Current (ARS 22) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 52 of the 1967 volume:

oD CURRENT ARS vestern pacific deployment 16 Jan-20 Jul 36 Florida. Baton Rouge. L G. M. GIGANTI 1_CDR, USN COMMANDING OFFICER Me$s$ie bom fhe C pim... ii e. have jwii compJjz;ied a hjLQhJj yiaccz pud. l ed lic DeployneivL Oi. tvod e dujiJzJLu. yoLUi Can Do pL uut and ieantoo di ihat made. ihe. d pyLo mni. 3n. ihe. xix alvag z. opeMxdxonA ihai. (jjAA.eni. compieiedi, we. we ie. paced uxLth. dippeAervt, dJL pjjcjjJjL pnobLemA iha£ we. ioJLved by. teanvonh and inJJJxiijLve., Oi. woA ihAough you i e.f.po iiyi ihat QjAAjent made, a djjie.ct corv uhation in. yiavZng. mLLLioivi of. doJJxui wo iik of. pnxonJjLy, coAj and iLippin needed ijo iuppo ii. ouA. fo ice i in. Vieinnnu, Ike. neaJjL pution. ihai. we. did ou i dui.y. and did ii. ex.ceedin yLy. weJJ. houJd be. a memo iy. neven. fongoiien. and ihoald be a .6ouA.ce of p iide in. - elff in. ihx.pmai.eA and in ihe Navy. fan. ihe le of oun. Jjj e , you ha.ve inuJjy eanned and can be juAtLy. pnaud of ihe Hide of ' Saivo i : Oi waA my pieay6u ie io le u e wiih you, youn. dedicaiijon. io duty hoA iefi wiih me an indedijbie imp ieA ' iion, i ' hy exiend io each of you my ujvce ie be i wiyihe i fo i ucceA i in ihe fjjiune, od Luck and ' d peexL g. ;. gi anU LCPR USN (onmandiny I r. THE PAST YEAR ON THE 5TH OF FEBRUARY CURRENT ARRIVED IN PEARL FROM HER 1965 WESTPAC DEPUOY— MENT AND BEGAN HER UEAVE AND UPKEEP PERIOD WHICH LASTED UNTIL THE FIRST PART OF MARCH. THE WEEK OF THE 7TH WE CONDUCTED SEAMANSHIP, GUNNERY AND DIVERS ' TRAINING IN THE LOCAL HAWAIIAN OP AREAS. MARCH 15TH CURRENT WAS UNDERWAY FOR MAUI WHERE ALL DIVERS WERE REQUALIFIED IN ISO FEET OF WATER OFF OFLAHAINA. CURRENT RETURNED TO PEARL HARBOR ON MARCH 18TH TYING UP IN THE SHIPYARD WHERE SHE WAS TO UNDERGO MODIFICATION FOR PROJECT TAMARIN. THE PROJECT ENTAILED LAYING A LARGE BOUY AND INSTRUMENTATION PACKAGE EXACTLY 800 FEET BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE OCEAN IN 2400 FATHOMS OF WATER. THE SHIP WAS MODIFIED TO WITHSTAND THE HEAVY STRAINS ENCOUNTERED DUR- ING HANDLING OF THE SYSTEMS, TO PROVIDE THE SCIENTISTS AND PROJECT WORKMEN A LABORATORY TO HOUSE THEIR EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENTS, AND TO IMPROVE THE RECORDING AND ACCURACY OF OUR PRESENT FATHOMETER. TO ACC- OMPLISH THIS THE AFTER BOOM WAS STRENGTHENED WITH HORIZONTAL METAL STRAPS WHERE IT COULD EASILY HANDLE LOADS UP TO 8 TONS. A WORKSHOP AND INSTRUMENT CONTAINER WAS WELDED OVER THE AFTER SALVAGE HOLD AND A RAYTHEON PRECISION DEPTH RECORDER WAS INCORPORATED IN THE SHIP ' S PRESENT FATHOMETER SYSTEM. WITH THE MODIFICATIONS COMPLETED, TWO COMPLETE BOUY SYSTEMS WERE LOADED ABOARD UNDER THE DIRECTION OF LCDR STINNER, WHO WAS A REPRESENTATIVE OF TAMARIN. THE SHIP WAS READY FOR TRIALS BY 26 APRIL. THE REMAINING WEEK IN