Taconic (AGC 17) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 23 text:

. JI, 'Z' I Y 7 A A x gl H f ' f 4 'Q XX gifgm xx 'gal ,ggS?9 g 93 fide XX 95 Q XX gisxx I -K f or X f NNXXX A Xfffffffffffffffffxxzxdx 4 N , of I xlibs i x A ,One of the highlifhts of our stay in North Star Bay and the highlight of the cruise for the A miral was his flight over the North Pole. One morning Admiral Huffman left the snip announcing as he left that he would be back that evening after seeing the North Pole. He flew over the pole in a Navy Privateer which was on an ice reconnaissance flight. When the Admiral got back from inspecting the pole and paying his respects to Santa Claus he was met on the quarterdeck by the Captain, an array of bearded sid- eboys and presented with an exact replica of the North Pole. A few days after his return the ship presented to the Admiral its version of the kind of personal flag a North Pole-soaring Admiral should fly. The Admiral accegted the flag and told us t at the North Pole was so desolate that it would probably be a year or two before any one but Santa Claus would want to establish a permanent home there.

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There were several 0 ortunities for us tgpget some fresh air and stretch our legs. A number of . recreation partiesp consisting of men and beer were landed The men were of course, the crew, and the beer had been loaded just A before we left Norfolk and stowed in the brig. .The recreation parties landed on Sandy Delta gave everyone a chance to get away from the ship for a few hours and to drink a little beer. ' Sandy Delta didn't furnish too much in the way of facilities, but some softball equipment was taken.over, and those who couldn't play with the TACO- NIC Softball team had a chance to throw a ball around or hit a few. There was.also a limited opportunity' to explore a little bit of Greenland up near s glacier and the chance of looking at glacial streams' and lakes, not to ' mention picking flowers and wondering how they grew in suc surroundings.

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Even though we were spending time summer in Greenlan , saturday morn- ings still brought all hands out in their best uniforms for-Captain's inspection. These events provided a break in the usual routine of work and watches, and gave the Capt- ain a chance to take a careful look at all his officers and men. As the marked the end of eacg week, the inspections ser- ved to remind us all of various military facts of life, and the desirability of doing a job in a smart and snappy fashion. Inspections were usually followed by Commendation Mast, where the Captain would congratulate and commend men who had been promoted, and others whose efforts and achievements were worthy of particular no e.