Topeka (CL 67) - Naval Cruise Book

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To Give .Us .All .That Smart Topeka Look The Presser i Temperature Normal . . How's Your Pulse . . Up Tomorrow

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any degree of certainty that she would perform with pre- scribed efficiency. Training and teaching were not left to chance. It is far too important for that. Training is a function of the Cap- tain and every officer and man aboard. Topping this con- tinuing program was the Captain. Then came the Executive officer who delegated most of the programls administration to an officer who was designated Education Officer. Every division and assistant officer were his instructors. The re- sults of the program aboard the Topeka can be judged from the promotions in rates the men achieved during the year. -Eiucation in the Navy reached beyond the frontiers of training for technical proficiency in any or all of the cog- nate trades and professions. Men studied prescribed courses in almost any subject, for credit toward a high school di- ploma or a college degree, or for no more apparent reason than the evident one that the man wanted to learn. Men and officers with the technical know-how and the theoretical knowledge of whatever subject were always ready to tutor the ambitious students. And for subjects in which many men were interested, regular classes were held. It was through the education office that the men were constantly kept informed of the rights and privileges that were accruing to them with the passage of one and another of the GI legislative bills. There was an earnest effort on our part to direct the minds of the men toward what was best for them as individuals. This, of course, necessitated spending many hours in interviews with the men, for the most part, singly. Nothing of a manis requirements was neglected. Provi- sions were made for his physical and mental welfare and progress. But that was not all, his spiritual life was seri- ously taken into account, while the Navy did all it could to kindle it and keep it bright by providing the services of a Chaplain. It so happened that during the first year of the Topeka's history she had two Chaplains both of whom were Protestants. All groups were ministered to, and every pro- vision for worship according to a man's conscience or train- ing was made regularly and as frequently as circumstances allowed. And that is not all the Chaplain did. For the most part he had his nose in almost everything that might have effected the men in any navy. Their private and domestic troubles were his concern, primarily because of the confi- dence the men usually have in the Chaplain. Then there was the matter of recreation from education, and reading, to sports, sightseeing trips, concerts, sing-songs, shows, picnics, and their own Magazine. It will not be mere digression to get away from the work and training of the men. Sports and fun were never con- sidered minor matters aboard the Topeka. There was al- ways the conception of doing a thing well whether it was a party and ball game on Mog Mog or a formal dance at the Ritz. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. There was no inordinate amount of play aboard the Topeka-there was not time for that. But .lack of the Topeka was any- thing but dull. He was sharp, he looked sharp, and acted sharp. He worked hard and he played hard. He was en- dowed with as many talents for entertainment and play as for work. His tastes in music ran from Waller to Wagner. Every compartment was equipped with an electric record player that was allowed to cool off only at night. The ship was well stocked with all kinds of records, thanks to our many friends in Topeka, Kansas. But the men did not rely on records for all their music. The Admiralis orchestra was an excellent musical outfit and played sweet and swing to the thorough enjoyment of everyone. Besides the profes- sionals there were many amateurs who played well on any and every instrument from electric guitars to sweetpotatoes. Groups naturally formed and performed formally and in- formally whenever the occasion called for the lighter mood. Singers abounded everywhere. Every division and com- partment had its minstrels-that ancient order of men who originate and sing their ditties and parodies as the moods and circumstances dictate. There is very little room aboard a cruiser for the prac- tice of sports. There was room for boxing, and that proved to be the major sport at sea. There were not many oppor- tunities for matches. After all we were fighting a war and we spent long stretches at sea. But when we spentt any time in port we had smokers on our own ship or another when our boxing team would meet others. Our team was good, and though we did not win every match, we were never disgraced. We had a couple of boys who could hold their own in the professional ranks. Whenever the men could go ashore they played football, basketball, and baseball. There were several team matches at ports in the Pacific. The ship was always well equipped with athletic gear of. all kinds. What we did not have the shore bases were prepared to issue. That was just another indication of the Navy's concern for the welfare of the men. The Topeka was a first class party ship. It started in Boston with two magnificent parties that closely followed the commissioning. The great success of the affairs was due to the fact that the Topeka men enjoyed being together. The major entertainment feature was the movies. There was a show almost every night-even when we were in the forward area-. The ship had her share of poor pictures, but the system of distribution was unexcelled. Real live shows were pretty scarce for us. It was not the fault of the entertainment world that provided many and good shows for the men all over the world. The Topeka just missed. But there were-two native shows that thorough- ly entertained the men, a Hula show in Hawaii, and a Phil- ipino troupe at Leyte. Both played aboard the ship to a great crowd of appreciative sailors. III The war is over, and only one man of the Topeka will not return. She has been a fortunate ship, but she is a good ship because she has good men and good leadership. As this is written there are changes everywhere. Many of the old faces are gone. New men have come to take their places. There is much that is not the same aboard the good ship Topeka. But that is the way it should be-so long as the spirit of the old men is not lost, the spirit that made the Topeka a champion. ' 74-

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A Stitch in Time . . the Tailor . . With So Nimble Fingers . . But Shed a Tear . . Onions Will the Next Appear . Potatoes Now