Smalley (DD 565) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 16 text:

Three thousand miles to the West of San Diego lay the Midway Islands. These two little spots of coral sand with a total area of less than two square miles were the Svnalleyfs' objectives. Calm seas and sunny skies provided an excellent setting for the trip across the greatest expanse of water in the world. WVith a speed of advance of fifteen knots, the journey stretched out into nine days. lt was nine days well spent though, for the ships of Destroyer Division 302 were escorting the ammunition ship U.S.S. Mt. Katmczi. During the long trek several cooperative whales provided uservicesi' for the Division. The words Sonar Contactv blared out from the ping jockey shack on numerous occasions and without regard for the hour of the day or night the entire ship went to General Quarters. To an observer high above the formation, it would have been a beautiful sight to watch one of the screening ships pull out of the forma- tion, settle down on her haunches with a puff of smoke from her stacks and go charging off after a suspicious contact. There is nothing And Iflfl in Midway more awe-inspiring than a destroyer knifing through clear blue water leaving behind her a brilliant white wake. It was with a feeling of relief, however, that we learned our contact was just another curious whale, for we were under orders to attack with live ammunition. Seamanship, engineering and damage control drills along with tactical maneuvers augmented our training. Nevertheless, '4All work and no playn was not the featured motto of the Smalley. Every evening the fantail was crowded to capacity as Chaplain Little ran his gymnastic enthusiasts through their paces with bar bells and weights. Deck horse shoes, reading and just plain bull sessionsn competed equally for the waning rays of light as the sun dipped into the multi- colored Pacific horizon. VVhen the sky had turned to a dark blue and the stars began to twinkle, the scheduled activities of the day were drawn to a close with movie callf, Early on the morning of 14 june, two thin white streaks were sighted along the horizong Eastern and Sand Islands of the Midway 12 Z F Q71 'T 5 ? f1S'?'2f ?'? ' L wa .f-1-M X 3

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.

Page 17 text:

,flvrzfss the Pacwc Group. These small islands composed entirely of dazzling white coral sand are scarcely more than a few feet above sea level. On all sides they are encircled by a reef. The sheltered waters inside the reef are a clear turquoise color and as smooth as polished steel. The Bronson and the Daly proceeded through the narrow channel in the reef and moored to a pier on Sand Island to fuel. The Cotten and Smalley continued to screen the Mt. Katmai and awaited their turn outside the harbor. At 1000 we steamed in and while the engineers refueled, the remainder of the crew was given two hours liberty to udiscoverv the Isle of the Cooney Birdf, , .. 'X 5 ,. ,:,.m.aw1.-z,1,1'S5-.rf ax f Q 0,4 -1-1 Q. 7-, -. - gyaaf-vwa V, -f f V-all ,i .,, A- 4, :21'Af 3jv.s1Q2.,fgi,j...i' sf:-f 217 4 ' 's't . -' ' ,QM,-fgf,'1i.:g:zQ:,?4p,W,, , will 'V T uf 2 , if' W , f .roy aw.q1911.-fwzf:::.:w - ' :. f ' I Q ' ff .:i.. ., ., -Q.. - i':,' 1-af,',ifW .w' ' ,zu ' - - ' -. iff1 :2g,v 1 ' f' ' ,. ww' .Z-if , 4 ' x ,aa -fvii , 1. '- .1l..,:- -w we H QM- - . . , , , - f V, ' f , . . X' 3 , 1 : i t Vw., w,fwf.5ae'1,f , ' ' ,' .. ,f ffssicy 1' . -. vi evgfi ,ry '11 .. .- - fff?Y' i: 5-2: I f 1 .2 Q z., 217'-'7I: ' '5'-a i , 3-.-'-I4-jxff' x i, X ,, 4 - A K' , .F ' 1 . ,Z2ff'f'I :.:? . ,f i f' SY- F135 : Ll'ffLp'J2 11. I A A f. ' .- 'i v-1.-,y ,. ,fr . ,: f , '-, -.1-2 V Q ,, .i., , , Z ,.,. ., M, in ,. , , , - 'X' 'ffl 1 . , , f'flllfi: H 1 if 5 fi 'V aiwf 'ff' , 52,527 'fffi' a I' .,,-'1lf13z:I,ff7fQfEil - 1 , 'Wen' V ' : -V j ' l ,i-4,5554ffxgfyg gig.-1,5 '-f,f ,. fijuiwlf' f' ,fw.,Wy,,, .1 I4 l - fi 1 526' ag ,fi in ' lijf if.-,,f:.13V., .I p f ' ,I ,a-5,..':fz,1C1,ff,A.,'35,,,,ml.,V3 -f .1 M f V- l Rope yarn Sunday 13 Snipes getting the word amy ,Q s VVherc,s the cigar, Padre?