APRIL WAS SPENT REHEARSING FOR THE PLANNED DROP WHICH WOULD TAKE PLACE OF F THE ISLAND OF HAWAII. MAY 1ST THE SHIP WAS UNDERWAY ENROUTE TO 19— 30N 156-30W, A POINT OFF THE KONA COAST OF HAWAII WHICH WAS THE INTENDED DROP AREA. TWENTY FOOT DECOMPRESSION STOP THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS WERE SPENT CONDUCTING A BOTTOM SURVEY TO FIND AN AREA SUITABLE FOR PLANTING THE SYSTEM. THE FIRST BOUY WAS SUCCESSFULLY DROPPED ON THE SIXTH OF MAY AND THE SHIP THEN RETURNED TO PEARL TO PROCURE MORE MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE SECOND DROP THE PERIOD OF 11 TO 16 WAS SPENT IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO PLANT THE SECOND BOUy! 17-19 IN PEARL PICKING UP MORE SUPPLIES. THE 20TH OF MAY MARKED THE END OF THE SHIP ' S PARTICIPATION IN PROJECT TAMARIN WITH THE SUCCESSFUL PLANTING OF BOUY NUMBER 2. AFTER A BRIEF STOP IN KAILUA, HAWAII THE SHIP RETURNED TO PEARL ON THE 26TH OF MAY FOR DEMODIFICATION. THE SHIP REMAINED IN THE SHIPYARD UNTIL THE I3TH OF JUNE. CURRENT SAILED FROM PEARL WITH YFN 913 IN TOW ENROUTE TO LOCAL OP AREA ALFA FOUR. THE YFN WAS MANNED AND HER MISSION WAS TO COLLECT SAMPLES OF WATER FROM VARIOUS DEPTHS TESTING FOR GAS CONTENT. CURRENT AND TOW REMAINED WITHIN A 5 MILE SQUARE AREA UNTIL THE 26TH OF JUNE WHEN THEY RETURNED TO PEARL HARBOR. THE FOLLOWING WEEK WAS SPENT PROVIDING SERVICES FOR COMFLETRAGRU PEARL AND THE WEEK OF THE THIRD OF JULY WAS SPENT INPORT. CURRENT SHIFTED TO THE SHIPYARD ON THE 7TH OF JULY FO R ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. MONDAY THE I8TH OF JULY THE SHIP GOT UNDERWAY FOR LOCAL TRAINING BUT ENROUTE FROM PEARL HARBOR RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM COMSERVRON FIVE DIVERTING CURRENT TO THE USS HISSEM (DER-400) WHICH WAS HAVING EN- GINEERING PROBLEMS 1000 MILES FROM OAHU. EARLY THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE HISSEM RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM ANOTHER SOURCE AND THE CURRENT PROCEEDED ON HER PREVIOUSLY ASSIGNED MISSION: SALVAGE AND DIVING TRAINING. SHE ARRIVED OFF THE COAST OF LANAI AT NOON ON THE NINETEENTH. SHE SURVEYED THE AREA AND LAID TWO SETS OF BEACH GEAR TO AN ABANDONED YOS-30, WHICH WAS HARD AGROUND ON KALOHI REEF. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY COM- PLETING THREE DAYS OF SALVAGE TRAINING THE SHIP RETRIEVED HER BEACH GEAR AND SHIFTED ANCHORAGES TO LAHAINA MAUI FOR FOUR DAYS OF DIVERS ' TRAINING AND REQUALIF ICATION. CURRENT PROCEEDED TO PEARL HARBOR ON THE 26TH OF JULY WHERE SHE HELD UNDER- WAY TRAINING EXERCISES THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK. DECK FORCE TURNS TO ON TAMARIN ' FRIDAY THE 29TH OF JULY THE SHIP ENTERED THE SHIPYARD FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE SHE REMAINED UNTIL THE 8TH OF AUGUST. THE 8TH THROUGH THE I5TH CURRENT PROVIDED SERVICES