Taconic (AGC 17) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 16 text:

jggogxo l O uss mcomc Asc I7 o, vel. 1 Olf p ' p 175-Tugur. 1952 DINISH SCHOOL PROJECT-- Oontributions to purchaee-a wall clock and, possibly, a radio for the Danish school at 'Thule have already been rolling ina Our men who alwaye respond generously where children are concerned are eager to help the Eskimo children in their prog:-amd of education. For convenience sake, a receptacle will be provided at the pay line in which you may place your con- ' tribution. All of the money thus obtained will be used to buy the clock and radio and spare parte for the radio.. Your fontribution will not be solicited, it ie one tirely voluntary in nature. . A U O l Q SEVENTH Arvsnnsoromr Psnroamzn on 'rloomc uname sUmc-- a A C I RTI ISS .QQFITY SUIITY 0 1 Shortl after the ship left N' f 1k ' - Th1s.11tt1ye paper, edited by the Eliaglairftlelggggescfgg ttf SPP-ear ua daily pgper outsxde world and reported the doings of other pe,-sonnei sh1P wuth news of the on the shxp.

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N 1 With the TACONIC in the task group that followed the icebreakers to North Star Bay, USS VERMILION, USS ENOREE, three LSD's, USS ASHLAND, LINDENWQLD gud SHADWELL, each with a group of LCU's embarked, a number of LST's, and the GORDIUS, a trim little ship whose services were of much value to the other members of the Task Group at Thule. In addition to the commissioned naval vessels, two ships of the Military Sea Transportation Service, GENERAL HERSEY and GENERAL HAAN, numerous Victory Ships, and several Army tugs stegmgd in with the formation. With all of these ships and numerous boats scurrying about, North Star Bay looked as busy as Hampton Roads. Some of us were here to stay, but the LST's and the Victory Ships'were quickly unloaded and ordered out to sea. Follow up convo s of Victory Ships came on schedule and their cargoes were rapidly handled. inte in the operat- ion a second group of LST's arrived to help carry vehicles and heavy equip- ment back to home ports. U The VERMILION was a very popular ship on days that mail reached Thule. She served as mail and movie exchange ship, doing an efficient job distributing mail from home, and keeping the movie film in circulation. VERMILION boats did a great deal of good work moving large amounts of personnel and cargo. The GORDIUS, with her divers and able repair force, proved herself a very useful ship. Inspection and repair of ice damage to ships and small boats kept her personnel busy for long hours over difficult jobs. N , W V as , ,.. V.. ...cfs Y , g

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NWEE i V In addition to news, the SUNACANUS supplied us rssu an vous mat e h with several features, -- .f ff a the most popular of which E were probably the daily Glacier Girl and the daily crossword puzzle. While the morning new- spaper brightened our breakfasts throughout the cruise the rest of the day was filled by prog- rams from the TACONIC's own radio station fNWEEj. Station NWEE went into operation upon our arrival in North Star Bay and from reveille to midnight furnished the ship with canned radio programs and music to suit every taste - opera - hillbilly - symphony - jazz. In addition, our radio station furnished short newsbroadcast several times a day. There were also, on occasion, live radio broadcasts by members of the ship including personal interviews and ' Twenty Questions '. Wednesday evening was set aside as Bingo night on the TACONIC. With extr- emely worthwhile prizes given, the messhall was always filled with Bingo ad- dicts anxious to demonstrate their skill at the game. A project which caught the fancy of many was the growing of beards. Short- ly after we left Norfolk, a beard growing contest was started, and awards were plsaned for the longest, the oddest, and the best looking beards. As the Arctic Log goes to press, the contest has not been decided, but the beards are growing longer and bush- F- ier, with many truly nob- le specimens in evidence. Although brunettes got off to a tremendous lead, AK there were a good many . blondes who caught up and ,A .- if f Q f 'A I. produced some wonderful Q f X, masses of hair. There - f 75 'K f ,, were a great many examp-F fljsffbnj if ,xg X Y les of men showing that ' W' ffw 5 RV lf they couldn't produce E1 ' U, K E much hair on their heads, ,r 'ji LJ , 2 when it came to producing hair on their chlns. they were hard to beat , i p X eb?