In the Navy, I went aboard her in 1954, she was berthed in Seattle, I went aboard her at night. She looked so big tied up there. I was relieved, never get seasick on anything this big. She was a troopship, 622 feet in length, and while I was aboard her, we took troops and passengers, dependents, to Yokohama Japan, and then on up to Pusan or Inchon, and then back home. Made one trip to Okinawa, and berthed in San Diego and San Francisco as well as Seattle.
I think of her during this holiday season, we had NO Christmas on one of our trips. I think going over to Japan, we crossed the International Date Line and lost a day. That day was December 25, and I think it was in 1955. We had quite a few children on board, so we never told them. We printed a "Plan Of The Day," each day, and even though it was, the 26th, we called it the 25th.
Many had spent Christmas away from home, for one reason or another, but it is difficult to celebrate the day, "at sea." We made it as "Christmassee" as possible for the children, and Santa did leave presents aboard ship, so he was aware of our plight. He had quite a logistics problem showing up on a day that did not exist, it had to be a problem issue on his schedule.
"What did I do," you ask. Well, it is a long story, but when I went aboard her, they didn't need me, or even know I was arriving. They made me the "Chaplain's Assistant." Later on, worked in the Personnel Office and was the "Diary Yeoman." The Diary is that last thing to leave the ship prior to sailing. Actually, the ship does not sail till the Diary is off the ship. Had some tense moments. "Diary Yeoman to the Bridge." heard that a few times, it meant get it all done and get your butt up here with the Diary so the pilot can take it with him.
I enjoyed my time aboard the "Mitch" .... good memories.