FOR COMFLETRAGRU PEARL. SHE REMAINED INPORT FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK BUT AGAIN RETURNED TO SEA TO PROVIDE SERVICES THE 22N D OF AUGUST. THE 4TH THROUGH THE 14TH OF SEPTEMBER SHE REMAINED INPORT THEN AGAIN PROVIDED SERVICES FOR THE FLEET. tss vRammammxmtmmmasT- EX YOS-30 WELL AGROUND ON KAUOH I REEF SINCE WORLD WAR II THE 19TH OF SEPTEMBER THE TIDES SHIFTED AND IT WAS CURRENT ' S TURN TO DO THE TRAINING. SHE SPENT THE FOUUOWING TWO WEEKS PREPARING FOR A TRE AND ORI THAT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE NEAR FUTURE. THE WEEKS OF THE 8TH AND I7TH OF OCTOBER CURRENT PROVIDED SERVICES FOR COMFUETRAGRU PEARL, REMAINING IN PORT THE WEEK OF THE lOTH. THE EVENING OF THE 17TH DURING A TIDAL WAVE ALERT THE CURRENT GOT UNDERWAY FOR HONOLULU HARBOR WHERE SHE TOOK THE USS ELK- HORN (AOG-7) in TOW. HER MISSION WAS TO KEEP THE ELKHORN, WHICH WAS UNDER MODIFICATIONS IN THE HONOLULU YARDS, A SAFE DISTANCE FROM SHORE IN CASE A WAVE HAD BEEN GENERATED. NO WAVE WAS FORMED AND WE LEFT ELKHORN IN THE CUSTODY OF A CIVILIAN TUG TO BE RETURNED TO HONOLULU SHIPYARDS. CURRENT RECOVERS EXERCISE TARGET NAVY DAY, 29 OCTOBER, CURRENT HELD OPEN HOUSE AT KILO PIERS WHERE SHE WAS THE CENTER OF ATTRACTION WITH HER DIVING OPERATIONS AND SALVAGE PUMP DEMONSTRATIONS. CURRENT RETURNED TO THE SHIPYARDS ON THE 30TH AND REMAINED THERE UNTIL THE IST OF NOVEMBER. THE FIRST PART OF NOVEMBER WAS USED FOR UNDERWAY TRAINING. CURRENT ' S ATTENTION NOW SHIFTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND P RE- DEPLOY M E NT INSPECTIONS. WHICH WERE GIVEN TO THE SHIP ON THE 18TH THROUGH THE 2IST. THE FINAL GRADE FOR THE TWO INSPECTIONS WAS OUTSTANDING. THE SHIP WAS TRULY READY FOR DEPLOYMENT. THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM COMSERVPAC: COMMANDER SERVICE FORCE, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET HAS REVIEWED THE CURRENT ' S ADMINISTRATIVE INSPECTION AND TAKES PARTICULAR PRIDE IN ASSIGNING A FINAL GRADE OF OUTSTANDING (95.35). IT IS NOTED THAT THE GRADE ACHIEVED IS THE HIGHEST ASSIGNED TO ANY SERVICE FORCE SHIP SINCE SEPTEMBER 1965, AND IS EVIDENCE OF THE CONTINUANCE OF EXCELLENT LEADERSHIP SINCE THE OUTSTANDING GRADE ACHIEVED IN CURRENT ' S LAST ADMINISTRATIVE INSPECTION CONDUCTED IN SEPTEMBER 1963. THE OPERATIONAL READINESS INSPECTION WAS NEXT ON CURRENT ' S LIST. COMFLTRAGRU PEARL GAVE US THEIR BATTLE PROBLEM AND THE REMAINING EXERCISES WERE ADMIN- ISTERED BY USS TAKELMA, ATF-110. THE FINAL GRADE FOR THE ORI WAS GOOD . THE SHIP REMAINED IN PORT IN AN UPKEEP STATUS UNTIL THE lOTH OF DECEMBER WHEN SHE DEPARTED FOR BREMERTON, WASHINGTON .... ALOHA H AWA 1 1 1 1 UNDERWAY UNDERWAY SATURDAY THE TENTH OF DECEMBER ENROUTE BREMERTON NAVAL SHIPYARD. WASHINGTON. ASSIGNMENT - PICK UP APL.