Word: amethyste
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...stranger on the docks of Hong Kong might have wondered what all the fuss was about. It was only the little British frigate Amethyst, 1,470 tons, and looking a bit shabby at that. But as she hove into view that August day of 1949, the din of sirens, fireworks and lusty British cheers was a considered tribute. In spite of the heavy rain, a squadron of Spitfires repeatedly swooped low in salute. Only as the Amethyst neared her Royal Navy berth did it become plain that she was a shelled cripple. No sooner was she tied up than...
...sailorman's drink was ever more fairly earned. On April 20 the Amethyst had been steaming up the Yangtse River on a routine mission to Nanking. On the left bank lay the retreating Nationalist army; on the right the Communists were poised for an assault crossing. Suddenly, about 125 miles upriver, some 75 miles from Nanking, the Communists opened up with artillery, fired twelve rounds and scored twelve misses. Fifty minutes later, ignoring Union Jacks unfurled over the side, another and more accurate shore battery scored 53 hits on the Amethyst. Dead and wounded lay scattered about her deck...
...most respected cat in all Britain was a small, black, white-bibbed torn named Simon. As ship's cat on board the sloop H.M.S. Amethyst on her heroic voyage down China's Yangtze River last spring (TIME, May 2), Simon got his white whiskers singed by a Communist shell, his face and legs scratched by shrapnel. But throughout the Amethyst's cruise, Simon carried on in his billet, caught at least one mouse every...
...When the Amethyst got back to England, Simon was interned for the regulation six months' quarantine required of animals entering the country, but his grateful nation had not forgotten him. Reporters from far & wide came to see and photograph the solemn hero, and he was promised the Dickin Medal* for heroic animals, to be awarded by London's Lord Mayor on his release...
...King was delighted. He called the Amethyst's escape a "daring exploit," personally ordered the frigate's crew to "splice the mainbrace"-break out an extra order of grog for all hands. In Shanghai, the Communist press ignored the Amethyst's escape completely. Shanghai British celebrated discreetly. "We're glad they're out of it," said one, "but there's no point in crowing over it. After all, we're still here...