Minnetonka (WHEC 67) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDR H. G. HOLMGREN, USCG Commanding Officer MINNETONKA ' s deployment to Southeast Asia commenced on 17 December 1967 and ended on 17 October 1968. During this ten month period we travelled over 60,000 miles, and visited many interesting ports. Our Market Time Patrols v ere often monotonous, but sometimes extremely excit- ing, as when we encountered the enemy trawler. Whatever the assignment, the AAINNETONKA did the job, and did it well. Each man can feel justifi- ably proud of his individual contribution in mak- ing the MINNETONKA an outstanding ship of the line. - L -»

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U9CGC Minne+onka The United States Coast Guard Cutter MINNETONKA, named after a lake in Minnesota, is one of twelve, two-hundred fifty-five foot High Endurance Cutters in the Coast Guard. She was built in San Pedro, California, having her keel laid on December 26, 1944, and was launched on November 21, 1945, She was commissioned in the Nation ' s oldest continuous seagoing service on September 20, 1946. Since then she has been as far West as Thailand, as far South as Central America, and as far North as Alaska. The MINNETONKA is 43 feet wide, 16 feet from the main deck to the waterline, and 102 feet from the top of her forward mast to her waterline. She displaces 2,000 tons and has a draft of I6V2 feet when fully loaded. Engineers would classify her as a single screw turbo-electric driven ship, which means she has two boilers which supply steam to turn a turbine. The turbine turns a generator which supplies electricity to turn the main motor which turns the single propeller. With 4,000 shaft h orse- power, she can cruise 5,300 nautical miles at a maximum speed of 18.4 knots, and 13,600 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 1 1 knots. The MINNETONKA ' s armament consists of one 5 38 cal. mount, two 81mm mortars, eight .50 cal. machine guns, two .30 cal. machine guns, six torpedo tubes, one hedgehog mount, and various small arms. Her 164 man crew consists of 16 Commissioned Officers, 16 Chief Petty Officers, and 132 Enlisted Men. On extended patrols, one of her commissioned officers is a doctor in the U. S. Public Health Service. Her main duty is normally as an Ocean Station Vessel. She stands Ocean Station November, be- tween Hawaii and the coast of California, and Ocean Station Victor, between Midway Island and Japan. While on station, it is her job to observe and report the weather, provide a radio beacon, and to act as a navigational aid to trans-oceanic aircraft. While on station she is also readily available to aid any ship or plane in distress in the vicinity. Her other duties include search and rescue, boarding, patrolling regattas, and reserve training. While in port, she also participates in the motorboating safety program. Since in time of war, national emergencies, or when the President shall so direct, the Coast Guard leaves the Department of Transportation and becomes a part of the Navy, it is also part of the MINNETONKA ' s mission to remain prepared to assume her place in the Navy. To accomplish this, a constant program of training is in effect, culminated every year in a month of Navy Refresher Train- ing at San Diego, California. In December, 1967, the MINNETONKA was assigned to Coast Guard Squadron Three, under op- erational control of the U. S. Seventh Fleet. Here she operated along the coast of Viet Nam in Market Time Operations, reducing the flow of contraband goods entering the country. In October, 1968, the MINNETONKA returned to her homeport. Long Beach, California.

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Executive Officer During the past ten months, everything that was asked of this ship was accomplished. Whether it was a gunfire mission, a personnel inspection, or just plain giving of yourselves to a cause, it was always a first class effort. I am proud to have been a part of the finest cew of the best ship in the Coast Guard. As we end our deployment, I wish you con- tinued success in all of your future endeavors. LCDR R. S. TUNESKI, USCG New London, Conn. Engineer Officer At best, this cruise book stands as a token reminder of the experiences shared by us; all of which have touched our lives in as many ways as our number. A ship is dead and a lifeless thing without a crew. You gave this ship life and a record, your record, of which you all may be ever- lastingly proud. But the lifeblood of this ship comes not from the crew alone; it is inextricably fused with the lives of our wives, families, or sweethearts. May this book serve as a fitting reminder of the important part they played in the successful completion of this mission,- may they share the feeling of satisfaction and accomplish- ment of a job well done. LCDR C, E. SIEGMAN, USCG Desplaines, III.