Robert A Owens (DD 827) - Naval Cruise Book

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BAHRAIN BRITISH FLAG OFFICER, NAVAL AIR COMMAND CROSSING OWENS TO H.M.S. GURKHA I ff A ' ,fix iii A 1 5 v- z' . . , . - 4.1 ' nun 4,7 f .1 1 1 ' Q 1 .5 A . 5' . hx,- 7. 3 :,f.- ffl Sy 'Nl 4 - I - Q 5+ ,,. H.M.S. GURKHA

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- ---M ra New Years Day was spent in Port Sudan. This was a rather bleak liberty port. The only attraction in town was the Red Sea Hotel which offered cool Camel Beer. Our basketball team made its debut, and was an immediate success defeating the previous- ly unbeaten Sudanese Navy team. Some of us were lucky and made the rough overland trip to the old seaport Sawakin in open trucks, others were even luckier and spent this time in the Red Sea Hotel drinking beer. The intelligence trip made by Chief l Jones, Chief Stafford and Yeoman Kemery allowed some fine intelligence data to be col- lected, but we are still trying to figure out who did the collecting. Y-- . l The Owens made a brief fuel stop in Aden, Aden Protectorate. Because of local difficulty liberty was not granted. However, our basketball and volleyball t6a1T1S Were allowed ashore and I'6Sp0Ilded by coming up with a double victory. The basketball team squeaked out 21 'CW0-D0iT1'f Win OVSI' the RAF team, and the volleyball team managed to beat the Womens Army team even though they were more inter- ested in their opponents than the ball. This port also offered execellent buys in electronic and photo- graphic equipment. Our next port of call was Masirah where a small RAF base is located. We found the island to be completely desolate with the exception of the base. If was here where most of us received our first taste of British hospitality, which is still a source of amazement to those who experienced it. Beach parties were given each day, and our tennis team made its first gallant, but futile, showing against the RAF team. We spent the last two weeks of January in Bahrain, Sheikdom of Bahrain. Owens athletic teams had many opportunities to display their talents here. The basketball team splitg and the volleyball team, again playing a womans team, was victorious. There were many enthusiastic song fests with the British, and Mr. Kinberg had a chance to exercise his pitching arm in the Crypt one evening. Mr. Fred and Mr. Graham were transferred in Bahrain after having spent two years each on the Bobby O. The HMS GURKHA was alongside during two weekends and provided the chance for extra- curricular activity on both sides. The MADE IN JAPAN sign on the OWENS' bow and the PINK AN- CHOR on the GURKHA were examples of the friendly rivalry that existed. Who will forget the farewell of fire hoses and fiour bags?

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BAHRAIN .aff FOR MY NEXT ACT