Smalley (DD 565) - Naval Cruise Book

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A,...-'- fi m8051611 'Qi Annnuyg 5. p H T, .,,,h p A i ., ,,,,,. , i i , ., we 'ff A I. ,Q ., V 'Qi 4 V' f V ,Sym 8 ,gag J. Z .LAL fi- NA?-,:,1:3giQv: , gig.,-wiv' w,'1.g,,f' 'zftizfffi ,Q 1'i M'ff Buni-lioat salesman Clolling at Ummm played rather loosely hy lapanese Tin Pan Alley comboes. During visits to Saseho the ship held parties at the City Hall huilding and the lchi Fuji Hotel. Beer and food were abundant and oriental entertainers provided a fast moving show on both festive occasions. Many men took advantage of a two-day trip to the resort town of Unzen which is situated high in the forest-clad mountains of Kyushu, some 60 miles south of muggy Saseho. Clean. pleasant hotels, hot sulphur baths, horseback riding, swimming and good food were found there. The refreshing atmosphere afforded Complete rural relaxation and those who spent the night away from the hot, grey decks of the An aft:-rnoon's stroll in Sas:-ho Night spot hy day ship never regretted the long bus ride over huinpy dirt roads. The department stores and souvenir shops which bordered the busy Sasebo streets were thoroughly comhed by curious Smalley men in search of curios and useful articles. Under- sized taxis and hicycle-pulled rickshaws car- ried many white-hatted customers to the eity's trinket shops and night eluhs during all hours of the day. That a great fondness developed for friends in Saseho was evident from the many reluctant farewells that were hid as we sailed from the inountain-surrounded harbor at the end of our last visit to japan. 23 i

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Sasebo was one of the ports which we looked forward to visiting. Although it offered more than naval facilities, it could harly be con- sidered a tourist's delight. The Iapanese people themselves were the major attraction and we of the Smalley became quite fond of them after repeated visits had familiarized us with their interesting habits. A whaleboat ride to Fleet Landing always preceded liberty in the muddy streets of Sasebo. Signs at the landing welcomed, and .at the same time cautioned the visiting sailor who could exchange his MPC for Yen at a bank stall across the street. . Vs, p -!- magna X 'inf' xr .ay A -- M... 4 g 1' lv A ' 'Ei 'i-H?-ai r . i' FT 7 i ,- 1 Dggbih Arcn't tbcsc toothpicks kind'a big? Sasfbv The first stop for many was the OfHcers', CPOS, or EM Club. The latter was reached after a tiring climb up several stone steps to the top of a nearby hill. The Club featured a restaurant which specialized in Filet Mignon, a refreshing bar and a single-selection package store. Others started with the Club Lorraine, a USU, which provided writing desks, a snack bar and a small orchestra. Fishing rods, cam- eras, jewelry and other durable gifts were sought by many at the convenient Army PX. Protestant and Catholic churches and an Army chapel were all within walking distance of the landing. However, before many liberty hours had passed most men found themselves in favorite haunts, the bustling japanese cabarets with playful girl-sansn shagging to strains of i'VVhatsa Malla UD or Comen Nasaif, music Fzuniliur sccncs 22

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Q I 1 1 i . is 4 wf-1.- . ,, mm, ,,.,.-M .. A I 4, A S....,.4,..w,3-L W:-f ,Y lb . adam A :4,.ig,gg,,,.,r4.1g,rf-.zzz-it.aaiazmz-111'-4'--is:lg-ea-dl! F---f'LZl'Z-7'4t: z'- Ak 'ii' ' N . i ffakrfdzzfe Perhaps the two most mernorable things about Hakodate which we will long remem- ber were the ever present smell of fish and the cool breeze that wafted it across the bay and through the city. The Iapanese are great fishermen and it must have seemed as if they brought all their catch to Hakodate to be cleaned and canned. The breeze though, even if it did carry the strong scent of fish, was a Welcome refief from the furnace-like heat of Sasebo. The city is surrounded on all sides by tower- ing mountains that shroud themselves in the softest mantles of green and purple. Thick cumulous clouds nestle at their tops, dividing the clear blue sky from the less vivid shades of the slopes. When the oflicers and men of the Smalley stepped ashore in Hakodate, they were about to see a city which had not felt the impact of the souvenir hunting craze of the American sailor. Prices were low and there was surpris- ingly little to buy. Few of the local inhabitants spoke English or any of the many japanese versions thereof. It was obvious that this city ' l Pj T gas-M' 3 Q ' l 1 x X X HN Y! N -1 X 5 --- . i x if 4 Y bm bv!-Ag-A ulVl1O,1'C youfw ulim Sum Fun Tuf' 'Tll betli' on the south side of the northernmost of the Japanese home islands was infrequently visited by units of the United States Fleet. p Of course, there were a few who had dug out their old English books and hastily printed G-xl str 524