Tarawa (CV 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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GIBR L Relieve the Watchf' HUS THE CRY rang out over the still air on the gray, not too cold morning of 10 De- cember l95l. Another great man-0-war of the Atlantic Fleet, United States Navy, assumed the duty as guardian of the peace in the vast jewel- like Mediterranean Sea. How many 'frelieve the watch cries had echoed over this famous expanse called the Mediterranean Sea, no one could imagine. But the 6th Fleet has been adding to the number already established by the fleets of many nations, including the small sailing units of Greek mythology which is such an important starting point, some 500 years before Christ. If, today, Homer could picture the sea in which he cast so many of his adventurous charac- ters he would indeed be filled with amazement. After the formalities of Captain Duerfeldt of the TARAWA relieving Captain Dudley of the LEYTE were concluded, and with orders from the Sixth Fleet in hand, the TARAWA steamed eastward from Gibraltar and prepared for her new role in the Mediterranean. Since this was the first big job handed the TARAWA since her days in the moth- ball fleet many eyes would be turned in this direc- tion to evaluate her worth. Not too many, however, doubted the ability of this gallant ship and her captain. It was not so long ago that our Captain had put the TARAWA through its paces in a stren- uous exercise called LantFlex and had emerged with a proud record. The Watch was properly relieved. The pride of Prudenfial. Dudley 'lo Duerfeldl, Boy! am I glad +0 see you. Sisfers- Terrible T and Leading Ley+e

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Our in+roduc+ion 'ro open-air cafes. H15 CITY of Augusta did not present a great deal of interest to the men from the TARAXVA who went ashore there. The tours to the other coastal cities, however, did serve as an interesting introduction to Europe., lN7ith a local history of 2500 years, or more, Syracuse, or Siracusa lay to the south, of our anchorage and we were obliged to travel by bus over the snake-like but well- kept roads to get there. Orange, olive, and grain lands are .so precious in this region that roads are seldom changed over the centuries. But the trip was well worthwhile for there we found many interesting sights such as the ancient Greek and Roman amphitheatres, the still beautiful St. Marzions church, the second oldest in Christendom, and the impressive Mussolini-built water- front. Other tour groups went to Taormina and Catania which are overshadowed by the smoldering cone of Mt. Etna. Principally a resort town, Taormina had many beautiful homes overlooking the sea and like the nearby city of Catania, had streets paved with blocks of lava. Below: We also learned 'ro divide +l'ue asking price by lliree and slarl' from 'I'l1ere in making any purchase. Below: Most local Taxis had four hooves. Above: Our in+roduc+ion +o lhe European bere+