-26 or DELIVERY TO VIET NAM. 2,.04 M.L ° FAIR WINDS AND F01_1_0WING SEAS MAKE THE loURNEY MUCH MORE PLEASANT THAN WAS THE SIXTEENTH OF DECEMBER FOUND THE CHIEFS ' QUARTERS BUSTLING WITH ACTIVITY AS TOM BOOT DOOLEY WAS OFFICIALLY moOCTRINATED INTO THE CHIEF ' S CLAN. CONGRATULATIONS TOM. ON MAKING BOATSWAINS MATE CHIEFI AROUND THE SIXTH OR SEVENTH DAY WE BEGAN TO FEEL THE COLDNESS OF THE NORTHERN WINDS. FOUL WEATHER GEAR WAS ISSUED AND ' ■HE HEATING SYSTEM FILLED WITH STEAM. l.AHOFJ l.1. WAS M ° AT MIDNIGHT ON THE EIGHTEENTH OFF TI E STRAITS OF JUAN DE FUCA, A THIRTY MILE WIDE loDY OF WATER SEPARATING CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES. THE SHIP PASSED SNOW CAPPED MT. OLYMPUS. TALL FIR TREES, AND THE CITY OF SEATTLE WITH HER WORLD ' S FAIR NEEDLE RESTAURANT REACHING TOWARD THE SKY. THE SHIP HAD TRANSITED PUGET SOUND FOR ARRIVAL AT BREMERTON NAVAL SHIPYARD. IN THE HECTIC LAST WEEKS BEFORE A WESTPAC DEPLOYMENT. A VERY NECESSARY ALTHOUGH UNCOMFORTABLE FUNCTION IS PERFORMED BY DOC NUTTAL, ASSISTED SOMEWHAT UNWILLING- LY BY SFM2 ELLIS. INJECTIONS TO PROTECT THE BODY AGAINST VARIOUS DISEASES PREVALENT IN WESTPAC TAKE THEIR TOLL IN SORE MUSCLES AND ITCHING SCABS. SMALLPOX, TYPHOID. TYPHUS, CHOLERA, PLAGUE, INFLUENZA, TETANUS, YELLOW FEVER, AND POLIO HOLD NO TERRORS FOR THE CREWMEN. ENS WEIS AND SM2 GILMORE BUNDLE UP FOR THE COLD WEATHER. bremerton MOORED BREMERTON NAVAL SHIPYARD, BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, HOME OF A LARGE MOTHBALL FLEET INCLUDING THE MIGHTY BATTLESHIP MISSOURI. FOR MANY OF THE CREW IT HAD BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THERE WAS ANY LIBERTY ON THE MAINLAND .. AND EVERYONE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. THE CREW COULD BE FOUND ON THE FERRY TO SEATTLE OR IN BREMERTON IN PLACES WITH NAMES LIKE THE CROW ' S NEST, THE OUTSIDE INN, OR RENDEZVOUS, WE HAD THREE DAYS LIBERTY AND WE MADE THE BEST OF IT. THE APL WAS NOW READY AND WE BEGAN MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR GETTING UNDERWAY. A SELECT GROUP OF CHRISTMAS TREE REPRESENTATIVES WERE SENT INTO TOWN TO PROCURE TWO SHAPELY FIRS. CHRISTMAS DECORA- TIONS BEGAN GOING UP ALL OVER THE SHIP. THE SHIP WAS TRULY IN THE YULE TIDE SPIRIT. UNFORTUNATELY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS WOULD BE SPENT ENROUTE TO PEARL. A: e t4sr s «4 ' apy7 .. ' IX ' o CHRISTMAS UNDERWAY WITH API--26 IN TOW CURRENT RETURNED TO SEA. OUR CHRISTMAS TREES WERE WELDED SECURELY TO THE DECK AND DECORATED. ENS WEIS AND RM2 JEFF JUGAR ASSISTED IN SPREADING THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT THROUGHOUT THE SHIP. o CURRENT ' S CHRISTMAS POEM ' TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, WHEN ALL THROUGH THE SHIP IT WAS COLD AS THE DICKONS FOR THE BOILERS HAD QUIT THE CHRISTMAS TRE S WERE WELDED TO THE DECK WITH CARE, IN HOPES THAT HEAVY SWELLS WOULD LEAVE THEM THERE. THE CIC WATCHES WERE ALL SMUG IN THEIR