xZxd5mvm-?.w.. .Ag I ..-en.--' ,PH -5-, . ..-A W.-.1 'EW 5 CT ix ago KD ag Q34 0 ex V X 2 jj 0 . ' f ef W5 l fa - X X77 a QI dll fx fabl- EV ff? fs? . fi Radiomen, radarmen, quartermasters, electronics tech- nicians, and telemen comprise the largest division aboard ,X the LATIMER. Moreover, they perform varied phases of work. Un the signal bridge, quar- termasters maintain visual communications through blinker signaling, sema- phore, and signal flags. Two levels below, the radiomen perform communicational duties similar to those of the quartermasters, except that electronics rather than vi- suals are employed. bk. CIC holds the radarmen who use radar in tracking and searching and in intercepting aircraft and surface vessels. Fur- thermore,they interpret and plot all information received and adjust and repair equipment. More than anyone else, the electronics technicians are allied closely to the radiomen and the radarmen. Upon them falls the responsibility for the maintenance and repair uN. 0 A 1. if of all shipboard electronic equipment and other types of communication, detection, and ranging equipment employing electronic circuits. Far removed from any of the above ratings are the duties of the teleman. He opera- tes the ship's post oflice and serves as its mailman. On the Med cruise, he became the most popular individual aboard ship. In the pilothouse, on the bridge, in the charthouse -- any three places will harbor the quartermasters of NH Division as they check bearings and soundings and plot the course. Otherwise, they maintain the ship's navigational publications, charts and tables. if EH' 44 f 4 4 2' ship. Cloudy skies and cool temperatures greeted the LATIMER as it moored to the dock in Mers-el-Kabir, Africa, a small community located some five miles west of Oran. The date of arrival: I Ucto- ber 1954. For liberty, most sailors journeyed into Oran which offered many interesting sights: impressive mosques, veiled women, and tra- ditional or religious customs unlike those found in Western nations. With all its Arabic background, however, Oran possessed a pre- dominate French influence. Smart shops, modern restaurants, and beautiful women caught the scrutiny of all liberty hounds M. Yet visits to Oran usually exasperated even moderate temperaments, for the ever-present kids hounded every man in uniform for cigarettes or money. Even a tour to the headquarters of the French Foreign Legion at Sidi-bel-Abbes failed to offer complete escape from them. Consequently, some elation accompanied the ship's departure from Mers-el-Kabir on the morning of 7 Uctober 1954. A M' .. N152 FFT s A so 'Ts 1 1...-i ud C A 'K-,,,.. ,.-1-psf X ' in f I su PPLY ROOQ1 Iii l us- N X' fER54 I I 'J I Q -'ic X I . sw , Zfazfgfff X ' Stas. 'lx' 9 ,yoj ,j-XX fx le E?-3 Il! e EH 1,11 1435 A p I ,X I, Qi ,1I1'Q- sW9' 00 a -,N 'Y -sv' .--'U o fair' fl Ei K- pf-W el If e x-54026 ? K RQ? --Z f, Lni. NX fi 75 JY K A040 f Administratively, ',S and X Divi- sions comprise an important segment in the LATIMER's organization. To most shipmates, their duties appear relatively easy because the personnel involved usually sit at desks to perform their work. However, those shipmates who know dif- ferently realize that no other di- visions are beset with the ceaseless amounts of paperwork that these two CIICOIIIIICI. Ani' A Y XJ 1 V 1 4-1- ,Q F nl Q. fd-' Qi Z' ff? O I Yeomen route and prepare naval cor- respondence and re- ports, maintain of- fice records and files and operate office machines. In addi- tion, they familiarize themselves with regula- tions, manuals, and directives to inform per- sonnel who desire any