PHILSEA HISTORY FROM 60 YEARS AGO.  Compliments of Vic Holmquist

 Various activities were arranged at the our Ports-of-call by the Welfare and Recreation Officer.
One was an excursion to Rome which included an audience with the Pope for the Catholics in the
group. Since it was a 5 day duration, it would  have been charged to leave. I did not sign up,
preferring to save leave for use back home.
 This article from All Hands Magazine
 USS Philippine Sea Visits the Isle of Capri  When the aircraft carrier USS  Philippine Sea (CV
47) visited  Naples, Italy, 300 crew members  were treated to a tour of the Isle of  Capri. The visit
to Capri consisted  of a one-day tour by a group of  men on each of three days.  The Italian navy
served as host for  the visit to Capri, some 18 miles  from Naples. and provided a fast  corvette
for transportation. The  journey by water to the island was  itself one of the highlights of the 
tour. for the sailors passed majestic  Mt. Vesuvius and Sorrento before  docking at Capri. The
time of arrival  was approximately 1030. From  that time till 1700 each day.  The  hours belonged
to the American  visitors.  Many of the men hired taxis which  drove them through the hills and
 past luxurious homes of wealthy celebrities.   Others rented boats and  cruised to the famous
''Blue Grotto"  -a cave in the rocky cliffs which is  tranquil and lovely though angry  waves lash
at its entrance.   Other bluejackets spent their time  souvenir shopping, while some  basked in the
warm sun on the seashore  and swam in the crystal-clear  water along the beach.   Capri's
restaurants scattered over  the hillside provided fine food. plus  many splendid views. A dinner of
 spaghetti and Italian red wine in a  garden overlooking the town and  the sea was considered by
many to  be the best part of the day.   The return voyage, too, was extremely  enjoyable- - even to
men who  had spent many years aboard ship.   The small, trim vessel sliced through  the
glass-smooth sea, sending up a  fine green spray which was highlighted  by the setting sun and
 whisked away in the cool evening  breeze. As the American sailors  lounged on deck, their hosts
assembled  a small orchestra of guitars, accordions  and violins which produced  lilting Latin
music until the ship  reached Naples.  The generosity and thoughtfulness  of the Italian navy
provided an excellent  opportunity for the sailor of  the two nations to increase their  mutual
understanding and friendship.

Return To Mail

Return to Home Page