Evening star., 1955-01-16
Nays Family Special Speeding Westward
BORideLuxuY Train
Carrying Dependents
OF Transferred Men
BY John v. Horner
S,ot Staff cersspcndens

NORFOLK. Jan. I5.-A care
free crowd Of women and chill
dren dependents Of Kcyy men
on ships at sea--are riding q
luxurious train through the West
today. bound for new homes in
ports along the California coast.
In a novel undertaking, more
than $50 Navy dependents are
being transferred together from
Norfolk so they will be on hand
to welcome their menfolk when
they take up new stations with
the Pacific Fleet. They left late
yesterday.
The Navy Family Special"
first Of its kind in history, re-
suited from the shift of 33 war;
ships from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. This is the largest move
ment Of vessels since World
War II.
The special train not only
spares Navy wives the trouble
of making their way across coun-
try with their small fry, but is
boosting the morale of the men
at sea, who know their loved
ones are receiving every atten-
ton conceivable.
Warm Welcome Assured.
When the women and children
arrive at Long Beach and San
Diego. they are assured warm
civic welcome. plus housing for
an indefinite period.
The idea for the special train
originated in the Office Of Naval
Personnel. It was explained this
way by Vice Admiral j. L. Hol-
loway. jr., chief Of that office:
when it was first announced
that the transfer of 80 ships
from the East Coast to the West
Coast was q military necessity, /.
1t took very little reflection to
realize that the time was again
at hand for those In authority in
the Navy to accept and exercise
the traditional responsibility Of
the Navy to take care of its
own
ITO prevent the Inconvenience
tand in some cases severe hard
ship to the dependents OF all
personnel involved that would
certainly ensue. plans were
therefore formulated and ma
cf1inery set in motion to solve
for our men and their depend
ents as many Of the problems
arising as possible"
Cites Auto Hazards.
Admiral Holloway pointed out
that travel by automobile during
and shortly after the Christmas
holiday is often dangerous, es-
pecially for unescorted wives and
children. He said the trip from
coast to coast. even under the
most favorable driving condi-
tions, has always been considered
"a mans job" Then the admiral
added:
This special through train
was secured to forestall the haz-
ards of driving by furnishing for
as many as possible Of our Navy
dependents safe travel facilities
and a not inconsequential con-
tribution is the peace of mind
brought to the men in our ships
by the knowledge that their
families are secure and pro-
vided for"
The Navy must bear the cost
of transferring dependent per-
sonnel under these circum-
stances. But families had the
option Of taking the special train
or going west on their own.
Enough volunteered for the train
to make it possible.
The train is due In San Diego
at las pm. Monday.
Seven Pregnant Women.
Among those aboard are more
than 100 children under 5 years
Of age, about so between 6 and
II years--and seven pregnant
women. But the Navy was pre-
pared.
Also aboard are a doctor, two
nurse lieutenants and three
Wave medical corpsmen. They
work out Of a specially prepared
sick bay and are ready for any
eventuality. II any Of the preg-
nant women goes into labor, the
train will be stopped SO she can
be sent to a hospital. The staff