USS BULWARK (MSO-425)
c/o FLEET POST OFFICE
NEW YORK,NEW YORK
Dear Parents,Relatives or Wives
When I last wrote it was to tell you our prospective deployment to the Mediterranean and duty with
the Sixth Fleet.Now I write in a much happier vein,it is to tell you something of our trip and our return home.
Because of a sudden change in the political situation in the Middle East,our arrival home has been
delayed until about 16 or 17 June.The "Powers that be" have found it necessary to keep the minesweepers in close proximity
to this troubled part of the world until relieving division is here to take our place.So we must wait until 25 May before
we can depart the island of Rhodes, our present port of call.
I have drawn a small map of the Mediterranean to give you some idea of our various visiting ports
and to show the tremendous amount of steaming which the ship has done.By the time we return to Charleston we will have steamed
some 14.000 miles which is over half way round the world.
We have visited many ports, some were good and some were poor ports but
in any case each man
has come away with a greater understanding of the people of the Mediterrean.He has also found,I'm sure ,a much greater appreciation
of his own country.
In each port there was ample opportunity for liberty.Tours to the historical points of interest
were offered,possibly you already have news of these trips.I made several tours myself and found them very interesting.
The ship was fortunate on emergency leave.There was only one case of emergency leave and the man
was back at his home in the matter of some 120 hours.
There has been a few minor ailments but the physical well being of the crew is good.We were always
close enough to big ships to recieve the services of a doctor if required,however most of our ailments were handled onboard.
The food for the most part has been excellent.We pride ourselves in our cooks who have done an excellent
job throughout the trip.Naturally we have not always had all of the fresh things we want but have eaten well.
I must admit we have been disappointed at times in our mail service and
particularly during the
period since we were called to the Middle EAst from the French Riviera.We trust that our letters home were handled with
dispatch.
The men have had ample opportunity to buy the very best of souvenirs
for the many authorized merchants who
cater to the ships of the Sixth
Fleet, and I know of many who took advantage of these wonderful buys.
The trip has offered a wealth of experience to the ship and to its crew. we accept now some of the
more difficult evolutions of sipboard life as a matter of routine.The ship has taken part in several major fleet exercises
and had adequate oppertunity to exercise at its primary
function of mine sweeping.
Upon our return to Charleston we expect to grant the maximum in leave to the crew.Our change in
arrival dates has complicated the issue somewhat but by the time we sail on the 25th we hope to be able to definitely form
the leave schedule.
It is also intended that maximum liberty will be granted durning our
inport period.The crew is
working hard getting much of the necessary
work done on the ship so that routine "housekeeping" will be all that
is
required durning our leave period.
I want to extend to each of you a cordial invitation to visit the ship
at any time.You will be
most welcome.It is intended that during the summer the ship will have a Family Cruise for one day.We would like you to be
our guest for a trip to sea.However there will be more about that later.
In closing I should like to say that I feel each man aboard has contributed something to make this
trip a successful one.The men have worked hard and deserve a great deal of credit.Each of you can feel a measure of pride
in your son or husband.
Our homecoming will be a joyous occasion and I know that each of you are anxiously awaiting the
day just as we are.
Sincerely
H.ORTLAND III
LT. USN
COMMANDING OFFICER
FROM GARY JONES
