Finch (DER 328) - Naval Cruise Book

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bathedg many took in the rays during their nooners. Our favorite pastime was the Unrep. This was enjoyed about every three days, Here was a chance for everyone to get in line and pull together. And FINCH, it must be ad- mitted, was one of the best unrepping ships in the busi- ness. During our one mishap, a nighttime emergency breakway was executed admirably. And then we steamed in close to cover a survey ship working on Bottom studies-a field in which the crew was proficient in Subic. With these several touches to break the routine, the first half of our time in Area Five passed. Fourth of july was our most active day. First a dawn refueling, By 0800 we had gone into the eight fatham curve inside an island enclosed cove. Local langouste fisherman sailed near us and paddled their little round basket boats under the stern. Finally, they kept clear as we fired on steep slopes 1000 feet above a coastal vil- lage. Viet Cong assembly areas comprised our targets, An army aircraft spotter fed us full of shot information and praises. Any local V.C. would have had a nice close view of our fireworks display. After several hours of firing we left the cove, the fishermen returned to their tasks, and waved pleasantly. As we steamed out, we spotted two beautiful green sea turtles beneath four feet of clear blue water. The play of light on those large carefree animals was kaleidoscopic. The water, sea creatures, rocks, and beaches of this central Viet Nam coast are all magnificent. But back to work, we went to refuel two smaller patrol craft which worked in con- junction with us. In the few remaining hours we en- joyed holiday routine. A certain pride permeated the ship. What better way to celebrate one's country's in- dependence than by serving it? During the remainder of the patrol, FINCH visited Cam Ranh Bay and Nha Trang for a few hours each. Cam Ranh Bay was studded with interesting but ineffec- tive old French fortifications. The bay was a series of clear, deep coves. Nha Trang was somewhat similar, but not so pretty. Most beautiful of all were the moun- tains close on a narrow coastal plain on which at dawn and sunset sharp orange, red, green, yellow, and blue tinted clouds piled up. july 29th, our OOD's could stop playing in and out the fishing stakes when the USS HAVERFIELD QDER- 3935 finally managed to relieve us. Off it was to that favorite place in West Pac, Hong Kong. Best of all, we were to be station ship at a time when few other ships would be there-until the AMERICA arrived. Our as- signment as SOPA ADMIN made us a coordinator for all visiting R.8cR. U.S. Navy ships. We ran the movie exchange, handled all communications, arranged calls with British officials, got captains their cars and phones, and ran Shore Patrol. Our Radiomen and Boarding Of- ficers were the busiest aboard, and yet even they had plenty of free time to enjoy our two-week stay. Liberty went down at 1300 daily. And to make things better, there was no water shortage this year as there was l215f year.

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ready to begin a whirlwind Reftra. Our first day, April 22, was rather busy. Under overcast but dry skies, LCDR Grimmell relieved CDR M. A. Skubinna and became FINCH's new Captain. The 1000 fantail ceremony was attended by numerous notables, including VADM W. F. Bringle, COMSFVFNTHFLT. As soon as the refresh- ments and congratulations were at an end, FINCH cast off and began her Training Battle Problem. The TRB provided a measure of our initial training readiness. While we did well, We sought to improve ourselves through the next three weeks of intensive training. Days and nights were spent steaming in Sugami Wan and the entrance to Tokyo Bay conducting drill after drill. The emphasis of all exercises was realism. Engines blew up, smokebomb fires killedy' men. We transited simulated minefields and conducted precision anchor- ages. The whole ship worked together in exercises which combined communications drills, navigation, engineer- ing tests, and damage control practice. By the end of the three weeks all had a new proficiency and greater pride in working together. We wound up our stay in Yoko with five days of upkeep and lots of liberty, plus a great two day ship's party. May 16 brought our visit to a close as we got underway for Guam. During RAV, Guam weather had been moderately bearable. During the next three weeks on the rock, how- ever, we were treated to Mother Natures steam bath. The sweat started rolling with a combination Distant Duty and Admin inspection by our new Commodore, CDR Murphy and again CAPT Law. The three days' work showed that weld done our homework and were ready to deploy once more. While doing our final tuning up, we moored at SRF alongside the Thai ship, PRASAE. The Thails swapped food and hats. Along with their beer, they proved congenial hosts who worked and played hard. And so we passed the days until deployment. june 17th dawned remarkably clear, and FINCH stood out past Orote Point. Preparation had ended. Waiting for West Pac ceased, we were on our way. Four days of steaming ended with the animal show of the Pacific - Subic Bay. just two nights liberty there-but that was enough for most. One of the days was taken up with a gunnery practice. Again we shot as we left on june 23 for Market Time Patrol. On the morning of the 25th the USS Falgout's crew was glad to see us. The turnover of area five surveillance was accomplished in the midst of a drenching downpour. Some of the Falgout officers weren't quite sure leaving Viet-Nam was worth the soaking they got boating over to the FINCH. Needless to say, with FINCH on duty, skies soon cleared-as much as they do there. The first two weeks went smoothly, the only thing not under control was the heat. Those sitting in Combat had it made, except when the AC units dropped off the line. Still, the ship seemed pretty comfortable to the PCF crews which took every other day off resting on FINCH. And could they eat . . . Our Market Time work of boarding and inspecting junks was interspersed with the usual leisure pursuits. There was the fantail steak cookout where for once the cooks were supervised properly. The Captain gave sharp- shooting lessons on the nailing of jellyfish. All sun- . L., .. ,i . I Y Q i l l n

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