Port Canaveral (2)

During the summer of 1964 Michelson called at three Florida ports, including four or five visits to Port Canaveral. Our frequent appearances there were for logistical reasons, in support of the extensive sea trials in the Bahamas. Spare parts arrived, new field engineers came aboard and crew changes took place.

A postcard photo picturing an old T-2 tanker at Port Canaveral.

The area along the "space coast" was booming. The hotels, bars and restaurants as well as real estate agents looked to be the main recipients of the incoming dollars.

A little beer bar, the Cape-Ette, was a short stroll from the port, near the public park at the inlet. Cocoa Beach was a cab ride away, so being sailors, we chipped in and hired a taxi together. The destination was usually the Missile Lounge. There the music was loud and launches at the Cape were celebrated in style. I liked to go there for beer and fried oysters. Other favorite spots for both the crew and navy people were the Starlite Lounge and the bar in the Ramada Inn where folk/pop singer Trish performed.

Another destination was the EM club at Patrick Air Force Base, south of Cocoa Beach. Two former members of Michelson's navy detachment were stationed at Patrick, part of a group supporting ballistic missile submarine sea trials. One of their jobs was to fly out the Lorac lane count in a helecopter! It was good to see old shipmates again, both of them getting a good shore duty station after their one year trips on the survey ship.