New Britain herald., 1927-04-30


 abrupt a refusal 10 leave the har- bor. Immediately he issued orders
 to have the decks cleared for action
 The action never came but the L,
 s. s. Brooks remained in kiel har- bor until the transport Fredericks ar
 rived and was escorted on the first leg of its journey home. That is
 one of the noble traditions of the
 United States navy that orders must
 be obeyed at no matter what cost
 even to the defiance of the orders
 of a foreign power.
 l Following this incident, Dordel- mans ship was sent to Riga, Russia, This was just about the time that the Bolshevlks had seized the govern ment there and the Brooks was held in readiness for action if needed. On shore leave. Dordolman and his mates found it difficult 10 exchange their money because on one day they would ne dealing in Bolshevik currency while on the next nothing but stardard Russian money would be recognized. Nevertheless. the "cohs' saw the sights and made the most Of their time on leave.
 From there the ship went to Copenhagen, Denmark, one of the most beautiful cities in the world in Dordelman's opinion. After that the reXt port Of call was Sheerness. Eng land. At this port, the crew of the 1l,, e,t, .n I ,l the sailors availed themselves Of the opportunity to See the capital of the British Empire. On all sides they were cordially greeted and all the wonders Of the famous English city were viewed by pordelman and the crew.
 Then they proceeded to Gibraltar, the fertilization maintained by the British Empire at the junction of the Atlantic ocean and Mediterra- mean sea, Sailor Dordelman gives a vivid description Of this wonder ful sight as ship goes sailing by. On the Atlantic side, the fortifica- tions can be seen high up on the rocky mount while around the cor her on the Mediterranean side, the same picturesque view is to be had. From one side person can look off into Africa.
 Here Dordelman and his mates visited the race tracks and almost invariably the bluejackets bet on horses that haven't come in yet and thn1r o | to ship dead broke"
 In Mediterranean Storm
 Into the Adriatic sea, the ship proceeded. bound for Constantlnople, wonder city Of the Turkish Empire When out two days, a terrific storm broke and hit the Brooks, disabling her SO that instead of continuing on it's course the destroyer was forced to turn about and ride with the storm. The bridge had been hit by the mountainous waves and had been driven back three inches while all hands had to be kept below for fear Of being swept overheard The Brooks limped into port q day later arriving in Splato, Dalmatia at the head of the Adriatic sea. It repairs were made. Here in this in- land port was written scarcely known chapter of the World War. The port had been leased by the Austrlans and had been seized after bloody fighting by the Italians. Then the ship proceeded to Ven
 ice. Italy. beauty city of the Italian
 southern coast The crew was giv-
 on shore leave and took the oppor-
 tunity Of seeing all the historic places of interest in the city and O, riding the gondolas through the
 canals of the city built in among l the waters.
 l Dordelman took this opportunity ! to visit Vienna in Austria and in his mind, Paris, London or all the other | European cities cannot compare
 with the beauties of Vienna. On the way back, the sailors visited Romo and Milan and viewed the ancient i ruins Of the coliseum and other l points which are the meccas of tour l ists travelling in that part Of the world. On board again. they pro- ceeded to Catalina where Admiral Philip Andrews was taken aboard ! on his way to take over command of the AdriatlC station. While here Dordelman visited the Cataract, on. of the seven wonders Of the world. Then on to Constantinople pro- ceedcd the destroyer. The journey
 was made through the world famous Corinthian Canal, the oldest in the world. This passage has been cut through solid rock and leaves room for only one vessel to pass through either way at a time.
 At Constantinople the American 'gobs" visited the mosque of St Sofia. known throughout the world and viewed the old world in it's most ancient forms. Minarets and tenn
 ples abound there making it n veri- table fairyland for the visitor. Smyr- ma came next, with It's places visited by Christ and His disciples: Messina
 Alexandretta, Beirut, Jaffa and Jer- usalem were all visited in turn, the business being an official call on the American consuls, but for the sail ors, 1t being pleasure trip to view the sacred places trodden in ancient times by Christ Himself. Visits were paid to Mount Sinai. the Garden ol
 Olives and the burial place o' Christ and impressions were gained there that will never be forgotten. While here the Turks and Greeks became embroiled over the posses
 sion of Sam Son and the Brooks
 was ordered ther" to protect Amer ican interests. The crew viewed the famous burning of sam Son" while in the harbor.
 Then came the welcome orders tt return home. With flags flying and friendly populacc cheering them 70 the last echo, the Brooks steam