information. MS Division in- cludes storekeepers, commissarymen, ship's servicemen, stewards, and dis- bursing clerks. The storekeepers procu- re, stow, preserve, package and issue DX' Division consists of personnel men and yeomen. The personnel men maintain personnel records, classify enlisted men, and promul gate information on the rating structure, training. welfare and re- creational act1v1t1es and benefits available to personnel. ,, While commissarymen prepare food for the general mess, stewards prepare food for the officers' mess. The disbursing clerk processes the pay rolls, reimburses naval per- sonnel, for expense incurred in the ,line of duty, prepares financial accounts and reports, and compensates personnel, for subsistence, L longevity, transportation, etc. clothing, spare parts provisions, technical it e rn s and other 4 , supplies needed. C ommissarymen serve as cooks, ba- kers and butchers. They prepare menus, assist in ordering provi- sions, check deliveries for quantity and quality and insure proper storage of all food products and care of galley. Duties of the ship's servicemen consist of clerical, sales, and managerial functions in the va' rious Navy exchan- ge facilities aboard i ship. Q l '39- For five days, the LATIMER engag- ed in operations oil' Sardinia, the mountainous island located near the Italian mainland. A landing on the beach emptied the ship of marines during the period, giving the crew a possessive attitude toward the spaces aboard the vessel. Arrival at La Spezia, Italy on 13 Oc- tober l954 required deft seamanship to maneuver the 'ship between two buoys to which the ship was moored. In eight days, nearly everyone fre- quented either the Ideal Bar or Almio Bar to drink Chianti wine or Italia beer. Between drinks, small restaurants offered varieties of Ita- lian food, be it spaghetti or pizza pie. Otherwise, the modern stores and shops carried merchandise of every description for shoppers. , Organized tours took personnel to Rome, Pisa and Florence. The Lean- ing Tower in Pisa afforded shutter- bugs a field day . At Florence, per- sonnel visited Pitti Palace and the Uffizi Gallery with their priceless masterpieces of painting and sculp- ture. And, over the brown Arno Ri- ver stretched the picturesque Ponte Vecchio, lined with centuries- old shops and houses. ,. ,fry . A,.,.... -. C ' X 2 ,,. 1-L 12. gre 1 X 55 15 :ian , H sam Eg M X H 71,51 XM - xc w vi i I f Yr- - 1-MLA 4 . ,ff 1,11 rays, Y 6 i-LU 51 f -gi TI f I ilflia f R K ' , X I .. K qi kifi, ,, M ,J I, 1-Fil 4 . f fm f1 is . Ss ,M as se if 4 K A, ' eg ' , Wd in Z' ' , L Y i c 7 From La Spezia, the ship returned to Sardinia where ,'One-Ahlesw removed the marines from the ship to the beach for three days. Improvement in the chow heralded their absence, as well as brunch one Sun- day morning. F I , wg:- . .-... -H 1 A- 1539 14 ,fif 11+-59 ' :US -,f,j. 3, ws, 1-, QS--, fi 5 -f 7 'isfxiffa fs! , ...wb S 3 55 ' T WT' ---un 'w., 7 -. f. W --4 f-5 , V. Q, . k ' , r . . .'I , f 9 if . xy-, , rs , r 1 .gf ,r, I J s, 4 Wi..- 1 4 1 4 ...A AT SEA RO TINE X Q . , Distinction as the heartiest workers undoubtedly goes to the hoatswain's mates and seamen of the First, Se- cond, Third and Fourth Divisions. On the LATIMER, no other divisions experience the elements like they do. Rain or shine or day or night find them on one of the four hatches or in '7Mike and Peter boats. A At sea or in port, their work never ends. 7'One-Ablesw involve the lower- ing of nets and boats and the empty- ing of holds. Boarding stores impli- cates the handling and stowage of cargo into the hatches, and exercises 'usually include the passage of lines between ships. Znd. DIVISIO i U Personnel of the four divisions or- dinarily handle and stow cargo, maintain and operate hoisting and landing gear, handle small boats, and direct boat crews in landing operations. Otherwise, they en- gage themselves in rigging, haw- sers, winches, hoists, tackles, lines, and cargo nets. Perhaps a book would contain better the complete activities of these four divisions. In this in- stance, however, only a brief tri- bute to their indefatigable efforts can be expended. f P.. 