Manatee (AO 58) - Naval Cruise Book

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4» Final WESTPAC Deployment 13 May 1972 - 26 March 1973

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USS MANATEE (AO-58) WESTPAC CRUISE ' 72-73

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FROM THE CAPTAIN ' S CABIN This Cruise Book commemorates what will undoubtedly be the last cruise of USS MANATEE to the Western Pacific. It is expected that the ship will be decommissioned in the near future. She has served the Navy for over 29 years and the cruise depicted on these pages represents her final deployment to WESTPAC. She has served in three conflicts with distinction. Most ports in the Far East have seen her at one time or another. This cruise has been the busiest of all. During the ten month deployment the ship made 13 separate trips to Vietnam waters to replenish ships of the Seventh Fleet. Over 200 ships were provid- ed fuel, provisions and ammunition during these periods. Upon arrival to WESTPAC the MANATEE joined what was to be the largest Seventh Fleet in history. The end of the deployment saw a cease fire in Vietnam with an attendant reduction in Fleet size. In spite of the busy trips to Vietnam, time was found to visit Sasebo, Japan, Kaoshung, Taiwan, and Cebu City, Philippines. These visits are also depicted herein. A ship does not perform as MANATEE has done without the dedicated efforts of her crew. The ship has been particularly blessed with outstanding efforts of men who invariably performed well. Their efforts kept the ship operational in spite of numerous material casualties. The ship, as a result, returned to her home port in better condition than when she departed. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy when one considers the high tempo of operations when deployed. It is hoped that this Cruise Book represents completely what was to be MANATEE ' s last deployment. Many of the crew members have contributed to its puplication. Their efforts are ap- preciated.