6 SEPTEMBER '45
THE BATAAN STEAMS INTO TOKYO
BAY, THUS FULFILLING THE DESTINY FORECAST BY THE SHIP'S SONG. WE DROP
ANCHOR BETWEEN YOKOSUKA AND YOKOHAMA, ABOUT FIVE MILES OFF SHORE. IN THE
AFTERNOON, THE SHIP SAILS OUT OF TOKYO BAY, BOUND FOR OKINAWA TO PICK UP
PASSENGERS FOR THE LONG TRIP HOME. AT DUSK, WITH FUJIYAMA ON THE
STARBOARD BEAM, THE USUAL ORDER "DARKEN SHIP" IS HEARD. THEN AFTER A FEW
SECONDS, THE BOATSWAIN'S MATE CALLS OUT, "LIGHTEN SHIP." THE LIGHTS GO
ON AGAIN TO THE SOUND OF CHEERING, FOR THE WAR AT LAST SEEMS REALLY
OVER, AND THE BATAAN IS HOMEWARD BOUND.
8 - 10 SEPTEMBER
'45
THE SHIP IS ANCHORED IN
BUCKNER BAY AT OKINAWA. PASSENGERS, 549 OF THEM, ARE TAKEN ABOARD, BUT
UNFORTUNATELY, NO FRESH PROVISIONS. SPAM AND APPLE BUTTER REMAIN THE
MAINSTAYS OF OUR MEALS. ON THE TENTH, WE WEIGH ANCHOR AND ARE OFF FOR
PEARL HARBOR.
10 - 20 SEPTEMBER
'45
UNDERWAY FOR PEARL HARBOR.
SPAM, SPAM, AND MORE SPAM.
20 -25 SEPTEMBER
'45
PEARL HARBOR, WE LOSE OUR WEST
COAST PASSENGERS, PICK UP SOME MORE EAST COAST ONES AND RECEIVE SOME
BADLY NEEDED FRESH PROVISIONS. PEACE -- IT'S STILL WONDERFUL; FRESH
VEGETABLES -- THEY'RE WONDERFUL, TOO. ON THE 25TH WE ARE HOMEWARD BOUND
AGAIN. THIS TIME FOR PANAMA. WE FLY THE HOMEWARD BOUND PENNANT,
STRETCHING FROM MAINMAST TO FLIGHT DECK, AND BUOYED UP BY SOME
OPTIMISTIC BALLOONS, IT'S A GAY AND HAPPY SIGHT.
