Louisville (CA 28) - Naval Cruise Book

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fested. The ships contained many wooden fixtures, and a fancy wooden Shinto Shrine installed in the Captain's passageway of the Hasu, was destroyed by her crew a few days after our occupation. Before sunrise each morning the ship's company of each .lap vessel assembled on deck for solemn chanting and two bows in homage towards the Emperor in Tokyo. A long, vigorous and stereotyped physical drill preceded the morning work period. Scrubbing down the decks, damp with morning moisture, was done by bare- footed seamen bending over their hand swabs in fore and aft lines. Starting and stopping on the boatswain mate's orders, which the men repeated in chant-like monotone, they completed the job with machine precision. Breakfast at seven for them consisted of thick soup with chopped meat and the ever present rice. They ate heartily of the food, which was brought from the small, mal- odorous galley. Dinner and supper usually consisted of fish, rice and vegetables. The discipline was hard and thorough. Late arrivals for watches were punished by slappings from the unrelieved watchg one man we found lashed to a stanchion in the engine room receiving a painful beating from his mates of the engine room gang for some misdemeanor. Kicking the shins of bad actors was also a favorite method of rendering justice, and every t IS Although the Jap Nledical Officer told of many sick cases ashore, in general the men and officers of our charges appeared to be in good health. lVleticulously clean in their persons, they ironically used the same water of the common wooden wash tub week after week. A special pan and brush was provided to wash one's shoes before using the accommodation ladder. The crew slept crowded tightly together seaman possessed scarred limbs to verify h' . Top: A Chinese admiral is received aboard with honors. Middle: Seated before Turret One, Rear Admiral Settle poses with the Chinese adlnirals, their interpreter, and two members of his staff. Bottom: The admiral shows Chinese dignitaries about the ship. 197

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196 year period of control, for the city was extensively built up, and the docking facil- ities conspicuously good. Yet the entire area now possessed a deserted and run- down iatmosphere, indicating that our sub- marine and air operations in the Yellow Sea had long since effectively blockaded this important seaport, and had eliminated it as an outlet for Manchurian products. After completion of this mission, and while enroute to Jinsen, Korea, for logis- tic replenishment, we received new orders which were to be the highlight of this entire period in the Yellow Sea. We were directed to proceed to Tsingtao, China, on the southern coast of the Shantung Penin- sula, and there to receive the surrender of all interned Japanese vessels. On the day following our arrival, Sep- tember 15, in ceremonies aboard the U. S. S. Herndon, Admiral Settle received the surrender of all Japanese Navallunits present, from Vice Admiral Kaneko, lm- perial ,lapanese Navy. c'O1d Glory was raised above the flag of Nippon on each of them. All of these vessels-two de- stroyers, the Kari and Hasu, one destroyer mine sweeper, and three sub-chasers- were moored in the vicinity of Pier No. 1, Tsingtao. Our Marine Detachment occu- pied and held this pier throughout the six days following the surrender. Six prize crews from the Louisville and Herndon occupied the ,lap vessels, supervising their disarmament and rnaintaining a security watch. The ,laps disarmedithemselves and their ships according to our instructions. Our prize crews found the ships to be poorly preserved vessels, requiring paint and re- pairs, although their propulsion machinery was in good operating condition. Except for two of the subchasers, they were old, and in every case were dirty, and rat-in- TSINGTAO, CHINA

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l98 JAPANESE SURRENDER The exec gives prize crews briefing. Well armed marines leaving the ship Some are assigned to guard the beach. Others of them set out on patrol. .laps awaiting our Admiral's pleasure. Rear . Admiral Settle speaks through interpreter.