Waccamaw (AO 109) - Naval Cruise Book

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MEDITERRANEA CRUISE WACCAMAW'S trip to the Mediter- ranean began on May 4th, 1966, just as Sum' ' f lk r a. mer was descending upon the Nor o a e Families and friends were left standing at Pier 123 the sounds of the band grewfainter and fainter, and the low, rolling coastline of North America dropped quickly from sight. The nine day crossing of the Atlantic was uneventful except for the sightings of whales, porpoise, and one small sailing craft carrying two men to Europe. Then, on 13 May, the rugged coastline of Spain appeared and WACCAMAW dropped anchor alongside the USS SEVERN at Rota. After relieving SEVERN and chopping to the Sixth Fleet, WACCAMAW departed Rota on 16 May and entered the Mediter- ranean Sea. Right away she got a taste of what was to be expected of her for the next five months as units of TASK FORCE 60.2 came at her in quick succession. The new crew members learned their jobs quickly and turned to, intent upon showing just what a Jumbo oiler could do. She was going to be the best or know the reason why! That first week also saw WACCAMAW to the most easterly point of her cruise as she transitedl the Dardanelles, crossed the Sea of Marmara, and arrived at Istanbul, Turkey, on 24 May. After spending seven days at Istanbul, WACCAMAW departed 31 May to conduct amaj or under way replenish- ment with TASK FORCE 60.2 as they again ,crossed the Sea of Marmara. By this time the fuel load had been drastically reduced so a refueling stop was made at Suda Bay, Crete. WACCAMAW ar- rived there on 4 June and, on 6 June, de- parted for Rhodes, where she rejoined the task force on the 7th. After spending three very enj oyable days in Rhodes , WACC AMAW was again underway, carrying out her as- signed mission. J une 20th saw WACCAMAW entering the port which would be her second home during the ensuing months, Naples, Italy There the fuel load was topped off and on 29 June, WACCAMAW set sail for Pollensa, Majorca, where units of the Sixth Fleet were gathering to hold discussions on the forthcoming exercises. WACCAMAW left Pollensaon1July and arrived at the beautiful Italian Riviera City of Rapallo on 4 July. On 10 July WACCAMAW sadly departed Rapallo for eleven hard- working, difficult days at sea. 21 July saw her in Naples for a one day fuel loading followed by another difficult two weeks at sea. Having arrived on 1 August, WAC.. CAMAW relaxed for five days at Palermo, Sicily, before another ten days at sea and a return to Naples, on 15 August, for a fifteen day Tender Availability. Upon completion of the Tender Avail- ability WACCAMAW departed Naples and steamed for the Greek port of Argostoli where she had the pleasure of refueling the submarine USS TRIGGER. On 1 September she departed Argostoli for a five day trip terminating at Athens, Greece. For ten days WACCAMAW anchored in the bay at Piraeus while the crew saw the sights and toured the ruins of ancient Greece. Then, on 16 September, she left for another arduous ten days at sea. On 26 September, WACC AM AW visited Naples for the last time this cruise. She left there on 1 October to begin her homeward journey. Arrival at Valencia, Spain on 5 Octoberwas followed by two disappointing days because wind conditions prevented the Liberty Boats from reaching the shore. WACCAMAWth6I1 set sail on the last leg of her cruise with the Sixth Fleet, arriving at Gibraltar on9 October. After being relieved by the USS CALOOSAHATCHEE, she began the long trip to Norfolk. Eleven days of steady steam- ing at max speed raised the familial' coastline on the horizon and as WACCA' MAW negotiated the last mile of her 20,000 mile journey, the friends and families left behind 170 days before were once again Un the pier waiting to welcome home the well trained men who made up WACCAMAVWS salty crew.