Hong Kong, China
Chinese flags courtesy Free Gifs & Animations

The following pictures copied from the
1960 - 1961 USS Helena CA-75 Cruise Book.
Donated by Warren R. Peverill,
USS Helena CA-75. "A" Division 1959 - 1962

Click on the book image to learn more.


1960 - 1961




Seven hours ahead of Typhoon Olga we
arrived in Hong Kong, the British Crown
Colony which borders on Communist China.
When Olga arrived we had to move to a safe
anchorage and cancel all boat runs. Many of
our crewmembers, as well as those of other ships,
were stranded ashore until the following noon
when the bay calmed down. With our liberty
cut short, we had to rush more than ever to allow
the tailors to give us sufficient fittings, to compare
prices on stereos, and to see some of the island city
which houses two million people in 32 square miles.
In our wanderings we found sampans crowded with
three generations of a family and just a few minutes
away we were awed by the splendor of the homes
at Repulse Bay. With all the bargains, Hong Kong
will remain for many of us a symbol of the work that
lies ahead in our attempt to bring a reasonable standard
of living to the millions of people who go to bed
hungry every night.

The majority of our first two days in Hong Kong was spent in trying to keep dry or moving the ship in the rain.
Once we were safely tied up for the final time, we helped Mary Soo move her cargo, and headed for the China Fleet Club.

a meal at a floating restaurant . . . .


and a visit to the fames Tiger Balm Gardens were
part of the most basic tpur.

An encounter with a local family . . . .


Thousands of people live almost on top of each other
in these sampan villages.
Here as elsewhere the people provided
a continual focal point of our interest.
But in Hong Kong what impressed us
the most was the mass of people
crowded into such a small place.

Farming methods in the New Territories
are still primitive.

As we moved away from downtown we
were treated to panoramic views of the harbor.


In our wanderings about the city we could not help but notice
the crowded housing conditions or the local fashions, and some
of us were attracted by the personalized taxi service.



Hong Kong Index

Ports of Call

CA-75

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