Shellback - Crossing The Line

[searcher]

BECOMING A SHELLBACK | LIFE AT SEA | SHIP'S vLOG 9​

Joe Franta. Ship


Sailing for over 6 years, I have yet to cross the equator. That all changes, when I earn my Shellback. Thanks again Jeff
11 minutes

 

[Evl Bnkr]

Been there, done that back in '81 on the way to the IO as a member of my favorite canoe club - the USN!! Got the big ol' cert hanging on my office wall...

 

[nickndfl]

I straddled the equator in Ecuador with my last wife. We had a passionate kiss over the line that divides the hemispheres.

 

[Casey Jones]

Went through it on the carrier Vinson (CVN 70) doing a WestPac.

Nope, no kissing. We had about five females in ship's company. Which was the ugliest? ALL OF THEM.

 

[searcher]

doing a WestPac

Hit Subic Bay NB? Olongapo?

Early 70's for me.

 

[searcher]

(CVN 70) doing a WestPac.

USS Carl Vinson (cvn 70) west pac 1998 Wog Day​

13 mins

 

[searcher]

Hit Subic Bay NB? Olongapo?

Have to watch on youtube. Just click on the link.

Olongapo Diary: Two Perspectives from the Vietnam Era​

Stuff of Life


11 mins 43 secs

Jan 21, 2021
Two perspectives from the Vietnam era on Olongapo, the Filipino city neighboring the U.S. Navy base at Subic Bay. Followed by recent photos of Subic Bay and Olongapo. See photos of Subic Bay & Olongapo in 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCEEZ.... See a very critical view, from a later period, of the kinds of things that happened in Olongapo: https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openfo... See R&R in Hong Kong: With a Working Girl": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfCf0... Posted as part of the "War & Life: Discussions with Veterans" project. https://warandlifediscussions.weebly....

 

[Casey Jones]

Hit Subic Bay NB? Olongapo?

Early 70's for me.

No. 1994. Post-Tailhook; Subic was closed.

The CO actually tried to arrange a port of call at the Phillipines...all the old heads had fond memories of PI. Some number were married to Filipinas. Good times of the past.

I wasn't one and I've never been to PI. The stories the old-timers told, were intriguing...but the past is the past.

We did Perth and Hobart on the way home. Ship's party was to be in Perth...but the civilian MWR organizer, in Perth, was setting things up: Rent a hall, get supplies, put out various ads and notices: "Ladies! Come meet the men on the USS CARL VINSON!"

Some swish complained to the Australian Human Rights office, why weren't the BOYS being invited to come meet those lovely sailors...?

The Human Rights office made inquiry to the U.S. Consulate. That was forwarded to the American ambassador, who forwarded it to the State Department. To the Pentagon, to the Department of the Navy, and down the chain to our captain, who was up for an Admiralty. Carrier command is a stepping stone for those being considered for advancement.

So, the Captain got the unwritten message. SHIP'S PARTY CANCELLED. Instead, there was to be a picnic at an orphanage. All the ship's officers and a few brown-nose flunky enlisted, like Commander Seventh Fleet's driver...went to the picnic.

The rest, all the enlisted who had liberty...were on the waterfront, getting drunk in various pubs.

 

[searcher]

Yeah, he got in when the Philippines were wide-open for the Navy

Olongapo was a favorite port. Just across Shit River from Subic. lol

First West Pac was 1971. Ice Cold San Miguel, monkey meat on a stick, the bars, etc.





**Note: Moved thread from the loneliness thread to here as I didn't want to muck up the loneliness thread with my walk down memory lane.