1952 drill for USS Kimberly Hong Kong visit

EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S MEMORANDUM #9-52 [This information was submitted to The Korean War Educator by KIMBERLY veteran Don Pribble, Danville, IL.]

SUBJECT: Hong Kong Visit, Information Concerning

PURPOSE

The purpose of this memorandum is to publish the information now held concerning Hong Kong. Its scope is to cover security, liberty, shore patrol, venders, recreation, amusement and miscellaneous general information.

SECURITY

Following special security regulations will apply for the duration of the KIMBERLY’s stay in Hong Kong:

a. Ship’s Security:

The following watches will be stood at all times: OOD (Officer or CPO) - side arms Gangway Petty Officers - side arms Gangway Messengers (2) – (One to be opposite side of quarterdeck from OOD) - Belt Bow Sentry - Carbine Stern Sentry - Carbine Security Watch - side arms Auxiliary Engineering - Communications (Visual & Radio) - No boats or sampans will be allowed to tie up alongside the ship, excepting those disembarking passengers and the garbage boats. Sentries shall be constantly alert to prevent merchants and vendors from coming aboard at unauthorized places. They shall also be alert for attempted sabotage or pilferage. The Master-At-Arms force shall constantly patrol the ship to prevent any unauthorized people from coming aboard and to insure the merchants allowed aboard remain on the fantail. A fire hose shall be rigged on the forecastle and fantail to ward off persistent venders and merchants.

b. External Security: All hands are instructed not to discuss the following in the presence of foreign nationals or at any time ashore: General or specific information regarding U.S. personnel Characteristics or number of ships, aircraft, electronics, Armaments, special equipment or communications. Names and designations of U.S. Armed Forces, location and prospective movements of Naval Ships, aircraft or other units of the Armed Forces. The Chinese Reds have been known to use girl informers who frequent bars, restaurants, and hotels. Guard your conversation at all times.

LIBERTY

Liberty will be granted to two-thirds of the ship commencing at 1100 daily and expiring on the pier (Blakes Pier) at 2400 for all non-rated men. Liberty for all rated men will expire at 0200 on the pier. Officers shore leave and CPO liberty will expire on board at 0745. Liberty is restricted to Hong Kong and Kowloon; however everyone must leave Kowloon by sunset. This precautionary measure is necessary due to the close proximity of the Communist Chinese border. Anyone crossing the border would probably be making a one-way trip. Uniform for liberty will be undress whites with neckerchief except for officers and chief petty officer, whose uniform will be Service Dress Khaki with coat (after 1800). Dress whites for Officers and Chiefs is optional except it will be mandatory at social events or any occasion where prescribed by Commodore Hong Kong. The uniform of the day aboard ship will be undress whites for the crew and wash khaki with ties for all others. Dungarees will be worn for work which may be ruinous to whites and under no circumstances after 1600. Wearing of civilian clothes by officers is encouraged. A coat and tie must be worn. Slacks and Aloha shirts are not permitted.

SHORE PATROL

The Shore Patrol shall consist of the following: One Officer (LTJG or above) One Chief Petty Officer Five Petty Officers The Shore Patrol shall be landed one half hour before liberty commences daily, and shall report to Royal Navy Provost Marshall Headquarters, HMC TAMAR (Wellington Barracks) for instructions and stationing. The uniform for shore patrol will be: Officer - Service Dress Khaki with brassard Chief Petty Officer - Service Dress Khaki with brassard Petty Officers - Undress Whites, neckerchiefs, Night stick, and brassard Shore Patrol assignments will be made prior to arrival in port. Orders will be picked up at the ship’s office by the shore patrol officer at 1000 daily.

