Stevenson (DD 645) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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fl! 9601 MLMGQ Leaving Fiji in our wake, we were destined for Milne Bay where our or- ders for reporting to the Seventh Fleet were given. We left the Bay to report to Buna, New Guinea. Our stay was short, for the invasion of the Admiralty Islands was to take place, including the Steven- SOT1. We had, at last, joined the combat forces of the Pacific. Of course every- one was a little nervous and excited because we didn't know what was in store for us during the invasion. We left Buna with LST's and LCl's also carrying troops aboard us. After three days and two nights, we took stations for the invasion of the Admiralty Islands. ' During the entire operation we patrolled in the background as sub screen. , Most of the firing was done by veteran destroyers so -we had a box 'seat for awhile until we got the order to remain there for several days as a fire-support- ing group. We remained in the Admiralty vicinity for about five days when we were relieved. The occupation contin-ued for several weeks and we were convoying supplies during that period. Our next invasion took us to Hollandia at which we again acted as sub screen, just watching the bombardment. Hollandia was soon secured which then took us back to Buna where we went into rehearsal for the next invasion, the Schoten Islands. During the latter part of May, the Steve hit a submerged log while patrol- ling off Humboldt Bay which necessitated a trip to drydock in Milne Bay. It took about a week to get the ship back in shape. We arrived back at Hollandia in time to escort a group of eight LS'I s to Biak Island. Everyone who was there will always remember how those lap Kates came out of the sun to drop their eggs but the only thing they did was splash water on a couple of LST's. One of these Kates headed for the Stevenson, approach- ing from the starboard quarter but things got quite hot for her so she turned away. The captain of the Hobby reported as having definitely seen her crash on the island. It's the only time the main battery ever fired when no one on the director platform felt the blast. 'There was something so fascinating about seeing the enemy plane coming in, that one never felt the guns firing. Ourgroup left that evening for Hollandia but the Hobby and Kalk were sent back to Biak and the next morning the Kalk was hit with a bomb causing the most serious damage that any of the ships of the Squadron experienced during the entire war. . Several other trips were made to Biak and at this time Commander I. R. Pahl relieved Captain R. F. Stout as the Commander of Destroyer Squadron 19. 2.5