The great event for me on the Hugh L Scott was the crossing the line ceremony. The Americans went for it in a big way. The ships hooter sounded off as we crossed the equator and it was announced that we were crossing the line, at this hundreds of troops rushed to look over the side, this was the funniest reaction of all as there was nothing to see but the sea. Neptune came aboard and held court on a platform on the quarterdeck above a canvas swimming pool. We rookies had to sit in front of him and swear to owe allegiance to him as a "shellback". Then we were shaved with a big wooden razor and the chair we sat on tilted backwards and we landed in the pool. When we were dragged from the pool we were blobbed on the head with some purple dye then chased off the quarter deck. We finally had to queue up for our "Crossing the Line" certificates, before we could mix with the other "shellbacks".
To mark the crossing the line ceremonies, the ship give a party on the night with plenty to eat and followed by a show in the dining hall (with tables raised) - it was an enjoyable day.
After crossing the line things began to get more serious, the ship was blacked out at night and we were told that it was an offence to throw anything overboard (Japanese submarines were active in the area). The weather of course was beautiful and I was beginning to tan nicely, all we wore all day was shorts and sandals which I had bought at the P.X. After about a fortnight on the "General High L Scott" (she was a slow ship) it was announced one day that the next morning we would be going into harbour. The place we were going was finally announced - Milne Bay, New Guinea.
Comments
Post a Comment