The Port Visit
As discussed the welcome in Port of Spain was low key.
During the cruise south each ship had selected members of the cruise to be briefed and trained as the US Navy’s first shore patrol.
Upon receiving the cool reception Admiral Evans granted liberty to two thousand sailors who went ashore to visit the city.
The sailors as above shopping the markets found fresh fruit, straw hats, monkeys, parrots, parakeets and high prices.
The port rated a pretty low score when it came to liberty.
According to one sailor it was one of the most boring places he had been to and he remarked:
“When we pulled in, there were no people around and almost everything was closed up. Just one building was open that had any beer in it. By the time we made it to the shore the stuff was hot as hell. It was just like drinking boiler water”
Another sailor remarked aside from “looking at the flowers and visiting a leper colony” there was not much else to do.
Despite the prevailing atmosphere the Fleet found ways to enjoy the holiday season
Boats were sent ashore to gather bamboo, palm fronds and vines to decorate the ships.
Crews put on shows aboard the ships and took liberty boats to go ship to ship caroling.
Sports competitions with boxing, wrestling and boat racing between the ships were organized for Christmas Day.
Christmas Day the cooks provided a typical New England style dinner with roast home & turkey, cranberry sauce, candied yams, mince pies and plumb pudding.
The next instalment will cover the labourious task for steam ships - “coaling ship”
Regards
Sean
