Stevenson (DD 645) - Naval Cruise Book

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Smqaffzme With the memory of our going Horne music still ringing in our ears. as we 'sailed out of Wakanura Wan, we enjoyed a calm peaceful trip through the South China Sea. As we finally turned westward to the Malacca Straits, naval aircraft from HMS Colossus buzzed the Steve in greeting. Then the HMS Caprice, a British destroyer, guided us through the rain squalls and haze into Singapore Harbor. Here masts of sunken ships sticking up from the calm waters of the harbor reminded us that only six weeks previously Singapore was still in lap hands and that we were the first American warships to enter since the end ofthe War. Hardly had we dropped anchor before the bumboats came alongside to sell souvenirs, pineapples, and bananas. Each destroyer in the squadron was assigned a British destroyer as their host, while the British cruiser, HMS Sussex, welcomed the battlewagons. The squadron flagship, HMS Caesar was assigned to us, and soon plans were be- ing made for the Officers to visit and have dinner, while a number of the crew visited the British ship. While our Paymaster was busy converting U. S. dollars, a British landing craft with crew and boat Officer was put at our disposal, and was immediately used to take the first liberty party ashore. 1 On our way in to the beach, we passed several picturesque Chinese Iunks moored alongside some old tugs and yard craft abandoned by the laps. Singapore to most of us was a city of exotic allure with the mystery of the Orient. Certainly as far as the different types and races of people to be seen on the streets was concerned, it was not disappointing. Majestic looking ln- dians with a full beard, heads swathed in turbans and magnificent physiques stalked the streets along with Mohamrnedans in their red fezes, coats, and wrap-around skirts hanging down to their ankles. Malayan women with their slightly slanting eyes and bronze skins strode along carrying baskets on their heads. Also bewildering was the wide variety of uniforms, Royal Navy as well as Indian, Australian, New Zealand Army uniforms with occasional Dutch and South African insigna. At first the large signs headlined DEATH were rather alarming, but the explanation in the Straits Times that the laps had left stocks of poison liquor made everyone more careful. Only a few of us had enjoyed a taste of the British hospitality before, so that it was a welcome surprise to find the British Canteens thrown wide open to us. Free entertainments by the ENSA CBritish equivalent of our USO? were given not only in the theatres and servicemen's clubs on shore but also on the battlewagons for the men not rating liberty. Most of the British sailors expressed surprise at the wonderful food includ- ing ice cream on the American ships while we thought the idea of liquor served on board ship mighty strange but certainly having some good points while in port. ' ' Q 47

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