Smalley (DD 565) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 14 text:

l 5 i 5 ,flflrfdem lacks and ancient ruins block of fifty tickets. There are Winners every Week and the government stays in the black. The tropical leisure of Panama did not turn our heads for long because many of us were intensely looking forward to our first adventure in the vast Pacific Ocean While the more experi- enced World War ll sailors were Wondering just what similarities this cruise would have with others that clung to their memories. The first ten days of our venture into the calm Pacific was characterized by training l 4 H- In the locks 'z i , 4 1 a l ' drills and perspiration as We pushed up the coasts of Central America and Mexico under the constant eye of a hot june sun. California lay ahead to render the lonely farewells of our A last few days in the United States. i s i 4- -' G --:---,..., V . .. . Nr ':: 31 :VI A.: '.,v. i . .,..,...,f.., ,,.,A,,.,,. 1,A . i z -:'q-. ..vK'4,-, H S ' X ri I Pananna Hotel v 1 10 iz l 1

Page 13 text:

9 At the bend in the Canal before we reached the Pedro Miguel Lock we passed through the famous nine mile Caillard or Culebra cut. The rock cliffs rise to 150 feet straight up from the sides of the cut which is 300 feet wide in that section. The Canal winds like a serpent through lush, green tropical jungles for 49 miles. Here and there crocodiles and lizards can be seen basking in the sun. VVhen Culebra cut was dug, or better almost scraped out of the jungle by hand, about 300 men died in li Q . . . . . I I landshdes 111 the six years which it tookg even 1 I I f The big wash down v li .l destroyed by the gold-thirsty English pirate Henry Morgan. Shipmates who were not seeing Panama for 1 9 the first time looked forward to possible for- , r,r.t , 5 tunes which could be won in the National lot- ea: E tery. The Panamanians pay no income taxes, their entire cost of government being paid by is Ei the lottery in which almost everyone partici- pates. The tickets are 50 cents apiece and can ? be purchased in blocks of fifty of the same number. One ticket drawn in the Sunday morn- ing shuHie brings 81,000g 350,000 is the greatest amount which can be won in any week on a i panama City Balboa reached the Pacific, it says here j . . . 5 'S 5 Q more fell victim to yellow fever in the twenty- , 2 Y 1 six years which it took to complete the entire ,' if job. I 9 31 Late Saturday afternoon the Mirafiores Locks lowered us once again to sea level and ily we steamed the last few miles to the fueling 1 li l-5 pier which was to hold us while we enjoyed l if the night clubs, parks, and souveniers of 6 A 5 a Panama City. ai,y r L j, r s all The population of Panama City is 127,874, a great deal larger than many of us had 9 if! expected. We found modern stores, hotels and e H shops to visit during the day and an abundance or ,.lri rir.iir C P of Latin music and risque shows d,Amour for entertainment at night. Some found their way to the ruins of the old city which was founded by one of Balboais Captains in 1519 and later

Page 15 text:

San Diegrf The U.S.S. Smalley steamed into San Diego harbor on the afternoon of june Ist. The weather was typical California-good enough for any Chamber of Commerce to brag about. As the crew stood smartly topside in blues. photographers flew overhead to get permanent records of a sharp East Coast 'scanfi To some, the arrival at San Diego recalled memories of the forgotten past. To others, a chance to see old familiar faces. Some looked forward to seeing loved ones once again, but to most the VVest Coast was new and many were eager to get ashore to find out if the city of San Diego was all it was Kcracked up to bef, The Smalley, after moving through one of the largest natural harbors in the United States past Point Loma and North Island, moored alongside the destroyer tender Prairie. Those of the crew who were fortunate enough to rate liberty were ready to go and took the nearest means to do so. Civic center 11 San Diego as seen from Coronado To those sailors who like the outdoors Diego,' granted excellent possibilities. Balboa Park offered, besides one of the most complete zoos in the world, an excellent beach for swim- ming, horses for the hardier lot, rides of all kinds, games of chance and Hot Rod races in the stadium. Smalley sailors also visited the El Cortez, where a fine view of San Diego, North Island air station and the entire harbor was available. Excellent food to suit every palate was avail- able in Diego.v Steak hounds went to the c'Turf Club. Those who like salads went to Paddocks. New England sailors found choice sea foods at the Harbor House. The night life last, but far from being least-dance bands, floor shows and Mexican music was plentiful all over the city. Another place that saw a lot of sailor traffic was the Greyhound bus terminal, which made places like Los Angeles and Tiajuana practi- cally around the corner. The city of San Diego has the largest operat- ing base for destroyers, aircraft carriers, and submarines on the West Coast and therefore the sailors were made more than welcome. All in all, the crew enjoyed the stay and thought it all too brief. The Smalley departed San Diego harbor on Friday morning Iune 5th bound for Midway Island and points VVest.