Shannon (DM 25) - Naval Cruise Book

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As the boats :tml the town dis- appeared in the distance one of the chiefs rernatrked, The tiovf ernment doesn't need to st-ml any diplornatsg just give at bunch ol' - - - r 4 .5 sailors a few cigarettes :tml some sud candy and they'll make friends. . f 'These guys could win over any- body. That is certainly trite in t Yoguamupo, Korea, or Song lung, ' ' as the natives apparently call it. X This had been a mighty pleasant' ,X X interlude from months of grueling sea duty. But to everyone on .board the Shannon it was much 0 more. There in Korea, a country which, to most people, seems like the end of the Earth, we found an expression of what we had been fighting forf To those somewhat primitive, peasant people, we symbolized America-and America meant free- dom. These people believed in and worshipped a far-away country, which they had never seen, because of the things for which it stands. The Korean spokesman had said, VVe wait for you long time. That made most of us feel a bit ashamed that it had taken us, the United States, so long to get there and fulfill the promises we had made some forty years before. But our shame was far overshadowed by the joy that our coming had wrought. It is a wonderful experience to free a people, whether actually or symbolically. Their happiness and gratitude was, in a measure, payment for the hell and horror we had experi- enced. All that seemed to matter little when we saw its re- sults. Freedom, war, ways of life-much that had before been intangible, expressed in generalities-took on new mean- ing. Our experience in Korea had made many things specific and real. Probably never again will we be given as sincere and ap- preciative a reception, and in no port in the world will the Shannon ever be more welcome than in Yoguamupo, Korea, BACK TO OKINAWA Shortly after leaving Yoguamupo Wan, We anchored off the entrance to Fusan harbor, in the vicinity of the sea buoy. An LCS came alongside at 1600, returning CominDiv 7 and his staff to the ship. Our orders then called for a hurried trip to Okinawa, the main purpose of which was to report to CominPac the findings, of the Korea conference and the progress of sweep- ing operations around northern and western Kyushu. Time was pressing, so we made 25 knots all the way down, and arrived in Buckner Bay at 1700, October lst. LOST: ONE WORKING PARTY On the following day while the Commodore called on Com1nPac to make his report, the Paymaster and a working party of twelve men went over to Brown Beach for provisions and much needed GSK stores During the afternoon gr third of the crew enjoyed a beer picnic and baseball game on Tsuken Shrma Later rn the day the Commodore returned, but there was still no word from the working party This caused a great deal of concern for we were scheduled to leave for Sasebo prior to sunset few more hours would produce the lost Finrlly about 2000 Word was received that the Supply Officer the working party and several tons of provisions were sitting on the dock waiting for a boat to bring them out to the ship Your hours of searching in Pipe clown the chickens on the forecas'cle. ttnirinp, and ph-gtding had produced no trait-.pttrtatinn, The If,,-Obability ttf getting a boat at night was even lt-ss Ui t.'reatt:r' concern than getting 4-ni int-n and supplies back, was tht' approach of a very Severe typht.on. t'onsidc-rable danger and hiss ff prt-ciorrs time would result it' wc- did not get back to Sasebo i ahead tit' the storm. Finally, at 2200, we gave np, and headed north at ltr knots in hopes of making up tht- time which had been lost. This left our men stranded on the beach, all without a change of clothes, and most without even a foul-weather jacket. Luckily, Mr, lllcager had enough money to buy , each man a tooth brush, but that was hardly a necessary item the first day for no one had had any- thing to Cat since breakfast. As we proceeded, the weather got worse and the sea heavier. By the end of the midswatch, We were steaming through 25- to 40-foot seas. Green water washed over the bow constantly, and very heavy spray kept the bridge personnel looking like drowned rats. The impact of each wave, shook the ship so severely that we soon wondered what kept her in one piece. Since we were heading into the sea, our roll was negligible, but the pitch was terrific. As we rode up each wave, the ship would pause momentarily at the crest, and then plunge downward as if the sea had opened up and its bottom had fallen out. This constant pounding, and eventually an engineering casualty, forced us to slow to 18 knots, which speed we main- tained until noon. Reducing the speed only eight knots had eased the strain considerably, but we found it necessary to resume the former rate in order to reach Sasebo before dark. Our calculations proved correct, for, shortly after sunset, October 3, we were moored alongside the Ralph Talbot CDD 3901, in berth 25, Sasebo Ko. By the time we moored, the wind had abated. Since the typhoon was moving much more slowly than had been antici- pated, and since the Shannon was not operating, We l121d.3 short breathing spell. This allowed us some time to spend in upkeep and preparations for painting in case we should get some paint, which was then almost unobtainable. October 4, the Sasebo Officers' Recreation Center waS opened for business on a bring your own basis. A full delegation from the Shannon was on hand for the inaugura- tion, and all those present became charter members. The club was housed in a small, two-story, brick building in one of th-C coal storage yards on the western shore of the harbor. Busi- ness boomed, so, by the end of the month, a frame shed and a small, fenced-in terrace had been built as additions. A large warehouse just across the road was taken oxer and renovated for use as an Enlisted Mens lvecreatton Cetlfel' ns was readv for use the second rieel rn October A Cmfl c next to the building proxrded room enough for tOL1C1 football and baseball games rough the condition and location of the recreation CC s and the adjacent playing frtld was far from ideal 01' eqrrrtc it did provide r plrce for rnrrclr needed relaaatl f KWC Cvery one the chance to get rway from the cramps rrters of s p ind to drrnl 1 little beer This was N 1' f come for liberty had been mighty scarce rn months Pa oon one third of the slnp was sent over t0 brrch timed with plenty of eer - . . Tl' .