Manatee (AO 58) - Naval Cruise Book

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DAILY ROUTINE Chaplain SNYDER riding the ship for a line trip, leads the Sunday service. The bridge wolch on a roullne day (I R) SN AHSOAK. BM3 ROSS, SN DAVIS. 40

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During the evening hours MANATEE crewmem- bers again had a variety of activities from which to choose. Among these were night tours of Hong Kong, movies, floor shows at the hotels, dining at the glamorous Hong Kong Hilton or at world famous Jimmie ' s Kitchen, and of course, more shopping. Of all the activities offered, shopping was prob- ably the most popular. Some of the better buys included stereo equipment, custom made clothing, jewelry, brass and sweaters. Tours also rated high on the activity list. Members of the crew who had visited Hong Kong previously did not favor tours, being attracted instead to indivdiual sightseeing. For the novice at foreign travel, how- ever, tours offered a broad panorama of Hong Kong from the tram ride to the top of Victoria Peak affording a spectacular view of the famous harbor, to the sight into Red China across the border of glimmering rice fields of the New Territory. In retrospect, every crewmember came away with different memories, gifts, tales and experiences. But one thought was uppermost in everyone ' s mind, and readily agreed upon by all: MANATEE would like to return to Hong Kong again. 39

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A ship is a floating community even if it only has 275 citizens, and all the services necessary for a community must be available. MANATEE is no exception. A galley provides three meals a day, and during long unreps, snacks and special rations. It requires careful plan- ning by the Commissarymen to anticipate the needs of an entire crew. The cooks ' day begins at 0530 and ends late at night. No matter what the tempo of operations, the cooks had the meals ready. A ship ' s barbershop, laundry, and store provide daily services just as their counterparts at home. Getting out the dc CALANTONI busy. nail keeps (L-R) SN BLOCKER, 5N KLEEH and PC2 After serving the evening meal the Stewards relax over cards. (L-R) TN QUITILEr TN CAPISTRANO, SD2 ORDAS and TN VARGAS. Underway, the ship settles into a routine of watch, work and sleep. Twenty-four hours a day people have to be oper- ating the ship and a system of alternating watches insures that personnel can sleep, work, and still maintain an alert watch. Maintenance is a continuing job. Whenever there is a break from replenishment operations, the chipping, painting, cleaning, greasing and repairing goes on. MANATEE is a twenty-five year old ship and her constant service requires repair and close checks on all mechanical gear. Buying cigarettes at the ship ' s store, the best place for general items. 41