PAD,_ FOR VIRIONS OF CONTACTS WERE NOT TO BE HAD, AND DOC IN HIS GARMENTS AND I IN MY RACK, HAD JUST SETTLED OUR BRAINS FOR A LONG WINTER ' S NAP WHEN OUT ON THfe MESS DECKS THERE AROSE SUCH A CLATTER I ROLLED FROM MY PAD AND FELL DOWN THE LADDER, AWAY TO THE MESS DECKS I FLEW LIKE A FLASH, TORE UP THE LADDER AND THREW OPEN THE HATCH IT WAS THAT DIVER FOX, SO L IVELY AND QUICK, I KNEW IN A MOMENT IT MUST BE ST. NICK, A BUNDLE OF GOODIES HE HAD FLUNG ON HIS BACK, AND HE LOOKED LIKE A PEDDLER JUST OPENING HIS PACK, he broke out a list, and went straight to and ' Pili??i ' all the stocking then turned with a jerk, and said, merry christmas to all, and to all a good night , A YULETIDE CREW MUST BE FED A PREPARED BY THE FINEST CHEFS CHRISTMAS DINNER ■▼PY •YA ... THAT ' S WHAT I SAID, MERRY CHRISTMASII Back to the Islands--- THE TRIP FROM BREMERTON TO PEARL. WAS AN ENGINEERING WATERLOO. THE CHIEF ENGINEER , LTJG BRYANT, CHIEF ZEPP, ENt FERGUSON, ALONG WITH MANY OF THE ENGINEERS SPENT A LOT OF SLEEPLESS NIGHTS KEEPING THE BOILERS AND EVAPORATORS OPERATING. MOLAKAI AND OAHU WERE A WELCOME SIGHT AS THEY CAME OVER THE HORIZON. SINCE WE WERE SCHEDULED TO STAY IN PEARL JUST A FEW DAYS, THE CREW WAS ANXIOUS TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS BEFORE DEPARTING TO WESTPAC. FN PITTS, EM3 DELANEY. AND EM2 STANLEY MAN MAIN CONTROL i I WHAT, NO WATER AGAIN TODAY? EVEN SN RIVERA HAD HIS PROBLEMS. SA ISSAC CLEANING SHIP BEFORE ENTERING PORT Back in Hawaii OUR SHORT HOLIDAY IN PEARU TURNED INTO A VACATION SINCE THE SHIPYARD COUL-D NOT COM- PLETE REPAIRS TO THE EVAP- ORATORS UNTIL THE I6TH OF JANUARY. THE ENGINEERS FIXED THEIR EQUIPMENT, SUPPLY RE- PLENISHED THE SHIPS STORES, DECK PERSONNEL CLEANED AND REPAINTED, AND OPERATIONS LAIDOUT THE COURSE TO GUAM. BY THE NIGHT OF THE I5TH THE SHIP WAS AGAIN READY TO GET UNDERWAY. AT THE FUEL PIERS CAPTAIN FULD ASSEMBLED ALL PERSONNEL ON THE FANTAIL FOR A SHORT DEPARTING PRAYER AND PRESENTATION OF ADVANCEMENT IN RATE TO EN2 KING, SF3 GARIES, EN2 WOLF, AND SF3 npREDDY ' l FULLWOOD, AFTER THE TRADITIONAL SWIM CALL THE SHIP SINGLED-UP ALL LINES ... UNDERWAY FOR WESTPAC ... 1400 16 JANUARY 1967. FIRST STOP GUAM. gnam THE FIRST OF FEBRUARY FOUND THE CURRENT AND TOW OFF A 216 SQUARE MlUE VOLCANIC ROCK LOCATED WITHIN A GROUP OF ISLANDS CALLED THE MARIANNAS. APRA HARBOR, GUAM WAS OUR DESTINATION. CURRENT ARRIVED OFF THE ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOR ONLY TO ANXIOUSLY WAIT UNTIL THE USS WANDANK ATA-204 WITH HER TOW ENTERED FIRST. THIS EXTRA TIME GAVE US A CHANCE TO LOOK OVER THE RUSSIAN TRAWLER WHICH STEAMS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS JUST OUTSIDE THE HARBOR ... OROTE POINT CLIFFS HOLD TWO MOORED ECHO PIERS THICK UNDERGROWTH COVERS MUCH OF THE ISLAND FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT SHE CAN TRANSMIT INFORMATION