Valley Forge (CV 45) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 64 text:

Arriving at Pagoda Pier we made our way up the main street of Tsingtao. St. Mary's Cathedral was the principal sight to behold. We paused to watch rug makers' nim- ble fingers flying at designs. And still farther on we found shrines to visit.

Page 63 text:

jiingfao I After five and a half increasingly cold days the ship approached the former German Naval Base of Tsingtao. The wind was bitterly cold and the YELLOW SEA a turmoil of muddy water as our ship anchored on 26 February. The low lying, bleak looking city appeared depressing and uninviting as we lined the rail to get our first glimpse of it. Chinese natives embarked in sampans and dressed in heavy quilted suits and coats sculled their way across the choppy water and stood by expectantly in the lee of the mighty VALLEY FORGE. The twin spires of the Roman Catholic Cathedral dominated the city's skyline, otherwise the buildings were low and unpretentious, though modern in appearance. Those who braved the wintry gusts soon found that Tsingtao was quite unlike Hong Kong. By comparison the people in Hong Kong seemed well nourished and happy. Here there was a look of sadness and malnutrition on the faces of nearly everyone. Poverty was evident in the tatters and rags worn by many of the coolies as well as in the frightful crowding of families in the available houses. This was the postwar China we had heard about. mf 'F' A 'l ' l'ii'il ..'i- - ,... Q ' - ,.,..:g, 3 -g'5'l 'l repay, ii i -1.1'S'-'lu'h l7

Page 65 text:

Chinese Midshipmen, who were being trained by the American Navy, came aboard to inspect our ship. In the meantime many of us were reconnoitering temples and shops in the city. The bitter wind made the warm buildings enticing.