Bremerton (CA 130) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 91 text:

With our stay extended, the ship's bowling team met many of the local clubs. ln one of the matches held at the American Club, our team was defeated by a Singapore team comprised of American women. ln a tournament held at HMS TERROR, BREMERTON teams met with better than average success against teams consisting of the Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal Malayan Navy and Royal Australian Navy. ln basketball we were victorious, while the volleyball team dropped two contests. Swimming activities saw BREMERTON take its share of honors. Boxing matches proved to be outstanding, as men paired off and gave the crew quite a show. Boxing on the BREMERTON was highlighted with one of our crew members, W. J. Wessels, representing the ship and Cruiser Division ONE in the SEVENTH Fleet Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament. Although Wessels dropped from the fights because of iniuries sustained during one of the matches, he reached the semi-finals. Skeet shooting on Sunday afternoons gave the crew a chance to show their skills with a shotgun. Everyone from a seaman apprentice to the Admiral took a pot shot at the little clay pidgeon.

Page 90 text:

During our months in the States, basketball proved to be the ship's main sport. Shortly before leaving the States, the BREMERTON quintet entered the Long Beach Forces Afloat Double Elimination Tournament. Gaining the finals, the Ambassadors were edged by the SAINT PAUL. Due to our short stay in Auckland, BREMERTON teams participated in only limited sporting events. The baseball team played a few games with HMNZS PHILOMEL, while the basketball squad met the Hobsonville Air Force Base and New Zealand Navy. ln Singapore there were few games with local clubs so the sports program turned toward intramural events. CR Division captured the softball tourney defeating Supply and in Tennis ENS Belville and ENS Howe took honors in the doubles, while H. E. Bartlett, RD2, defeated LTJG J. H. Irons for the singles championship. Singapore offered much in the way of golf. Many of the crew played golf steadily with LTJG M. M. Miller taking top honors in a tournament organized there.

Page 92 text:

BREMERTON's sports gear locker, under the supervision of the Marines, is well stocked. The Recreation Fund is continually adding more and better gear to its stock to keep abreast of the demand for the equipment. BREMERTON's sporting program is large and active: and our teams play with honor and vigor, whether it be against teams from amongst ourselves, other ships, or teams of other nationalities. But win, lose, or draw, it is the spirit which prevails that is most im- portant to us. lt is that spirit which turns every game into a victory.