Tazewell (APA 209) - Naval Cruise Book

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QQXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX Nxxxxxxxxxvv xWNXxxxxxxXXXxx I xxxkxxxx way by schools of playful porpoises. It might be mentioned here how the Ttz::ezz'e!'l acquired her nickname the Mflirefrzfaling T . Enroute to San Pedro, every time the Ship's Screw cleared the water's surface because of lack of ballast, she trembled from stem to stern. Thus the crew dubbed her, the Trembling T . Off the coast of Southern California the Trzzetzfeil was put through her Shakedown cruise. Each day in the early morning, weld put out to sea, and cruise southward along the coast, leaving in our wake Catalina and San Clements Island. At the day's end, we'd return a very tired crew and ship, to the APA filled harbor of San Pedro. The official Shakedown period lasted approxi- mately fourteen days, all of which proved to be busy ones for Ship's crew and Ofstefs alike. During the Shakedown period all guns were fired, speed trials run, data taken, and final adjustments made to bring the Tfzzetuellit performance to that of perfection. The following two weeks saw us through amphibious operations off San Diego. On December 22nd, after a successful Shakedown, we found ourselves northward bound. Three days later, on a very bleak and chilly Christmas day, the ship entered the Snow blanketed port of Seattle, Washington. We were berthed at pier 48, until orders were received to change berths to pier 42. It was here that Army troops were taken aboard. From Seattle our destination-overseas? We aboard considered ourselves most fortunate in that we had been able to enjoy Christmas and New Years in the States, for January 2nd found the Tazewell at Sea, westward bound. I It would be quite Safe to say that our maiden voyage proved to be our roughest one as far as the weather was concerned. After a day or more of riding Neptune's Rollercoaster , soldiers and sailors alike crowded the ship's rails giving up to the sea their meals of bygone hours. I On january 9th, six days after our departure from the States, in the early part of the morning the faint outlines of the Island of Molokai came into view. The island is long and narrow in appearance, and is noted for its Kalawao County, wherein lies the island's famous leper colony. Shortly after, the Isle of Oahu could be Seen, and its green grasses and trees were a pleasant Spectacle after the long days at sea. - The T proudly steamed toward her destination, Honolulu, I-Iawaii. All the crew not on watch lined the rails to greet with interest the scenes that presented themselves. Until now, these landmarks passing in review had been Seen only in pictures by a majority of the men aboard. The mountainous pro- jection which we recognized as Old Diamond. Head loomed suddenly into view off our starboard Side. This picturesque volcano, though extinct for many years, has served to mark one end of I-Ionolulu's huge harbor. Only a short time elapsed before Waikiki's sandy beach was seen with its beautiful and I2 .-1 . x i 1.

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xxxXX9 Nkxxxxxvx XqxxXXXXXXxyx xxyxXXXXXxy X THE IRHVELS UF THE IHZEUIELL The U .S.S. 'l'z1Z6'll'6H QAPA 2099 was to be no longer just the name of the ship to which we had been assigned. She was now as never before a definite and important part of our lives and future, and we a part of hers. A Clicerful October 25, 1944, found us a m03t proud and elated crew aboard a vessel newly com- missioned, but as yet untried. Immediately after the ,o ' traditional commissioning ceremony we made our I departure from pier 27, San Francisco, assisted by I Navy tugs. With the goodbyes and cheers of loved L 9 ones, and well-wishes still ringing in our ears, we NJ were slowly towed across San Francisco Bay. Our destination to be, the Naval Supply Depot at Oak- land. Our stay at the NSD was but a brief one, sup- plies were loaded day and night until all stores were aboard. From the supply depot we re-crossed the bay, this time to the U. S. Naval Drydocks, Hunter's Point. It was here that all minor repairs and alterations were made, which in time would mean so very much to the smooth operation of the ship. It was at Hunteris Point that the 'Trembling T was clothed in her first war painted suit. Zigzagging lines of every shape, size, and color covered the ship's con- tours from stem to stern. Freshly painted and with all necessary repairs com- pleted, the T was pronounced fit for sea. Preparations were then made to get underway for Mare Island. It was there that the ammunition, which was to provide the life's spark of our guns, was loaded. We remained at Mare Island for about a day until loading was completed. Returning to San Francisco we lay at anchor in the stream awaiting further orders. A directive was received sooner than was expected, ordering us to sail for San Pedro, California. The trip from San Francisco to San Pedro was a pleasant one, it lasted only a day, and we were escorted part of the ll

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xQ.xXXXXXXxyx xxXxxXXxXxy xxx fr N Q Xxxx x8 XXXXX 4 . ' i f if if renowned Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Finally, the camouflaged Aloha Tower itself was sighted, we had arrived. A tug took us in tow and we soon were tied up to one of the many piers along Honolulu's water front. ln the few hours that followed, the troops made their way happily but noisily down the gangways erected for their use, carrying their barracks' bags and rilles. Laboriously they made their descent to pier and long sought terra lirma . They disembarked to the strains of sprightly marches and popular melodies played by an Army band on the pier below. It was the arriving doggies war-time welcome to Hawaii. Time flew, and january l0th greeted us with the prospect of liberty. Spotlessly clean in liberty whites, shoes polished to a high gloss, the shore bound Swabbies of the Tremb!mg T stood restlessly assembled for dress inspection. Anxiety reigned as this was our first liberty on foreign shores. Liberty was to commence at 1000 and expire aboard at 1700. This seemed suflicient time to complete a sight-seeing a l shopping tour of Honolulu. this Q! H . Honolulu was found to be a very large and flourishing city. The downtown or business section teemed with con- tinuous activity. Nearly all of the city's many stores of any size, were modernized. Streetcars and busses were to be seen everywhere. Theatres, skating rinks, Q W X - bowling alleys, and other sources of amusement were numerous. Swim- ming at Waikiki proved to be fun since American 's ' girls were frequently to be seen lounging around on theibeach. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel appear- ed as beautiful as the postcards portraying it, and the Poincianas blooming in sweet frag- rance in the colorful cultured garden lent an arresting atmosphere to the scene. I 5 Q k,Q,6'.. XxxxxxXW NXxxxxxxX '- A U ,. a,4u2.LJ ' .. ramp - -A A .U