'NYY' 'Tl L-'fd L QI if if D w'i'1 ---aL T' 1-:W ...,.gF., I' Q F 4 Q 1 5 -A A.. , '-V' I , to -4th, At Crete, the ship participated in amphibious exercises which in- cluded the landing of troops and equipment. Early on the fourth day, the ship lifted its anchor and steamed northward. At noon, both crew and troops ate a huge dinner of roast turkey with all the trim- mings in observance of the Marine Corps' 179th anniversary. ,-.4-9 ' Q- mn XQ 'ls 1 f 'x I LQQTQ .4- ' ----+,, 7? Q -fi asf - 3- 36 fi-xi,-I 'qv ' QQ! HH W' , ,, ,,.,. ,....,,,... . 115 , gh. 31 ,-4. 4- V ., .-, -.-..-. -A .. -Q. .. VA .J- div :f ' F ' ' ,f 'P' Le. N r Ju ' 1:9 A- -Q... -' A: , ,fir +2'1-'f1x'2 . .gi , 7,13-4'5'?' .ff 414--1. -Ffid' , sv' 'if' ', .J 'P a fi' f- r' .ah - fi' ,,'. f 4, -hd! 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W ,Mfr X...-..-f Golfe Juan France ln its harbor the LATIMER ancholed on the mornlng of 27 October 1954 Small 1n size, the town pos sessed several small nlght spots whlch offered entertalnment but crowded conditlons always exlsted thereby forcing most sallors to enter one of the nu merous bars there ln locatlon, Golfe Juan sat ap proximately in the center ofthe French Rlviera the vacatlon resort foi all Europe To the west stood Cannes the chief summer beach center and to the east sat N106 a handsome city Both c1t1es contained large hotels casinos spacious bca ches wide promenades and avenues of palms During the ship's seven-day so- journ, numerous tours alforded personnel opportunities to see much of France: five days in Paris, two days in Valberg, and one day along the Riviera. AF? I ,QI ' x , S . 1 ' .- .. e '., 5' rf A ,IR 'rf F .L IEW? iq! I A' !g7P '41. ?'5b ' if 1 5 ffl fs fi, , H V 'ik-L, x 4 fiffffw' - x '5EfiQ ir'j 'H'f?QQ'ffQeif.? A 1 4 .ng- -f'g f 1fEi?35f .A if I 1525.9 415455 2 gf z-' gf' ia? 5 1- if y'., . A .IH :L A f we !Il f' in --, My J . 4 , , .. wrnwqg . -, -rr -f ag g-Ae 1. 4 .wx Hifi -1-xiiig, 1 ,TNQ ,z 2 5 11 L if -I PM H3512 Those fortunate enough to travel to Paris found the city to he just what it represents, i.e., beauty, quaintness, and histoly. Further- more, night life in Pigalle, the Left Bank, and the Montmartre -district excelled that to he found in most American cities. f T wr T 5 fl 'MN lq w : ,I X T, 1913700 EQ TZ 2 Ct t QQ, fl X ,Rfb in L17 of fllv Jax iii? Preservation of health and treatment of sicknesses briefly describes the duties of the hospital corpsmen in ,'H Division ln addition, they give first aid and perform ward and operatin room duties. Some corpsmen serve as technicians of X-raw pharmacy or epidemiology. Dental technicians assist in sick hay and the dental clinic. Gunnerfs Mates and Fire Control Technicians comprise the Fw Di- vision. They are the men who main- tain the mechanical hattle-readiness of the LATIMER. The gunners operate and maintain guns, stow ammunition, projectiles, powder, bags, fuzes, and pyrotech- nics as well as repair recoilnvmecha- nisms and hoists. Repair work constitutes the duties of the iire control technicians. They make major detailed casualty ana- lyses, repairs and overhauls on fire- control equipment, using all tools and electrical and mechanical in- struments necessary in maintaining and repairing fire-control equipment and directors. -qv 217913 rf MQ 11 r'QEX7'42 'W '!. ...X-4' K m i x i S, x 1 K 'x I , . 