Manatee (AO 58) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 32 text:

LTJG GABRIEL receiving the traditional shake after scoring. SOFTBALL Sparked by cooler weather in Subic Bay during Novem- ber and December, MANATEES softball team came alive, in spirit if not in victories. MANATEE ' S schedule made it difficult to arrange games in advance. However, team coach and manager Radarman First FINKBEINER, put together a total of thirteen contests, pitting the MANATEE Nine against tough customers like the various Subic Bay shore duty clubs. As it was a rebuilding year, th e team concentrated on giving the rookies experience, which accounted in part for the 2-1 1 record of our stick-ball crew. Lengthy periods at sea resulting in little practice time, didn ' t help our record, but some of the Vets from previous years made several of the losses extremely close. With a few more breaks, said team sparkplug and premier centerfielder George The Ensign GABRIEL, This bunch of rookies could have been real contenders. Long ball specialist Gunner ' s Mate Second Andy HORTON, who surprisingly played shortstop, was a good reason for optimism. SN ROMERO takes a cut MANATEES team stonds ready. 28

Page 31 text:

Fun ride, isn ' t it POGENESSE? MANATEE HELPS A HOSPITAL During the 1968-69 cruise, the MANATEE ' S crew helped paint and rebuild a small hospital for crip- pled children in the city. As a Christmas gesture, the crew sent over $200 to buy supplies. Those who had worked during the last cruise found is very rewarding and many offered to help again, sacri- ficing part of their liberty. Signalman First Joe HESSEN and Chaplain HEDWIG organized twenty men to build a sun porch and to work on the garden and grounds. The children and the crew managed to communicate despite the language barrier. After leaving Kaohsiung, the MANATEE received an embroidered pennant with the inscrip- tion, Thank You MANATEE, Friend of the Sick. Kaohsiung was the scene of the first real chal- lenge to MANATEE ' S softball squad. The team had played a few warmup games in Subic and efforts by coach Ernie FINKBEINER arranged a contest with a local team. Despite heroic efforts of SHL3 LOPEZ and others, MANATEE lost to the home team. It was a game enjoyed by all and added to the MANATEE ' S goodwill efforts toward our Southeast Asian allies. SN OCONNER makes a friend.

Page 33 text:

Night inrep of USS CARRONADE. AN THOI INREP After three days of liberty, the crew was relieved to get underway again, to rest and replenish depleted funds. Avoiding another typhoon, MANATEE returned to Subic to load for her fourth line trip. For this trip, MANATEE went into the Gulf of Siam to inrep the ships in the small harbor of An Thoi on the Cambodian bor- der. This harbor is one of the main support areas for the river and coastal forces operating off Vietnam. The area was secured only two years ago and the heavy infiltration near the Cambodian border requires the maintenance of a large patrol group. Every two weeks, an oiler makes the trip to An Thoi. A nest of swift boats alongside the mother ship USS KRISHNA. 29