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BERNARD B. STONE : 1945 - 1946 ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT DIARY AND LOG OF A SOLDIER ON THE USS PROVIDENCE, PATROLLING THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE END OF THE BLOODIEST WAR IN HUMAN HISTORY

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is a “Diary of Trip to Europe,” by an enlisted soldier of the USS Providence (CL-82) almost immediately after the end of World War 2. The name on the back of the book is Bernard B. Stone. His address is listed as Bellflower, California and “Long Beach Army Air Base” is written under his name. This fascinating document, traces the entirety of activities and duties, everyday, of the officer from November 7th, 1945 to June 25, 1946. The ship departed Boston, and travels first to Piraeus, Greece, in December. Throughout the trip, the ship anchors at numerous cities and countries along the mediterranean, including Marseille, Naples, Istanbul, Athens and Alexandria. In Alexandria, the ship runs aground “outside harbor in channel.” He mentions that the “#3-4 shafts bent, fresh water leaking [and] oil leaks.” After exercises and port visits in the Mediterranean, the ship departed back for America on the 16th of June, arriving back at Philadelphia on the 25th. Each day is described as a series of duties done by Stone along with the hour that the duty was completed. See samples below for the general feel of the entries. This is a very interesting document of history that shows exactly what a private in the Unites States Navy would do every day, very shortly after the Second World War had ended. The level of detail is consistent throughout and very interesting to those who enjoy the true details of ship duty. Few personal details or observances are noted, so the diary keeps to a fairly straightforward account of the duties of the soldier and the times at which these duties were completed. However, free time is occasionally written, such as the many times he went to the cinema or to visited landmarks in the Mediterranean, such as Pompeii. he also mentions the names of the Chief Watertender, a man named Williams, and another man who he refers to as “C.A.M. Hobbs.” He also mentions meeting the Crown Prince and Princess of Greece while in Alexandria. The book is approximately 180 pages in length, of which there is writing in all but the last 40 or so pages. The cover is green with the words ‘Memoranda’ printed on front and ‘50172. Manufactured by U.S. Government Printing Office’ on the back cover. It is in good condition, with some wear on the spine and edges. A few pages have some slight discoloration and fading but nothing that affects legibility. Stone writes in pencil in an easily readable hand. The book is bound at the top and opens upwards. Pages are read top to bottom instead of left to right. Sample entries: “11-12-45: 1100 Changed time ahead 1 hr. 2 zone. 1400. Took shots for cowpox-Typhus. 1900. Went to movie saw W. Berry in “This Man’s Navy. Probably will go to ___ to-night. Rather calm today. 1540. Fire drill. 1830. Took over Homm mounts 47-48. Another headache.”; “Tues 11-27-45. 0810 - Quarters for muster. 0830 - 0930 Close order drill on Dock. 1000. Saw honors to British admiral. 1100 Honors to American General. 1500 - Honors to British commandos. 1600 Honors to Vice Adm James U.S.N. 1630 - Quarters forgetting underway. 1650 Underway for Naples, Italy. Expect a 65 mile gale. From Marseille, France to Naples, Italy 450 miles. 2040. Went to cinema “where do we go from here” Fred McMurray. Joan Leslie.”; Thurs. 4 Apr 46. 0800 Muster on station. 1000 Shore bombardment. FIELD DAY. 1430 Fire Drill. 1500 School. 1700 Pick up 3 Turk Destroyers. Going thru Dardanelles. 1900 Darken ship passing thru Dardanelles. “Fri. 19 Apr. 46. 0800 - Muster on station Field Play. 1330. Lower Deck Inspection. 1545. Secure. 17:15 Loaded one plan from U.S.S. Missouri. 16:30. Liberty.” (Background: The ‘USS Providence’ was a Cleveland-class light cruiser and was commissioned between 1945 and 1949. Providence was decommissioned on 31 August 1973. She was stricken on 30 September 1978 and sold to National Steel Corp.,Terminal Island, CA Sale # 160018 on 15 July 1980, removed from custody 31 July 1980 and scrapped.). Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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