1 I ,N ,Lg Y? Q ! 'K Y x , Ein N bg hz. in K I x 7 'Q , N ygxfds Y, D kfzvyq! 21 K . f, g 3 f A f A fm-uw Q LQ A fl X fe 4, 7 xt XR 1 C9 Q1 LATIMERITES hosted nearly a hundred and se- venty-five children between the ages of five and ten years during the ship's cruise in The Med . Duty Daddies took the kiddies on a tour of the ship and served them refreshments during their stay. Movies preceded the tour. X si pn, a g 1 1- if if mfr 1 x, C ' 1 ,ff J 4 s 1 xgvnirl 1 4 7 1 A17 V, Uhange o Uommand Cloudy, rainy weather accompanied the shipls arrival in Salonika, Greece on 11 November 1954. Rich in historical background, the city possessed such interesting sights as the White Tower, the Arch of Galerius, the Church of St. Demetrius fthe city's patron saintj, and the famous American Farm School. Little recreational facilities availed them- selves during the ship's six-day stay, but the improvised USO at least entertained most liberty parties. There the Lake Champlain orchestra played familiar music for dancing with American and Greek hostesses. Free chow consisted of hamburgers, hot dogs, cake, and coffee. A few bars advertised so-called floor shows as inducements to customers, but those who in- vestigated discovered rather inferior enter- tainment. On the contrary, the Club Rouge presented a pleasant show, which included acceptable dances and other presentations. Assuredly, 17 November 1954 remains a me- morable day in the stomachs of the LATI- MER crew. Un that day, violent seas rolled the ship like a match-box. By next morning, the weather calmed but maintained a haziness as the ship anchored in the Bosporus, a mile from lstanbul,Turkey. wil Af PQ. ,lg 5, him , Lf '. :L3 nw. -t .. tr all tart ati fl i- Z- 4 H15 Those personnel who took the one-day tour of Istanbul saw the interior of mosques for the first time. Though similar in architec- ture, each differed from the other. For instance, the Blue Mosque was the only one in the world to possess six minarets. A stroll through the Grand Bazaar re- vealed it to contain thousands of stores and shops, which lined narrow, winding passageways. Merchandise of virtually every description graced the counters and stands of these shops. Enthusiastic 9' bargaining with the proprietors usually resulted in a good buy. From Taksim Square, a short Walk brought epicureans into the area noted for the better shops, restaurants, thea- ters, and night clubs. One restaurant - Abdullah's- served representative dishes of Turkey to please even the most dis- criminating gourmet. Kebap, dolmas, or baklava never failed to satisfy appe- tites. -- IQ 'h- lu 'Y L I mf., K f ff'-ff 'fn IQ. l 1 5 R v-I ,-.,, 4 A I 'Gifs' 'S-'-145.33 ! b.V, Yu., '15, 5 .lu ii S' il .K E 7 , 1 F' S ,pg diff 1 'wi 1-1 -rf Mg, , .M 3 x o-. ,rf gy A . WW ,llv , ,. f 'Fas Q57 51 I r - A if- '+-1-'F-ii ,L Q 4 ' , 15' T 7. I , 1 , I g i 3 Ep It Q.. nw ,.,, ,ra 1 '- 4 1 f , . Sig? ff If-, .xx A' 'if l?g?7' i ,Kg F? 