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SECOND WORLD CRUISE, 1954
We will long remember our World Cruise. Together we experienced all kinds
of weather, knew the excitement and anticipation of arriving at new ports,
associated with foreign people and heard unfamiliar languages, saw many
strange sights, tasted the peculiar foods of the Far East, worked and
operated under all sorts of conditions, and made some pretty good liberties
too. And together we sailed home and knew the great joy of being welcomed
by those we love. Joined with our own memories and souvenirs, this book
will ensure that we will not forget our long voyage as shipmates on USS
DOUGLAS H. FOX.
It was Wednesday, the 3rd of February 1954, a dark and dreary day. This
was the morning, dreaded by many, but eagerly awaited by others. Last
minute preparations were being completed, stragglers clothing was off-loaded,
and additional stores were carried aboard. The crew mustered at quarters
and final farewells were made. Atop the pilothouse, Captain Sharpe told
his phone talker "Cast off all lines". Our long cruise had begun.
Accompanied by the USS RANDOLPH (CVA-15), and our constant companion, USS
STORMES (DD 780), we crossed a rough Atlantic and passed through the
Straight of Gibraltar, and arrived in Napoli on the morning of the 26th
of February, in its beautiful and famous bay, under majestic Mount
Vesuvius. A major engineering casualty lengthened our stay, making
more extensive tours possible to places such as Roma, the Eternal City
and Pompeii, ancient Roman summer resort and playground. From Italia,
we steamed calmly and smoothly to Port Said (and our first close look
at the Royal Navy), gateway to the Suez Canal. On the 3rd of March, we
departed from Aden, Saudi Arabia, a major oil exporting city for Colombo,
Ceylon, arriving the 11th of March. On the 14th of March we crossed the
equator and were taken over by Neptunus Rex, something many of us will not
forget. Then on to Singapore, the gateway to the Pacific, arriving on the
17th of March, and finally Japan, where we operated out of Yokosuka, Kobe
and Sasebo, and off the East Coast of Korea until the 30th of June. Then
we departed and were homeward bound via Midway Island and Pearl Harbor,
arriving in San Francisco on the 17th of July. After two weeks on the
West Coast, we sailed south to Balboa, passed through the Panama Canal
on the 11th of August, and finally on the 16th of August 1954, six and
one-half months after leaving Norfolk, we were back home.
Some statistics are: Steamed 41,253 miles while underway 119 days,
refueled at sea 18 times, expended more than 1000 rounds of 3" and 5"
ammunition, had 46 days ashore on liberty, drank 198,625 cups of coffee,
and smoked 895,020 cigarettes. It was an experience we will never forget.
This account was contributed by Jack Baylor, RMSN, 1953-5,
jmrbaylor@juno.com
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