Tarawa (CV 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 C9-14 December 1948j Since the Tarawa was originally expected to make a short cruise, returning to the news that the Tarawa would visit Hong Kong, ' h la- instead, came as a surprise and led to muc specu tion as to our future ports of call. the States for Christmas, Hong Kong, we found, was an island off the south- east coast of China, which together with Kowloon on the mainland opposite it, forms a British Crown Colony, and naval station, which had become one of the leading ports of the Far East and which continues to stand as Britain's easternmost bastion in the line of Empire. The island itself is about 10 miles long and from two to five miles broad, of rocky formation, and in Victoria Peak it attains a maximum altitude of 1,089 feet. Its area is more than 32 square miles. The name, Hong Kong, signifies place of sweet dreams, and this name is often applied to the great and modern city of Victoria as well. It has been built on the sloping sides of the island by dint of the energy and skill of the British and Chinese together. Our approach to Hong Kong was through the long, narrow entrance into Hong Kong Bay, and after gaining the harbor, a 21-gun salute was fired to the British crown colony of Hong Kong. Our first impression of Hong Kong was that of a modern metropolis, which indeed, it was. Hundreds of ships were anchored in Hong Kong Bay, and berthed to the piers, and on either side of the entrance, factory after factory could be seen, all seemingly engaged in great industry. The Tarawa anchored out in the Bay about one mile from downtown Hong Kong, and soon after arrival, two-thirds of the crew were dispatched in the ship's liberty launches for a first look at the city of Hong Kong. mewhat austere condi- After liberties under the so he resemblance of Hong Kong to tions of Tsingtao, t a modern U.S. city was particularly pleasing. Prac- tically all the restaurants and night clubs in the downtown area fknown as the Central Districtj were ' k and nice places where a sailor could get a stea , maybe cordials, at prices ne much less-than those at home. ver exceeding-and often ors, soldiers, and The city's garrisons of British sail marines were very hospitable and cooperative. Honor- ary memberships in all British enlisted clubs were extended to our men. Hong Kong was literally a sight-seer's paradise. The mixture of many nationalities, and evidence of their re of charm to the solid, customs, lent an atmosphe modern buildings of the downtown district. A visit, not overlooked by many, was made to the top of Victoria Peak, the the city. The view from the top was one to impress the most sophisticated cosmopolite. It included the cities of Hong Kong, Kowloon, the entire reaches of Hong Kong Bay, and the many ships and sampans which thronged the harbor. The rise to the top of the sum- mit was accomplished by a ride of 15 minutes aboard a cable car whose rate of climb would put the cable cars of San Francisco's Powell Street to shame. The tracks rose so steeply on the side of the mountain that at times, they seemed to describe a 60-or at least a 45-degree angle to the mountainside. foothills of which surround It will be a long time before we will forget the many interesting and exciting things which the city of Hong Kong had to offer: and it was with a sense of remorse that the Tarawa and crew said goodbye, and continued their cruise.

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