'fi Q LE: UQ-ZQQX - 1 , Y F K 4 iff sf Q :wo K, U W 13 439 fr' 2 nga ixjfztjidx Xu.: I lv-, I i , Ng l Q i ' X QC -1 l 0 1 Q31 i 1 IW tfsqgfs' imzlf Q Maintenance of the ship's main engines requires the know ledge and skill of the machinist's mates in M Division Not only do they keep-up the engines but they also maintain and operate all auxiliary engine- room and boiler-room equipment, such as pumps, compressors, valves, oil purifiers, heat exchangers, governors, and reduction gears. Occasionally Winches come within the realm of their know-how. In cold weather, many crewmen envy the boilermen of NBM Division. Never do they worry about heat, for their duties consist of operating fire-room machinery and of transferring, testing, and taking inventories of fuels and water. The boilermen also maintain and repair boilers, pumps, and associated machinery, as well as use hand, power-driven and pneumatic tools com- monly employed in boiler maintenance and repair. f-T' X., 'I ' r 0 lb f -- .J I X-.1 XX' J Q QS-xr, LQ-f Eftiffii' 'U 'M1lffffl7g5f ' f T mllFfXFluL During the morning of 29 November 1954 the ship proceeded cautiously through the busy Straits of Mes sina. Dark, heavy clouds enshrouded Mount Etna baring only its lower slopes to view. ln the evenm Stromboli s crimson flames appeared in the distance. Occasional belches threw flames high into the air. Next day, the ship anchored in the bay at Naples, ltaly. With the silhouette of Vesuvius towering in the distance, the city rose from the shimmering blue bay. Not far from the fleet landing stood the New Castle and Arch of Ara- gona, and beyond, the town square with St. Elmo Castle situated atop a distant hill. Of course, 'The Snake Pit attracted many curious liberty-ites. Nevertheless, the Enlisted Menis Club, located within a few blocks of Santa Lucia, dispensed such things as 'ihotn dance music, good but inexpensive beverages, and milk shakes. X UQ 'R M., ' M' mx. gs .WN v..,,.,,utv ,www-ii' . 'ww--mg., ' U 1-r-r - ,Q 5 -rf' LN 5 1 X , . , - H-.-...,,,,,u r , hu 'q'k f 'm'w1fnq if ww 3,7351-ffivf 'Q3 ' -pg: 5, ' wa '. sei 74321573 f-- 1' .Q . - g- fk.,,1A,-, wmkzl -5. Am.-3v':n',aLL ,fr .. 4 X f W 1' -x 8 5 1, r 5- museum of art and beauty, Rome contained imposing aqueducts, magnificent churches, foreboding catacombs, beautiful villas, in- numerable fountains, and immense ruins. It fascinated visitors ceaselessly, for its archaeo- logical and religious landmarks represented famous historical events. The Vatican City inspired all sight-seers, especially Saint Peter's Church, with its so- lemnly magnificent interior resplendent in gold and marble. The Vatican Museum and Galleries possessed a world-famous art collec- tion as well as architecture, painting, sculp- ture, mosaics, and bronzes representing the genius of earlier centuries, and housed the Sistine Chapel famous for its decorations painted by Michaelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli, to mention a few of the great masters represented. Z Essential to the Preservation X of the ship's engines are the ! enginemen in A Division. ff 0, ff' CMN They maintain, operate, and 2 mr ,.... repair the ship's main en- D e gines as well as those in the Fix!! L, ! ff M v,t5.,,,s- Mike and Peter,' boats. l NN' ' U13 j Wm 5 . To do this they utilize or- K D Q7 l- 'Z l-5 dinary hand, shop, and ma- - Q rl' - - 1 1 it I chlne tools and precision Q-,Wiki it me 3SI11'lIlg 1l1St1'l1II1CI1tS . Responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and re- pair of electrical machinery and gear rests with the elec- trician's mates and interior communications electricians of E Division. They install, maintain, and repair gene- rators, electric motors, searchlights, yardarm hlinkers, and the general lighting and power distribution systems aboard ship. If 'TS' pak 7 'TW uk -ii ' ,, 7 7 f -qx r A 9-4 'n-Q E X A P N v s I K 'Q Q Q., , f x.. Q: , 52 SY 1 J' ,E -- :nm It My -1 ------ 'xg L I n --'U' 1 Lg , -I 122-2 -I l w u gg I 757.