Throughout the operation there was plenty of hard work. Cargo crews unloaded their ships, working in some cases, six on and six off. Men bundled in bulky foul weather gear worked night and day in a fight against time. Despite this round-the-clock schedule, there was some recreation for the personnel of Task Force Nine.

  At least five softball games were played between the various units after leaving Seattle where a tournament was held to determine the Navy representative to play the Eskimos.

  Personnel aboard the Estes were given liberty when the flagship arrived at Kodiak. A tour there, organized by Chaplain Bielski, gave crewmen a chance to visit the Russian Orthodox Church in that community. And each Saturday aboard the Estes officers and men gathered in the crew's mess hall to hear the shipboard jazz band, the Rumblers. A second musical group called the Ramblers played hillbilly music before an enthusiastic crowd.

  The USS Belle Grove staged the "Blue Nose Follies" on Monday, August 10th for the crew. Sub-titled: "Uncle Tom's Igloo" the show featured shipboard talent, well rehearsed and well received.

  Beard-growing became a full-time hobby for some. Others, throughout the Task Force tried their hand at painting (from special kits) while those not addicted to the arts took up the tools used in leather crafts. A number of sailors carved ship models in the hobby shop. Original designs from faded drift-wood were created by some.

  Movies, too, played an important part in the recreation program, particularly aboard the smaller ships. Before the Task Force left San Diego, commanding officers were urged to schedule as many showing as necessary to accommodate the crews at the movies.

  A recreation party in connection with the game at Point Barrow was held at a gymnasium there. Two cans of beer per man were issued to those attending.

  Camera fans had a photographer's holiday from Point Loma to Point Barrow. In Alaska, these shutter-fans were up at all hours to capture on film the sights common only to the Arctic.

  And while not a part of the recreation program, crewmen found comfort and diversion in attending the church services conducted by both chaplains and laymen on board the ships. Protestant, Catholic and Jewish services were scheduled whenever possible. The USS Electra organized a church choir which was given a "well done" by the skipper aboard that ship after their first presentation.

  A slogan adopted early in the cruise was: "We will deliver the freight." On Sunday, August 9th, the job was done; the goods had been delivered, faster and more smoothly than the most optimistic hopes would allow.

  As the ships prepared to return to the States there was a feeling of satisfaction in a job "well done."