Mars (AFS 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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Qu x la ? 1' i E 54 9 H E 4 S ? 3 F f .al I S.S. MARS AFS-1 EMBER 1970-JUNE 1971 1 ff: 1

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Qmugg M me M 107

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935 E Modern studies, interests, and beliefs in mysticism, numerology, and astrology attempt to categorize events and reveal patterns in natural phenomenon. MARS Sev- en Plus One would be particularly significant to the contemporary numerologist had he the privilege of sailing with the MARS from November of 1970 to June of 1971. Perhaps he first would have noticed MARS Departmental Organization: Operations, Deck, Engineering, Supply, Navigation, Medical, Administration, plus Aviation when the ship is deployed. His thoughts might then have turned to eager anticipation of exotic oriental port calls, and, eight months later, reflected on the disillusions and serendipities of the past months unfolded with the smog fogged silhouette of land- mark Golden Gate. There was Yokosuka, our old homeport, revisited. Subic, Kaohsiung, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Sasebo, and Pearl Harbor followed. In all, seven grand guest ports plus the finale homeport, San Francisco, greeted the Big One. And who could forget the line swings: It took a calendar watch to remind one when the seven-day line swing began and when it ended, sometimes Monday, some- times Saturday. But somehow one day always got lost: SUNDAY. That special day of rest, on the line, became a routine day of work and service to the ever hungry customer. He would then finally observe that the perpetual sequence of seven real days plus illusory Sunday total quite a WESTPAC chronicle for the ship. From the first outchop to WESTPAC in September of 1964 to the San Francisco inchop in June of 1971, MARS has seen seven proud years of action in support of her countryls mis- sions, and returned just as proud on the eighth year ready to serve when again called upon.