-IH if , A -X ... Q-Qae' Q 3 I Rn ii, 2 is-at - ell! 7 QE? lllt 1 Wag-X iz Arrival at Toulon, France occurred about 0800 on 17 December 1954. Site of France's oldest naval base, Toulon possessed a color- ful ',Main Street area just outside the main gate of the base. Beyond that lay an im- pressive shopping area with modern depart- ment stores and luxuriously furnished shops. To afford all hands an opportunity to attend, two ship's parties were held on 22 and 23 December 1954, respectively, in a Toulon dance hall. Religious ceremonies appropria- tely celebrated Christmas Eve and Christ- mas Day aboard ship. Clear skies and chilly temperatures pervaded upon the LAT1MER's departure from Toulon on 27 December 1954, but clouds hid the sun the next morning as the ship entered the harbor at Genoa, Italy, which undoubtedly ranks as the busiest Mediterranean port, Me- dieval and modern surroundings provided interesting contrasts in Genoa. The old part of the city contained narrow, winding streets with stairs and bridges, hemmed in by old buildings. Genoa appealed to sightseers for its rich hi- storical past. A monument significant to West- erners stood near the railway stationg it me- morialized one of Genoa's famous citizens, namely Christopher Columbus, the Great Discoverer. .1-3 -.4 'if- ,pf . gf . CIISTUFDID COL0ll0 LA PATIIA 45.7 f 'Q ,Lu M! Q7 R X N lluring are LA'IiIMER's KW N visit, ships tourists tra- wl K T R N veled to such places as X X' Venice, cultural Milan , M' W and beautiful Garmisch, l by A ' the latter in Germany. F' xg K 13: 4 R ln venice, LATIMER- l xdlj ITES encountered the LJ S I X famed gondolas which ' ' glided quietly through calm canals amid spark- Xix N ling blue waters. Byzan- ik V tine and Renaissance pa- ,.......--- laces offered challenges to shutterbugs as did the wide Piazza San Marco and Doge's Palace. Gateway to the beautiful Italian lake re- gion, Milan appealed to the epicureans of the LATIMER. Other than its great cathe- dral, a massive masterpiece of Gothic art in white marble, Leonardo da Vinci's mag- nificent fresco, ,' The Last Supper , impressed observers as outstanding among the city's many incomparable art treasures. Traces of snow fell on 3 January 1955 as the LATIMER wended its way seaward. The next five days found the ship operating between Italy and Spain, just south of France. Keeping the LATIMER in fighting condition G G G G remains the primary job of the damage con- trolmen in R Division. They are the spe- cialists in the theory, techniques, skills and equipment of fire fighting, chemical warfare, carpentry, painting and general damage con- trol. Among other duties, the men of R division repair and maintain the woodwork aboard ship, including that of the small boats. In addition, they prepare shoring, braces and other jury rigs used in damage control. V. N94 Wm WK ,il t P A T z-V ' .i .f ji we git-, 1--5' Q, Q, qpxiijgw A re. ,. f , ,B rpg sf, C ' 'faigsi .N 4' Al fb i ' 4 C lil. C ' li., B inf Q? i LE A A to lt'-'J i1l.S if P i 1. 5 On the morning of 8 January 1955, the LATIMER steamed into the largest har- bor on Spain's Mediterranean Coast. It Med'7 moored to the Curra breakwater, located about a half mile opposite the city of Cartagena. Four main hills dominated the seaward side of the bay, while mountains hemmed the city in on the south and to the south- west and southeast. Units of the Spanish fleet occupied mooring locations alongside ships of the Sixth Fleet, and the country's second largest naval base sat along the waterfront there. Cartagena possessed little of touristic inter- est. Only ruins of ancient fortresses re- mained. However, the Spanish Naval Base there displayed a replica of Columbus' Hagship, Santa Maria , on which he crossed the Atlantic in his discovery of America in 14192. The Terraza Restaurant in the Hotel Me- diterraneo served delicious food, including steak and eggs . A complete meal cost approximately 50 pesetas, which was quite reasonable compared to American prices. Along Calle de Mayor, several cafes served drinks similar to those found most any- where. Only the Cafe Grande offered dancing facilities in the city, entrance to the dance iloor was gained by special invitation. 