Valley Forge (CV 45) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 84 text:

ck ? a 1 : he VAA, AV.,.4,,, ,,,., A.V., , . , There were several British Men-o'-War anchored'in the harbor. The dense jungle border- ing it was the habitat of many species of wild life.

Page 83 text:

l U'lCOI'I'la, 89 After steaming through Malacca Straits VALLEY FORGE crossed the Bay of Bengal and headed for the Northeastern coast of Ceylon and the harbor of Trincomalee. Early on the morning of l5 March Foul Point Light, just outside the harbor, was sighted. HAPPY VALLEY proceeded to the mouth of the harbor and through the narrow, twisting channel and moored to buoy number ONE. The jungle surrounded harbor is the only one in Ceylon or lndia that is completely sheltered. The British Naval Base is located here. The town of Trincomalee has a population of some l0,000. As the liberty parties disembarked at Pepper Pot Pier they were greeted by naked boys who were diving for coins in the clear water. Passing through the gates the men were deluged with rickshaw drivers desperately trying to get the American bluejackets to give them their business, and Ceylonese and Singhalese hawkers who all but dragged them into their hastily impro- vised shops. lt seemed that every business house in Colombo had sent salesmen with goods to Trincomalee. There were ebony elephants, precious stones, leopard skins, mats, coconut carvings, wood carvings, and fresh fruits, along with many other items, being sold. The fine featured, dark complexioned, colorfully saronged natives watched the Americans inquisi- tively as they started their bargaining. We had become practiced hands in the Oriental art of haggling over prices. ln spots, the air reverberated with the shouting of native salesmen and American bluejackets having it out over the price of some item. Here and there the spectacle was interesting enough to have drawn a large crowd who stopped to watch and listen. In the pastures along the open road sacred cows grazed peacefully and bands of monkeys frolicked in the trees. Two-wheeled carts drawn by oxen creaked by on the road. The British Forces extended many courtesies to the officers and men including tours to the two ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa and Anuradapura. These cities, 3 hours distant from Trincomalee, thrived in the 6th Century B.C. The small villages which were passed were very primitive. Finally as the long, hard ride neared its end, the ancient dams and reservoirs came into view. Their preservation is remarkable. The extent of the ancient cities and their surrounding suburbs was surprising. The ancient shrines and other sacred buildings have been partially excavated, so we could see the glory of this ancient city. It was hard to realize we were walking through the remains of so old a civilization. The enormous dagabas built of earth and covered with clay brick were shaped like half-spheres or bells and the manhours consumed in their construction must have compared with those on the Egyptian pyramids. There are numerous small shrines which have been restored. Buddhist priests in their yellow robes and shaved heads were occasionally seen. But this was only a part of our experience in Ceylon. 1 llalfgi f, X far., '-m.r-L'x.f-LVN.:-UL Ju-..rx.n y ff FP I Q 6 1 'Ml ll I f ft .115 . in rryyr we frrl 5 in fy 'i,' V. I' e f . L ' P an 4 A . P lifllm 1-, , h unmwm. mmnmumunu ' 1, aww , V - ' ' Q- Q, ff'

Page 85 text:

2 3 3 5' 3 Those who couldn't go on the tours spent their time along the shore of Trincomalee watching the native boats and the surf, or taking in the shops. ln the meantime VALLEY FORGE entertained many visitors. '