RECREATION AND AMUSEMENT

The following recreational facilities are listed for your convenience:

CHURCHES

Church of England

• 1. Holy Trinity Church
• 2. St. Luke’s Chapel Wellington Barracks
• 3. St. John’s Cathedral Royal Navy Hospital
• 4. St. Andrew’s Church

Church of Scotland and Free Churches

• 1. Sailors & Soldiers Home 22 Hennessey Road
• 2. English Methodist Church Queens Road East
• 3. Gospel Hall Dudolt Street
• 4. Hillwood Road Baptist Church Kowloon

Roman Catholic

• 1. St. Joseph’s Garden Road
• 2. Catholic Center King’s Building
• 3. Catholic Cathedral Caine Road
• 4. St. Margaret’s Church Happy Valley
• 5. St. Teresa’s Church Prince Edward Road
• 6. Rosary Church Kowloon

TOURS

• 1. Hong Kong Tours 110 Peninsula Hotel
• 2. Charles Cooper Agency Phone 33438

CLUBS

• 1. China Fleet Club Gloucester Road (Lockers, Billiards, Dancing, Gift Shop)
• 2. Victoria Club Victoria Barracks
• 3. Sailors and Soldiers Home 22 Hennessey Road
• 4. St. Nicholas Club King’s Building
• 5. Sailors Home & Missions to Seaman 40 Gloucester Road
• 6. Nine Dragons Club Nathan Road, Kowloon

RESTAURANTS

• Hong Kong:
  • 1. Parisian 10 Queens Road
  • 2. Jimmy’s Kitchen Near Queens Theater
  • 3. Aberdeens Fishing Village, W. End of Island
  • 4. The Gold Fish 16 Pennington Road
  • 5. Peking Duck Hennessey Hotel
  • 6. Windsor House Des Voeux Road Central
  • 7. Dairy Farms Several locations in Hong Kong
• Kowloon:
  • 1. "Jingles" 70 Nathan Road
  • 2. Kowloon Restaurant 200 Nathan Road
  • 3. Peninsuala Restaurant Salisbury Road
  • 4. Russina Restaurant 3 Hankaw Road
  • 5. Sham Rock Hotel 204 Nathan Road
  • 6. Dairy Farms Several locations in Kowloon

DANCING

• Hong Kong:
  • 1. Sky Room
  • 2. Hong Kong Hotel
  • 3. Paramount Ballroom*
  • 4. Hennessey Ballroom*
  • 5. Lido Dance Hall*
  • * Dancing girls furnished per hourly rate.

MERCHANTS AND VENDERS The following merchants and venders have been reliable in the past. They are listed for information only and no recommendations are made.

• TAILORS:
  • Lee Chong Tai and Sung Lee 49 Johnston Road
  • Willie & Charles McGee 104 Johnston Road, Ph. 22779
  • James S. Lee 227 Gloucester Road, Ph. 25834
  • James Woo Ltd. 24 Jafee Road, Ph. 38326
  • King Brothers
  • A.H. Jim and Co. Room 607, Lockhart Hotel
  • Johnny Ford 67 Gloucester Road
  • K. Tom
  • Ken Kee Naval Tailor
  • A.H. King
  • Hai Lee
  • Chang Wing Tai 3 Granville Road, Kowloon, Ph. 33517
  • Ah Kong 7 D’Aguilar Street
  • William Young 5 Staunton Street
  • C.C. Luing
  • Harilola’s Emporium 1&2 Middle Rd., Kowloon, Ph. 50679
  • Mohans 14 B Hankow Rd., Kowloon
• LINENS:
  • James B. Tan 208 Gloucester Road, Ph. 27923
  • Peter C.H. Hon
  • Lefty Chow 21 Valley Road, Kowloon
  • Sun Sheng & Co.
  • Frazer Young 24 Wyndham Street, Ph. 282823
• SILKS AND BROCADES:
  • Ying Tai Co. 27 Chung King Arcade, Kowloon
  • Shanghai Mary Wong 4 Parkes Street, Kowloon
  • Mandarin Textiles 54 Granville Road, Kowloon
• JEWELRY AND CURIOS:
  • T.Y. Lee 228 Gloucester Road, Ph. 27923
  • Y.T. Kan 25 Saigon Street, Kowloon
  • Po Hing 40 Johnston Road
  • T.L. Ma
  • C.F. Chang
  • George Pan 21 Valley Road, Kowloon
  • Foo Chow Lacquer Co. 29 Nathan Road, Kowloon
  • Yan Kee 145 Nennessey
  • S.K. King
• FURNITURE:
  • Van Dykes Folts 27 Austin Road, Kowloon
  • J.L. George and Co. 29-31 Saigon St., Kowloon
  • George Zee and Co. 500A Castle Peak Road, Kowloon
  • Peking Trading Co. 9 Wyndham Street, Ph. 37422
• COBBLERS:
  • K. Jamson 30 Hennessey Road
  • Jor Kee 11 Luard Road
  • W.S. Young 31 Kennedy Road
  • San Nee Kee 139 Queen’s Road East
  • No Squeek Young
• LAUNDRY & CLEANING:
  • C.F. Jong & A.D. Chang 16 Fleming Road
  • Dhobie Jim 49 Johnston Road
  • Jimmie 227 Gloucester Road
• LUGGAGE:
  • George Young 117 Can Ton Road, Kowloon
  • Fiung Folts 11 Lock Road, Kowloon
• RUGS:
  • Peking Art Rug Store Nathan Road, Kowloon
  • Phillip Chu Middle Road, Kowloon
• ARTISTS:
  • Frank Ling 163 Lockhart Road
  • T.M. Shao 77 Reclamation Street, Kowloon
• MISCELLANEOUS:
  • Cameras G.A. Apear
  • Shirts Frazier Lee
  • Photographer Mark Ma
  • Perfumes Samuel Shu
  • Engraving A.H. Kong
  • Newspapers Mary Sing Koun, Chen Chung Troupe (David M. Chang)