3., x iw Q, X . 7 97, , ww - 1' L J., .iw MSN .1 av- . .I f.1,- .I . AW., . ,f-,,, .- AWA- -, gfswefffiifl A 1.4 - , , 1 Q '+-.LQ-' 1' an ' Y 1 . 2 ! lasfqq INV, g ve--1 ,.,--Q-4-,yn-ag . f :4'-Q1 Qitan -WU s i-.J fin un...- l 5 a!yf if 459' 5, , E 'M I x Great anxiety clutched the crew on 17 January when the LATIMER passed the silent but imposing Rock of Gib- raltar. At the same time, thoughts turned to home and family. Within ten days, the United States would cease to be a dream, a far-away place. Instead, it would be- come a reality! In the final analysis, it cannot be denied that the five- month cruise in the Med ended faster than anyone had anticipated. Time possessed the uncanny knack of pass- ing unnoticed. True, the days at sea seemed longer than those in port. Nevertheless, liberties tended to break the monotony of work-, whereas watches, drills and exercises did not. Yet too many men fail to recognize the importance of the Med', cruise. Literally, the American sailor is a roving ambassador of good will. I-Iis presence in the coun- tries of Europe not only creates a feeling of security but also inspires friendliness. , These achievements on the part of sailors are not new. Many crews before that of the LATIMER visited the same ports, thereby making the Ameiican flag and uni- form a common sight. As a result, the SIXTH fleet be- came known among Europeans as ,'The Friendly Fleet . Therefore, the men themselves played no small role in developing a friendly feeling toward the United States. In all humility, it might be said that we and all those who preceded us accomplished more as living examples of Americans than any propaganda or diplomat. For that Americans should be proud. But, what about the LATIMER? Did the LATIMER's crew contribute constructively to the preservation of these ideals? After all is said and done, the answer is: YES. En route to the States, we remained quietly satisfied that our mission had been fulfilled successfully. We did our part. We know that we can do our part. Whatever awaits us, we are prepared to do our part again. First, though, our homes and loved ones await us. They missed us, and we missed them. Months of separation must culminate happily in brief periods of reunion be- fore the LATIMER sails again. Wherever she goes, the men who made the Med cruise will recall the trip to the Med , And boots who hear these tales will want to see the Med . And who knows? Maybe they'lI make the next Med cruise aboard the U.S.S. LATIMER QAPA-1521! RECREATION COUNCIL Cdr. J. J. MacLeod Lt. P. W. Beauzay Lt. R. R. Clarke Lt. J. J. Mc Govern Ens. R. G. Westhrin WRITE-UPS T. L. Ziegler, PN2 ART WORK B. L. Banach, Jr., SN ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS' REcREAT1oN coMM1rTEE C. L. Barnett, BMI J G. C. Dahlstrom, MMI E. L. Davenport, RMI B. L. Banach, Jr., SN CRUISE BOOK STAFF Editor - Lt. W. Beauzay Assistant - Ens. J. B. Richardson CREDITS LAY-AOUTS PHOTOS G. D. Munda, EN I Lt. P. W. Beauzay E. D. Robinson, GMSN J. I. Forsyth, HMI Without the co-operation of other members of the crew, too numer- ous to mention, it would have been impossible to publish this book.