- - - .- Q' . ' ef 4 C , v ' ' ' C ,n nel l, 5 ' ' , - -' - - ' 1 1 , 's ' , ' ' Arn - -' , f - ' rr- ' 5 A tiff. c ' 5 'lc 7' 1' I X r' Q K . 1 ' ' ad Z , . l ' 1' 2 it - ' 'On' Our departure was subsequently delayed in the hope that a I ,z R f . - - 3 f - d ' '- is- 'i 2 , , quz 'R -, a .hi , 1 -' gg ' -, '. - 'E Y t s ' ' J, vsel- , - ' - , x ' 4 5 , ' - St- ' e ' I - -. I 3' ' liach aftern '- , ' v- 5 , the ' ' ' 4 l 4 nil ' Q xi , 2 ' I 'V b ' 68

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. ,fer-f i. 5 iw,-we f - ' i st 1 L 53? . W K fv.,s.v, We welcome the American Sailors. It was indeed a queer sight to see these natives standing on our quarterdeck, dressed in everything from flowing white knee-length kimonas and full trousers wrapped tightly at the ankles, to double-breasted occidental suits, with their arms laden with live chickens and large bottles of liquor, Nor when they left were they empty-handed, for we returned their ges- ture with cartons of cigarettes and candy. Early the next morning, the waters teemed with small boats, manned by happy, curious Koreans. Around the point of the bay to the south sailed a small Heet of boats, apparently from another village to which the word of our arrival already had spread. Trading continued as be- fore, except that it had grown in its fervor. The life of these simple village folk had been disrupted , by .What to them was a great event. lint after the first , excitement, except for those in the boats around the ship, they continued their business as usual, for no mat- ter how great the event they still had to work to eat and live. Farmers went into the fields and fishing craft set out to make their day's catch. On a small rock not far from the ship, half a dozen men and women landed from alboat. Unabashed by our presence they proceeded to disrobe and put on bathing suits. For several hours they swam, searching the coral and sand of the shoal for clams or whatever seafood might be found, Then about HOOD, they again removed their clothes, and, while basking naked in the sun, opened and ate some of the clams they had dug. It was an unusual sight for a group of Americans to behold-an example of a standard of living and code of morals far different from our own, which we deem so perfect. .Shortly after noon, as the Shannon was making all prepara- tions for getting underway, all work in the village and fields Www WN' Q Wyman' , E52 V And the band played on. stopped. lrpople lined the shore and watched the ship, At the same time we could see a long procession of people filing dow-n from-the hills to the village. Everyone was in white, native, holiday dress. At the head of the procession, lll2Ll't'llt'tl two men proudly carrying large American and lxoreaii. flags side .by side. For well over an hour, the lfI'fM'LfsS1oI1 wound its way down the mountain road and through the village, until the people lined the shore and covered the pier, As soon as the gathering was completed, the same steamboat that had once before paid us a visit was loaded, and stood out of the harbor. lielching smoke and strain- ing under the load, it made its way toward the Shannon, As it came near, a twelve piece brass band struck up, and . a chorus of Korean women, robed in immaculate white kimonas, began to sing. From the mast of the boat, fiew 4 large American and Korean flags. In the bow, stood two men holding a wide banner, on the ends of which were painted American and Korean Hags. In the Center of the banner, in large, yellow, block letters was the word t WELCOME and below this, in Hovving script, Our Allied 4- T Forces into Song Jung. A translation into Korean com- pleted tlie banner. The .boat circled the ship three times, as the band played what we assumed to be their national anthem, The Beer Barrel Pollsn, and fluld Lang Sync, The boat then came alongside at the quarterdeck gangway. Time after time, in response to the enthusiasm of the Koreans, the Executive Officer led the crew in three cheers for Korea, for the women, and for the occasion in general. NXfe all happy. All Korea want you. yvhen all Vvag reasonably quiet, their leader stepped for- ward' and' with difficulty in his broken English, delivered this welcoming address: lVc revlmiiie 1110 .dmeriraiz Sailors. life all Koreans wish you happy and lzmlflz. Today we are Kowaiz. To you wglmifiy Iflfv 'wait for you long time. lflf 0 lzofli .-luzericayg 5 . f W . Wi ,Y 2,32 and KIIl'L'Ull today, go T0 flzc cleaflz. If e all happy A It or ea run ll l y 0 11. . - f d The speech was poor in grammar and choice o wor s, but the meaning behind it was unmistakable, VVhatever .it might have lacked was more than compensated for in sincerity and depth of feeling. Captain Ingram then made a gracious f6DlY i9 behalf of the Crew, the Navy, and the United States, which their leader translated in emphatic terms with Howing gestures. At the conclusion of the ceremonies the Captain shook hands with some of the Korean dignitaries, after which they all bowed and we saluted. Our duties elsewhere were pressing, and the Commodore for ns at Fnsan. So, as the Korean fleet from the side, the Shannon got underway, with whistle and siren shrieking, The band played, hats arms wavedg our crew and the Koreans, both afloat was waiting moved away and , and ashore cheered each other. As we moved out into the stream: we broke a small Korean Hag, which had been given us, from our mast, just below our own colors. 67