ON SHIPS ' MOVEMENTS FROM THE HARBOR AND THE DEPARTURE OF OUR HEAVY BOMBERS FROM ANDERSON AIR FORCE BASE. WITH THE CHANNEL CLEAR CURRENT AND TOW STEAMED INTO THE HARBOR BETWEEN THE GLASS BREAKWATER JETTY AND THE CLIFFS OF OROTE POINT. THE MERCHANT FREIGHTER GUAM BEAR LAY OFF OUR PORT BEAM WITH HER STERN BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THE WATER. SHE HAD SUNK ONLY TWO WEEKS EARLIER AFTER COLLIDING WITH A CIVILIAN TANKER. CURRENT SAILED DIRECTLY TO ECHO PIERS IN THE OUTER HARBOR TO TAKE ON MUCH NEEDED FUEL, THEN SHIFTED TO A BERTH IN THE INNER HARBOR AND ONCE AGAIN MADE UP TO THE APL-26. WE WERE TO GET UNDERWAY THE FOLLOWING MORNING ... AFTER SEVENTEEN DAYS OF CONSTANT STEAMING, GOING ASHORE WAS A WELCOME RELIEF. WITH ONE NIGHT OF LIBERTY WE MADE THE BEST OF IT. FOR CHUCK AND ACE IT WAS A CHANCE TO SEE OLD FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. FOR THE REST OF THE CREW IT WAS A CHANCE TO VISIT THE CLUB MACOMBO OR THE PUMP ROOM AND RELAX. THE MORNING OF THE 2ND OF FEBRUARY WE WERE ONCE AGAIN GIVING ALOHAS AS WE STEAMED OFF FOR SUBIC BAY, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. i ' GUN EMPLACEMENT OVERLOOKING THE HARBOR WORK BOAT GOING INTO THE WATER WAYCASTER AT THE PHONES Subic Bay, Philippines SPANISH GATE - REMAINS OF AN OLD FORT SN SAI-I-IE WITH CURRENT ' S SPECIAU SERVICE CARRYAL-l- STORES WORKING PARTY MR3 THOMAS AND ENl FERGUSON PERFORM A NEVER ENDING TASK ADVANCEMENT IN RATING CHANGE OF COMMAND Oi. ' y cLuiLn a i ' eA Pac aiulAe. iha± a y6aJ.va Ahlp comeA of. a po i, le jcuid- ie of- Luhjcut icheduJjayi may. icuy, ihlA iA wh rus. ihe. iaiva kip Li oJwayA on iho vi rwiLce. pan. gjeMung. undeMwau oJmxwa on caJJ. fo i a y6aJ.vagj2. Jjob, arui muM. oMucuyA be. njzady. io ihav- Juta Uuff, On ihe. poAt few tmrvthA we. have tnainjed and djiilled and lendied oun. ec jJ-pmeni. fo i ihJiA yiinj Jie. puApo e., ue-fone. depoA Ajig, oun. home. ponJ:, ikui ihip luoA gone. oven. by. a e ti ed of inyipecUjig. poAytLeAm On iheXn. opirujon - and aji mine. ihJLi ikip Ia leodyj oa few ' ' i even, have bejen, io undeAstahe an. ou tdianding, , eA£Pac cAJulAe, O ' m kf my. ihat uxjn ' t be heAje io iahe poAi. in ihat big, aiva Job we ' ve been looking fon, bat Jjzave wi±k confidence in. ihe hip, neApeci. foA. ihe obiJyLty of Ha men, and injuAi. in ihe fuiane, I he. fineAi meoAunin g, AiLck fon. a ihlp iA ihe cj mlHy and tpUiii of Ha wen. — by ihiA yiiandund QjAAeni. iA iaU. indeed, Qood Luck, O ' ve been, pnoud io Aieom wiih. you, Q L FuM (ommandJinjg, OffJucen. ON THE I3TH OF FEBRUARY CAPTAIN FUI_D WAS REUIEVED BY CAPTAIN G. M, GIGANTI. CAPTAIN C. L, FULD CAPTAIN G. M. GIGANTI Olongapo « « « • ACROSS THE KAL.AC1_AN CHANNEL. LIES THE CITY OF OLONGAPO AND CL-UBS WITH NAMES LIKE THE CAVE, ZANZIBAR, PALENES, GARNDELL-A, AND SHANG HAI. OLONGAPO, PHILIPPINES - BORN AND BRED IN