This is the story of my life so far: 67 years and counting.
Prequel: A Brief History of my Family in France
The story starts here
Previous episode: Part 40
Returning to France
After several years in French Polynesia, where the capacity for ship maintenance is limited, it was time for the BDC Trieux to
return to France for a long maintenance period.
So, in May 1972, we said goodbye to Papeete and started a two month journey to France.
We stopped for a day in one of the Marquesas Islands ("Îles Marquises" in French), Nuku Hiva or Hiva Oa, I don't remember which one. Then we set course for the west coast of Mexico.
Clipperton Island
On the way to Mexico, we stopped for two hours near the only French possession in the North Pacific: Clipperton Island, an inhabited island off the coast of Central America.
Clipperton Island
source
To learn why this seemingly unimportant island ended up to be French, you will have to read the Wikipedia entry. It is a fascinating story, but I had no idea at the time because there was no Internet.
Although there is a 6 km2 coral reef, as there is also a small volcanic outcrop rising to 29 m, technically Clipperton is not just an atoll, but an island with a barrier reef.
Salina Cruz, Again
After more than two weeks at sea, we arrived off the coast of Mexico. Our first post of call was Salina Cruz, where I had already been 14 months before.
As the speed of the ship was very much dependent on the sea state and the wind, the length of our trip had been set so that even with several days of rough sea and high winds, we would arrive on time in Salina Cruz.
As it happened, we had rather calm sea wind and we were able to be near the coast of Mexico two days early. So, we needed to wait for two days before arriving in Salina Cruz. The crew was not really happy about that.
Salina Cruz Bay and Harbor
source
We stayed in Salina Cruz for 3 or 4 days. I have no special memories about this stay.
Colón, Panama
Five days after leaving Salina Cruz, we went through the Panama Canal. This was the second time for me to go through the canal.
But this time, we did not stay in Panama City, on the Pacific side, but in Colón on the Atlantic side, where we stayed for several days.
Colón, Panama
source
In our opinion, Colón was a much less interesting city than Panama City. So, one day, with several other officers of the ship, we took the train and went to visit Panama City.
Newport News, Virginia
From Colón we set course for Newport News, in Virginia.
You might think that this was not a very glamorous port of call that had been chosen for us.
The reason we went to Newport News was that we were taking delivery of some heavy equipment, armament or ammunitions ( I don't remember what it was).
Before arriving in Newport News, we went through the beginning of the Chesapeake Bay, and passed in front of Norfolk, Virginia.
Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth and Norfolk viewed from space
source
With the other officers, we visited Virginia, and went as far as Virginia Beach.
Brest, Brittany
After leaving Newport News, we crossed the Atlantic Ocean and arrived in the major French Navy port on the Atlantic facade, Brest at the end of June 1972.
View of Brest Harbor, by Pierre Péron
source
This was the end of my first post, on the BDC Trieux.
At the beginning of July 1972, I went on vacation for two months, not knowing yet where my next post would be.
Continue to Part 42
If you like this story, please consider following me @vcelier
Summary
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7
Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10 Part 11 - Part 12 - Part 13 - Part 14
Part 15 - Part 16 - Part 17 - Part 18 - Part 19 - Part 20 - Part 21
Part 22 - Part 23 - Part 24 - Part 25 - Part 26 - Part 27 - Part 28
Part 29 - Part 30 - Part 31 - Part 32 - Part 33 - Part 34 - Part 35
Part 36 - Part 37 - Part 38 - Part 39 - Part 40