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TYPHOON The morning of October Oth, word was received that the ex- h pected typhoon was close at .. , hand, Shortly afterwards, in ac- dance with typhoon plan William, the steering gear was energized and the boilers lighted off. The number of ships in each nest had to be reduced, 35 a precaution, so we were rdered to shift to buoy 14, which was in a more sheltered part of the harbor. COY 0 At 1335, just after we had moored, the Helm CDD 3883 moored alongside. This maneu- ver was made difficult by the steadily increasing winds, which had already reached 30 knots. On the first two attempts, the Helm was caught and swung broadside by the wind, forcing her to ram us on each occasion, Fortunately, she had little way on and the skin of the ship was not broken, By sunset, the wind had reached about 45 knots, where it stayed throughout the night and until early the next after- DOOR. During the day, several ships were torn from their moorings and drifted,-out of control, down the harbor. An APD, adrift from the mooring just north of buoy 14, miraculously swerved aside to miss the Shannon by scant inches. A few minutes later, an LST began to drag her anchor and passed only a few hundred yards east of us. She was almost com- pletely out of control-a perfect target for the wind because of her very high freeboard, - shallow draft, and very little available speed. When we last saw her, she crashed into the Wicliita CCA 455, scraped the length of her side, and then slid off, only to go drifting on down the harbor. Several small- er landing craft were in equal difficulty, but finally managed to beach at the southern end of the harbor, 0 . ' -' ft ss . . sis J MS The full fury of the typhoon struck at about 1600 when the reached 97 knots, with 1 gusts to well over 100. After about two hours of full force, it began to subside, dropping to wind about 40 knots by midnight. By noon the 11th, the storm had passed and the weather was back to normalcy, although a little colder. Very fortunately, the center of the typhoon had passed about 100 miles south- east of Sasebo, it veered to the northeast. The velocity of the wind at the center had been estimated at over 125 knots. The damage inflicted at Okinawa, which had been directly in the path of the storm center, is a grim, Well known fact. More than 200 ships of all classes and sizes were destroyed or severely damaged in Buckner Bay, and numerous lives lost, The effect of those losses was felt by us only in the temporary loss of mail service, a not serious shortage of supplies, and considerable concern for Lt. fig? Weager and his working party, which had not yet returned from Okinawa. SASEBO CITY Occupation proceeded according to schedule. The city was being slowly cleaned upg military forces had been disarmedg all military installations and factories had been taken overg NavTechJap Engineers had arrived from Wasliington to in- spect Japanese military, naval, and production material, and to recommend and arrange for its proper disposition, the people were under control and orderly. There was still much to be done-work that would probably require years-but the city was orderly enough to permit liberty parties within certain limits. Everyone was curious to see as much as possible of ,lapan and its people, and to collect souvenirs. Each man went ashore at least once when his turn came. XVhat they saw was not pretty. The city was filthy. Those utilities and facilities that still existed were very primitive in comparison with a city of the same size in the United States. The community as a whole was very poor, as one would expect in the feudal society of japan. This poverty was made more acute by the sacrifices and ravages of war. ' Only a few of the streets are paved, most of which were in the business district. Except for the government buildings, a bank, a hospital, two department stores a new theater, one Or two temples, and a few miscellaneous buildings, all structures in the business district were of fiimsy frame construction. Sasebo had been hit by only two small raids of medium bombers, dropping mostly incendiaries, but about half of the business district was completely leveled. The amount of destruction was almost unbelievable for the number of bombs dropped. The railroad and most of the roads were intact and open to traffic, under the control of the occupation forces. Most of the people traveled on foot, although some of the most prosperous had bicycles. The few automobiles that one might see belonged to the govern- ment. Practically all material was hauled on the back or in crude carts, pulled by men and women. Only a very few people were fortunate or wealthy enough to own .12 a horse. Small shops were numerous, but had practically nothing to sell, at first. Sou- venir hungry sailors, rich from months at sea, were willing to buy anything that looked Japanese, and did. Cheap pottery, fans, cheap kimonas, wooden sandles, chop sticks, stamps, and pictures were the most common items of purchase. XVhen the natives learned that Ameri- cans would buy anything and everything they had to offer, they gathered old books, chopsticks, pictures, household utensils, pieces of silk, and every other item available to put on the market. 69