Oriskany (CV 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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city of pleasure. . . ,at M -Af i I , 1. 'ws . - . yr. K YA .,.,, ..x.,, , rw' V T if fi E35 . JL g k. 4 Q g-fr' A, s of .52 . 'e L I 'M' if fffiv' td V - . ,vfiwrzmf .0v :2,3'g,'gf,332 .g,XyI:fiAg1Q,H.- Clouds over Vesuvius never brought wel . I 1 . - . gy , fy-s.,t wif.-afplg Hifti I ' I l K 3,135 - :View weather while the Ornskuny wus In port. 'lf l 8 . i 1 3 Q X .f X, 4 , gy, u't.:ii' X 'i .--..q.1,?..,.,....,..,,,,,,. D yuh, 5 1- . . ,W e5:'L,,,1Q.5- , M., r ff -- .:-an 'a:..x1avax':mvf.aua-Im ' gn MQ ' ' A , of .rf ,L J Q, 1 ,,,' L4 The salesgirls spoke very convincing English. Fountains cndcled sparkle to the big Naples was also headquarters for the Evil Eye. The horses in the streets wore brass studs as charms, a cus- tom since spread even to America, perhaps without the superstition. What's more, poor tippers in restaurants often left with the sign of the horn waving them fare- thee-not-so-well. Despite such drawbacks, Oriskany sailors regretted leaving Naples, not for its harbor or view but for its liveliness and good-looking women. It was only later in photographs that sailors recalled the threatening vol- CHIIO of Vesuvius in the sky nearby. FOV once, the Oriskuny could drop anchor inside the break- Wufel' and small boots make the Fleet Landing in mir1UN':S plazos of Naples.

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lk , PLE 9 cf View of the city from the Oriskuny. O question about it, the Gulf of Naples ranks as the most beautiful harbor in the Mediterranean. The Oriskany sailed in past the magical Isle of Capri and the fashionable island of Ischia toward the cloud-capped peak of Vesuvius. By day, sky and sea were two shades of light blue. The first night, ,Iune 22, the bills behind the city and the shores around the gulf sparkled like a diadem. Still, there's only a grain of truth in the local Chamber of Com- merce's 4'See Napoli and dieli' From the harbor, such an idea was almost believable. Inside the city, Americans preferred life aboard ship. And yet, it was in Naples that U. S. Admiral Forrest P. Sherman, Chief of Naval Operations, died one month after the Oriskany visited the port. Ashore, Oriskany sailors found a beehive of activity. On the main street, Via Roma, almost every officer tried on a Borsalino hat. Self-appointed guides tried to steer innocent Americans toward other merchandise, on which the Helpful Une then made sure he took his cut. Peddlers cried 'cBuy a cameo, Joel, from Fleet Landing clear out to Vesuvius. The best buys, with Widest variety and most as- surance of value, were made in factories, particularly those recom- mended by the Italian tourist agency, CIT. On side streets, the devastation of War and the poverty of defeat appeared clearly in the homes of the people. To them, United States sailors were rich, riding in taxis and carriages for fares of 500 to 1,000 lire. Busses and trolleys cost only 20. Cleanest place in Naples for enlisted personnel was the United Seamenls Service Club, near Fleet Landing. The club provided all orchestra and an unusually good-looking group of Italian hostesses for dancing. Near the end of the Oriskany visit, a CreW's Recep- tion was held aboard to repay their hospitality. Italian painters seemed to make Naples their headquarters. From a simple photograph, they could Work up a surprisingly recogniz- able portrait in oils in a few days. Unself-conscious, the painters often worked aboard ship with sailors looking critically over eaCh brushstroke u could buy flowers from donkey carts climb the lullslde for Cl VI Vesuvius or look over displays In cameo factories and ulwClY9 Naples light hearted Yo - I . s u 'ew of ' ' ' - intl 1 . Q f MQ

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The Vatican had its own police and the world-famous Swiss Guard. to power in the city of Rome in the spectator. Above is the Victor and below the Arch of Constantine. The Eternal City . . . W .-4 The foundation of Rome is veiled in the myths of ancient time. HE feet of pilgrims and tourists over the centuries have helped level off the original seven hills of Rome. During the summer, parties of Oriskany oflicers and men joined the throngs oi visitors on four occasions, twice from Naples and twice from Genoa. Some of the sailors made the trip two or three times. Since the days 3,000 years ago, when Rome was founded, the city has expanded to cover two more hills. Une of the ad- ditions, Vatican Hill, aroused the curiosity of every sailor. Unlike most other cities in the Mediterranean area, Home pulled at the spirit as well as the mind and body. The golden dome of St. Peter's dominated the hills although it stood in Vatican City, an independent state governed by the Pope. Pope Pius XII personally welcomed Oriskany sailors at audiences on two of the tours. Swiss guards, in uniforms of blue, red and yellow designed by Michelangelo, escorted His Holiness. A Pontilical Palace of 1,000 rooms, within the Vatican'S 109 acres, contained some of the worldis greatest works of aff- ln the Sistine Chapel, exclusively for the Pope's use, the Wi1llS and ceilings were covered by works of Michelangelo, Botticellif and other famous painters. The library was a scholaris delight, with its ancient manuscripts and books in many languages The first Oriskany party to Rome saw a double canonization ceremony at St. Peteris. The Basilica sparkled with lights. The Pope olliciated at both the ceremony and the later lVlass. Saint- hood was bestowed on two nuns, one from France and the other from northern Italy. In the meadows outside the city, sailors visited the Catacombs oi San Callisto, one of the burial places of early Christians. According to guides, Catacombs were also used by the folloW6f5 of other religions.