Manatee (AO 58) - Naval Cruise Book

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UPKEEP IN SUBIC During mid - October MANATEE spent two weeks in-port Subic for mid-cruise repairs. The continual steaming had taken its toll and long hours were required to bring the ship back into top condition. This proved essential as MANATEE was required to be underway constantly from November until February meeting her own com- mitments and filling in for ships experiencing difficulties. After a line trip in November MANATEE headed for Hong Kong for eight days of R R. The quarterdeck inpoit The fifth line trip in late November was hindered by the developing Northeast monsoon which brought rain, gale winds and heavy seas to the coast of Viet- nam from Saigon to the Tonkin Gulf. The months of service paid off in the expert handling of each unrep by the now highly trained crew in all weather. Some accidents occurred, but no serious damage or injury was sustained. Working in the pump roon Two major engineering casualties to fellow oilers resulted in the postponement of a scheduled stop in Singapore and required an additional line trip. 37

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Ihe CAPT cite FN DEVOUNO and MMCS ROSS for their outstanding effort. ENGINEERS CITED During the cruise, the constant steaming resulted in an expected number of mechanical breakdowns, but only one major casualty threatened the successful completion of all commitments. A shaft in the main engine pump broke, halving MAN- ATEE ' S power capabilities. No spare was available on board, and no ship carried such a spare. It appeared the ship would have to return to Subic, throwing the burden of line commitments on another ship, since replacement is generally a shipyard job. But Senior Chief Machinist Mate Jim ROSS and Fireman Thomas DEVUONO worked for three days using the ship ' s limited shop capability to repair the shaft. CAPT FAAS congratulates FN DEVOUNO In a letter of appreciation to both men. Captain FAAS cited: Although many competent and willing hands were involved in the various facets of repairing the feed pump, your work was the most crucial, exacting, and tedious. With the limited facilities and materials available at sea, you improved where necessary . . . your work made possible our New Year ' s trip to Singapore. So on behalf of the entire crew . . . ' Thank you ' for your dedicated and professional services.

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HONG KONG MANATEE was temporarily relieved from her underway replenishment commitments along the coast of Vietnam and entered the British Crown Colony on November 13. Being a duty free port, Hong Kong ' s reputation has been spread throughout the Navy as a shoppers ' utopia. With this in mind, MANATEE men had been economizing for some time in preparation. It was not long after liberty call the first afternoon that the famous shopping districts of that bay side city were stormed by eager sailors. Liberty call was held early each day to allow maximum rest and relaxation to MANATEE ' S hardworking crew. At about ten every morning the crew began to disperse for a multitude of destinations and activities. The pastimes varied from spending a morning in a custom tailor shop being treated to millionaire service and merchandise at service- man ' s prices, to tours of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, or the New Territories by pretty Chinese girls, visiting foreign exchange display rooms, or sampling gourmet lunches in large international hotels. 38