OUT OF BOUNDS AREAS Certain areas in Hong Kong are "out of bounds". A man from the USS BOYD was found dead in an "out of bounds" hotel room a few months ago. Other men have been victims of pickpockets, poisoning, and beatings in those areas.

The "out of bounds" areas are:

• a. Corner of Hennessey Road and Queens Road to Wanchai Road, thence to Queens Road East and Kennedy Road, thence to Victoria Barracks, thence to Corner of Hennessey Road and Queens Road.
• b. Corner of Johnston Road – Wachai Road to Tin Lane. Then Via Wanchai Road to Johnston Road.
• c. The squatters shacks and the area bounded by Blue Pool Road, Sing Wood Road and Tsun Yun Street to Happy Valley.

For safety do not go ashore alone. Always go in pairs or in larger groups. Do not ride in rickshaws after dark and do not ride in sampans alone when "under the weather."

DISEASES Venereal Diseases are very prevalent. The venereal disease rate is extremely high among prostitutes and street walkers. Gonorrhea and Chancroid are the frequent venereal disease encountered, but cases of Syphilis, Lymphogrnumloma, Venereum and Granuloma Inguinele are not uncommon. Personnel should be fully informed of the danger of venereal disease prior to going on liberty. Abstinence is stressed. All accepted measures of prophylaxis are available to liberty parties. Further facilities are on board ship at the pro head for returning liberty parties. Tuberculosis is very prevalent in the civilian population. Because of crowded conditions and lack of adequate medical facilities for these cases, the mortality rate is very high. Amoebic and Bacillary dysentery are common.

ETIQUETTE AND CONDUCT ASHORE

a. Hong Kong is a British Crown Colony and is governed by British laws and customs. It is an important Royal British Navy base, and further serves as a base for British ground and air forces. U.S. warships and personnel are permitted to enter and stay in Hong Kong by invitation and consent of the British officials. The U.S. Forces are thus bound to respect the British authorities, and show due deference to local laws, customs, ceremonies and regulations. In all dealings with local inhabitants, moderation and courtesy should be displayed.

b. The visiting units of the U.S. Navy have been received by the British and Chinese people in a most cordial and courteous manner. Officials, both military and civil, have done a number of things for our welfare and have cooperated with us in every possible way.

c. The fact that the Chinese people have customs, traditions and living conditions different from our own is not a reason why we should disagree with them or look down on them in any way whatsoever. The hardships suffered by many of these people are beyond our own experiences. The friendship that exists between them and ourselves is a pleasant association, the continuance of which is most desirable. It is up to us as visitors in their land to demonstrate a friendly understanding and will for mutual cooperation. A list of venders and merchants permitted on board will be posted at the quarter deck after arrival.

CANCELLATION Having served its purpose, this memorandum will be cancelled on departure from Hong Kong. E.E. BALL LT, USNR http://www.koreanwar-educator.org/topics/branch_accounts/navy/uss_kimbe…