Stevenson (DD 645) - Naval Cruise Book

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panama, am! Rama Ewa Neither the turbulent waters around Norfolk, nor the Northbound gales oil Cape Hatteras, nor even the strong headwinds of the Windward Passage re- tarded our scheduled arrival at Panama for we were on our way to the Pacific and time was short. We reached the entrance to the Canal, gliding into a trop- ical heat of lO5 degrees, and, without delay, began our slow progress through the maze of locks that shut out the Atlantic and open into Gatun Lake, a large body of freshwater equidistant between the two oceans and separating the two series of entrances and exits of the canal. ' Travelling through Culebra Cut, a twisting and shallow slice of water, one could behold a scene of indescribable beauty. The surrounding country was of a jungle nature, with little islands peppering the lake and offering a solid wall of green in every direction. The sky overhead was strikingly blue, ac- centuating the whiteness of sparse fluffy clouds which lolled across the sky and the clearness of the day afforded the green growth a brilliance which at once hurt the eye. The phenomenon of Gatun Lake, a body of fresh water between two bod- ies of salt, prompted us to wet down the ship and wash off the salt crusts that lingered as our possible last remembrance of the Atlantic. The crew was in a jovial mood, so the business at hand developed into play as several streams of water were exchanged between the groups manning the hose. The cool water felt good in the heat of early afternoon but the sun dried it quickly and flesh turned crimson in the process. The trip through the lake was not without incident. A certain Lieutenant decided to take a few snapshots of other ships following behind but the watch- ful eyes of an Army Lieutenant discovered the act and the ship was ordered to a pier as the consequence. In a matter of minutes the Army officer and an aide boarded the ship, demanded surrender of the camera but finally suc- ceeded only in obtaining the film. We were then permitted to continue' our journey through the Pacific set of locks, descending gradually to the port of Balboa. Liberty commenced at sundown. - Balboa was a pretty little town, devoid of activity for it comprised chiefly the residential portion of the canal zone. ln contrast, Panama City, two miles away, was alive with lights and people. Certain districts were ear-marked for early inspection and a perfect stranger to town could have found cash street that night without asking directions. lt was close-quartered formation and the lines were long. The Cocanut Grove and Kelly's instantly became the favorite meeting places and many a sad or humorous story was told with one hand supporting a glass of rum and coke and the other wrapped around some- thing that months later was to become a figment of the imagination . The first evening had its bright spots which climaxed at the yard gates, where most everyone savored the last drops of what couldn't gain entrance be- yond the military guards, whose spirits, in turn, mounted from those who tried the concealment method. The conclusion of the initial evening's festivities wit- nessed scores of merrymakers balancing themselves precariously on the per- ilous plank joining the dock with the starboard 20 mm. platform, Chief De-an's call to man battle stations and a long line, which was assembled for neither chow nor pay, moving slowly aft on the starboard side. The Medical depart- ment never did a fuller night's work in its wartime career. The remaining two 21 l

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panama, Z Ewa 8044 Gm! nights followed the regular established pattern, even more so. The general opinion of the 'crew then, on theoccasion of our departure the third day, was that Panama was a better port to sail into than away from. The trip to Galapagos, comprising three small volcanic islands owned by Ecuador, represented our first voyage of any distance in the Pacific. They lay l000 miles southwest of the Panama canal, exactly on the equatorial meridian. Garrisoned by American forces, in agreement with Ecuador, they served ex- clusively as fueling and radio stations along the interminable route to the Southwest Pacific. The surrounding waters abounded in big game fish, all of a species dangerous even to the experienced sportsman. Vari-colored sharks surfaced nearby and giant manta rays leaped lop-sidely from the calm wa- ters of St. Isabella Bay. Fueling completed, we embarked upon a 2200 mile cruise to Bora Bora. Our course necessitated crossing the equatorial line and the traditional cere- monies were held. Lack of space prohibits a lengthy description of what fol- lowed but memories alone will suffice the victims. I refer to our journey to Bora Bora as a cruise for conservation of fuel demanded a mamimum speed of 12 knots, taking us I3 days in all to reach our destination. One day was much like the next during this phase of travel. The weather was sunny and hot, the sea monotonously calm. Rigid anti-aircraft gun drills were held day and night in anticipitation of the things to come. S I Bora Bora in the Society Islands was an enchanting little place with its green hills looking down upon the sleepy lagoon that was our anchorage. A two day sojourn permitted restrand leisure time for swimming and lounging about besides a visit to the island which quartered an Army Medical unit. The .natives were typical Polynesians, fine featured and light of skin. They had their own church, topped with can .orange-colored steeple and a general store .within easy reach of a small native village nearby. There were many grass- .roofed huts which appeared as neat and clean as their inhabitants. Despite the presence of the military, the nativesfof this island seemed remote from the war and retained their quiet, contented and unassuming expressions which were synonymous with the peace they had always known. Those of us, who felt as the natives did, found Bora'Bora impressive and memorable. Play came to an end and work resumed when anchor was hoisted and our course directed to the Fiji Islands, 600 miles further west. Speed runs up to 22 knots, intricate maneuvers and the never-ending gun-fire practice consti- tuted our daily scheduleguntil our arrival at Suva, the major port on the island of Viti Levu. Suva was a strange city, mixing the color of semi-cannibalistic populace with a touch. of European culture. The natives clothed themselves in white, one-piece affairs and wore their hair fuzzy-wuzzy style which sug- gested an odd combination both barbaric and civilized. Quick friendship de- veloped between crew members and the blacks when a football was brought out on the dock. Their punting surpassed ours even without considering the fact that they wore no shoes. ' Return of the liberty parties, stocked with supplies, and Hinz's announce- ment of Mr. Manning's departure from the ship, wound up our one 'day's activ- ity at this port on the perimeter of the war.