Finch (DER 328) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 12 text:

out some new clothing, stereo equipment, cam- era, or other item. As good as our stay was, we had a job to do other places, and we began to get a little restless by the start of September. So on the 2nd we got underway, stood out of Lai Mun Pass, and steamed for three days to Sasebo, japan. While in Hong Kong we had got under- way twice for storm evasion, but this was the first steaming we had done for almost four weeks. It wasn't at all bad to move again. Those off duty in Hong Kong had enjoyed early liberty and plenty of R 8: R. Sasebo, how- ever, was a working port. In Sasebo FINCH moored alongside the tender, USS KLONDIKE QAR-22D for eight days to accomplish various jobs for maintaining readiness. There was time, however, to have a good ship's party. Evenings, the crew also enjoyed the various night spots of Sasebo. For others, there was a day tour of the surround- ing area which proved very beautiful. With the 14th of September came the end of our Sasebo sojourn, and we departed for Market Time Operations off the coast of South Viet Nam. 1, It . 5 ' 3 ' . L ,gf xl 1, ff' M s. F' 6 '-, .fl 5 -:WT is if ci , vu-,h Wig! ,wg ,uk ,ig X 0. -:'f.K'. QQ' .. if mai .T of fa xaffigk i , 1f'l3it f Vu- Warne K' .X X 'f . .fig T ff .g 'ww A '- ' t . :aff .-PW. :.f,.,.: .X fl 1:2-gg, 4 0 A- X, ' syn 5 4- 'f X 7, 'Q 'fkwir I.. , Lie! . Q.. ' Bling :A -.:,v,v. 66 -' T T f 1 i f.-A4.Zf4' f 1 . , 1. , V IN. M V, -V,,.,5, Z ,. V , e I --C.-Liam KM' -' 'Q f ' ' . Market Time Operations, which we per- formed until October 10th, is one of FINCH's principle jobs. Basically, we inspect coastal shipping to prevent the transportation of contra- band items which the Viet Cong might want. Our work went quite smoothly. Market Time duty was graced with an Unrep fUnderway Replenishmentj for fuel or stores every few days. The weather was beautiful up until the last week, when we began to catch the North-East Monsoon. One of the last nights, we experienced unusually heavy swells while escorting a dam- aged ship. Up to that time, this was the worst weather we had encountered. In a week's time, however, more was in store. Wfhen we left the Viet Nam area, we pro- ceeded to a new port for U. S. ships, Hualien, Taiwan. Situated on the east coast of the island, about 2 X 3 of the way north, Hualien is a pleas- ant, medium sized city. It sits on a four mile wide coastal plain backed by sharply rising mountains. Our half week visit' proved very enjoyable. On Saturday and Sunday FINCH held open ship for over 2500 Chinese.

Page 11 text:

There were advantages and disadvantages to our job. Among the latter was being anchored a 20 minute water taxi ride from Fenwick Pier. We were lucky, however, that we had the SOPA ADMIN boat to ferry us. Our visit was during the water shortage so we had to make our own. Thanks to efficient evaporator opera- tion we had more water than many Hong Kong residents, although we still used it with dis- cretion. Another advantage was preferential treatment by many establishments because we would be present to provide business longer than other ships. Regular Shore Patrol per- sonnel worked hard, but got to relax in their rooms at the Hilton with free running showers. In spite of the attractions of Wanchai, the Hilton was a center for many of the PINCH. On clear days, some took the tramway and ....- .-.......,,,.........+.1gQ.4,...-a .1....,...4.... . cg. sw.. ,M --1 As for our patrol duty, it was fairly easy. The Straits were unusually calm, the weather clear enough to catch a glimpse of China. Operations personnel kept busy in their work but were not overburdened. Engineers were free of any major troubles. The Wardroom was engaged in host- ing our Chinese liaison officer, LCDR Wu. All in all, we had smooth sailing the whole way. Still, Kaohsiung had been a little hot-you know how that sun and water-reflected' heat warms up gray metal-so we left for Hong Kong August 10th. From the 11th until September 2nd, FINCH was SOPA ADMIN Hong Kong. It was a big job, but everyone enjoyed it. We coordinated all details for visits of other ships to Hong Kong, ran Shore Patrol, controlled communica- tions, and acted as a host ship. Operations personnel were probably the busiest of the lot and deserve much credit for the fine job done by the FINCH while she was Station Ship. walk to Victoria Peak, right above the Hilton.. San Francisco, you're beautiful, but for hills you'll never compare with the near vertical sides of Hong Kong's Victoria. The comforts of Wanchai and the Hilton, the beauty of the bay and Peak are all important. Most of all, Hong Kong is known for its shopping. Tailors pull you in off the street. Even when they over- charge you unmercifully, clothes seem to be a steal. Hong Kong is loaded with international wares of all descriptions, and there is probably no other place in the world with such prices. Hardly a PINCH sailor failed to return with- . , .. ,gk .., ..a..-..:...a..-..,...-L. .-.-.. .v-K-up a..,- V ., v Nm--Mr --

Page 13 text:

Vixitors enjoy refrefbrnentf in the mem decks Mernberf of the crew enjoy n ren! Chinese dinner Minn , V, W' uw- ' ,MJ American Indinnf? Enjoying the Scenery 1 in 'F ' .J ',,g...m ffwgpfvvvvxy, ,,!fWwW632Z I we-f2H 'PZ:'.'fL j - ' V ' .F ' f ' H I ' 'XV' Z ., f f fea wzf' ' A 1' 'X' .' iii -'df Y l rrff':7'r-rt 13 2' , . eff 4 9 ' 'M - ,, -' , ,4yy15ff'Zfiff',,,,-f-'ff' 1-3,,,rf ., W: ' ::',,f'4 f'f ' 4 . ffm.-e ::J ,1. ,1:,n, kv- - ' 4 r W 1 ,. A 'f f ,Q .1 ' -ff Y-ff' v '1' ' ' 7'?,, M.,,22fZ,92?Z' . M .JI fi yffcfvzjfffy f' -'-jg nge am' -. .f ,qw W e-L. if - 4,5 -' 1-ff 'f1f+fh 2,z:a3:r+wf-4' ' + Q pn,-wx. 2 -M - 7 W - -A -9 3 . . -2 ., 1 1-f ,.,,.M 'f'-Z- 5 -1-,efvi 4- if-ffliefefi , .'r,i,.Z.i'.f.:.....yg In s 'Z,rr ?' , , , ,- x .V ,,. . L V, W W 4. ,,- - V ,Lv,,,:, J Y ,A ffi'1W-fgvwf-uw e.,.. ,:-'oy -We .ga -M'r:e:f wfM.Wwm , ' i e r ' ' 'k 'WZ Mom From the entrance channel to Hznzlien Clnro'J wooef breaking over the fezntezi! Hannah , .,,,, i-n,,,-,l ' , 3g,5,,e,,,,ml,,, J. 0- ,,l5....f,15, - 14,4 , 1 -3 Qu. L, , . .Q - , 'Y -A Q , E , e ,, QL . Q., , 4sN-:.,L..,.......,...,.-...L,w.,a.L,-x..,, ,,... N,...4,.2 --,.....,..,...,z, ,.,,fv-...x...-.,...,,... ...x.,-,.-. A-