McInerney (FFG 8) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 12 text:

AUGUSTA BAY SICILY Augusta Bay, Sicily, our first real port visit overseas, was also one of our lengthiest (if you count the return visit). After transiting the Atlantic, most of the crew was ready to see the sights of Sicily, and see the sights they did. With three tours arranged the crew had ample oppor- lunitv to view some of the sights of Sicily, and scunple the fine Sicilian food. Probably the most popular tour was to Mt. Etna, a live volcano with ruins dating back to 2000 B.C. The soccer team had its first opportunity to show its stuff, and against somewhat stacked odds they managed to walk away with an 18-1 loss and a win by forfeit. Many of the crew had a chance to visit the Naval Air Station at Sigonella, taking care of uniform needs and making the much needed phone calls home. PC3 Whitmeyer kept busy with the first mail run, it seemed as though he would never finish sorting it all, but when he did he made a lot of the crew er happy. On our second visit to Augusta Bay, the USS YELLOWSTONE provided a Beer on the Pier pari in which ihe proceeds went to the Combined Federal Cam- paign. The ship was anchored in the basin ap- proximately 500 yards from the shore along w ilh four other ships. The ship completed a very successful IMAV with the YELLOWSTONE, a strong statement for theadajjtabilit) of the Navy and its men. Although not the most exotic port isited, the men were glad to pull in and get scjme much needed liberty.

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ALEXANDRIA EGYPT Alfxaiulria, our third |)()rt visit, was probably the best as tar as seeing the country and its people. There were lours offered to Cairo to see the ancient |j ramids and the F.g ptiaii museum, a thiee hour bus ride, but well woi th ii to all. Main had the chance to sia over- night in Cairo to break up the length ride, while others made the Journe I here and back in one day. The pyramids themselxes were magnificent, and al- though the- commercialism isprett) high .iround them, there is still a fascination about them that will last tore ei . Those that didiTt get a chance to see the p raniids had the opportunitN to sliup amongst the Hey Joes (Peo])lc that would get shopper ' s attention by yelling ■ ' HEV JOE ' when they passed by). The USO supported a cookout nearly e er night down by the fleet landing in down- town Alexandria, . lthougli not the cleanest port we visited, MCINERNEY sailors were the only ones fortunate enough to be pierside tor their visit, while the other ships anchored out and had to take liberty launches. The food in Alexandria tasted OK, ()ut seemed to leave the crew with some r.uher odd side effects (200 rolls of toilet paper used in 2 days - H. H.A ). Some of the men visited the casinos while others merely spent the days either shopping or looking for shops and bars. . fter leaving Egvpt, the ship had an o))- portunity to participate in some exii- cises with the Egyptian Navy, then off lo I ' alma De Mallorca. ■ Xr, 10