THE STYLE OF A KLONDIKE BOOMTOWN, THIS TINY PORT CITY IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST PIECES OF REAL ESTATE IN THE PACIFIC, SITUATED AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE U.S. NAVAL BASE IN SUBIC BAY, THIS LUSTY LITTLE CITY SWALLOWS UP THOUSANDS OF SAILORS WHO MAKE THE DAILY EXODUS IN SEARCH OF ANYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL BEAR. WHEN THE FLEET IS IN PORT, AS MANY AS 11,000 BOOTS WILL POUR OVER THE BRIDGE LEADING INTO TOWN. FROM FOUR P.M. UNTIL AROUND MIDNIGHT, WHEN CURFEW THREATENS TO TURN EVERYONE INTO PUMPKINS, THE CITY JUMPS LIKE TOMORROW MAY NEVER COME. THE SAILORS ' FAVORITE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION THE JEEPNEY AND HIS PATH- MAGSAYSAY AVENUE WILLETT KNOWS WHERE THE ACTION ONE MORE SAN MIGUEU - BMC DOOLEY FIESTA ' 66 - SFM3 AUL.T, EM3 PAPPE AND SA ISSAC AND FRIENDS IN MOST BARS, BEER GOES FOR ABOUT ONE PESO (APPROXIMATELY 23 CENTS). IF THE WATERING SPOT HAS A ROCK AND ROUl_ BAND OR FLOORSHOW, THERE ' S NO TEULING HOW HIGH THE BI1_U WILL BE, THERE ' S NO TROUBLE FINDING ACTION IN ANY OF THE 1,500 PUBS THAT FLOOD THE STRIP CALLED MAGSAYSAY AVENUE. NEWCOMERS IN PORT ARE EASY PREY FOR THE LOCAL BRAND OF TRANSPORTATION CALLED JEEPNEYS. THESE JEEPS WITH BACKSEATS MADE INTO PADDED BENCHES CAN CARRY AS MANY AS TEN PEOPLE. IF THE DRIVER THINKS HE HAS A FISH HE WILL TRY TO GET AS MUCH AS FIVE PESOS FROM THE GREEN SAILOR. LOCAL CABS COST ONLY TEN CENTAVOS. FOR BETTER OR WORSE, OLONGAPO WILL CONTINUE TO REIGN AS KING OF THE ACTION SPOTS FOR U.S. TROOPS IN THE PHILIPPINES AS LONG AS TIGHT DRESSES AND SHORT HEMLINES ARE THERE TO SERVE UP THE DRINKS AND WHISPER SWEET NOTHINGS. LONG BLACK HAIR, OLIVE SKIN, AND BROWN EYES — UMMMI Services For the Fleet g333XX?aLCa3X33 FOR TWO MONTHS, CURRENT PROVIDED GUNNERY TARGET SERVICES FOR VARIOUS UNITS OF THE SEVENTH FLEET. THIS MEANT THAT WE WERE UNDERWAY MANY WEEKENDS AND AWAKE AT THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING IN ORDER TO MEET OUR COMMITMENTS. THE SHIP TOWED TARGET SUEDS, WHICH ARE LARGE HYDROPLANES WITH A SHEET OF CANVAS USED AS THE TARGET, 3000 FEET ASTERN, AND CARRIED 14 FOOT SPEED BOATS WHICH WERE RADIO CONTROLLED. THE BOATS WERE LAUNCHED AND BY USING RADIO CONTROL THEY COULD SPEED TOWARD THE EXERCISE SHIP SIMULATING MOTOR PATROL BOATS. THESE TARGETS WERE ACTUALLY TAKEN UNDER FIRE AND USED TO TRAIN THE GUN CREWS OF THE SHIPS DESTINED FOR PATROL OFF VIETNAM. ii nFIREFlSH TARGET SPEED BOAT BEING LOWERED OVER THE SIDE USS ENTERPRISE CLOSES TO MAKE A FIRING RUN THE SHUTTLE BUS« UNDERWAY WATCH The Countryside BAGU lO ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES IS BAGUIO . THE CUIMATE, A COMPLETE CHANGE FROM OLONGAPO, WAS RELAXING WITH A COOL MOUNTAIN BREEZE. LOCATED 180 MILES NORTH OF 5UBIC BAY, BAGUIO LAY HIGH ATOP THE MOUNTAIN PROVINCE. MANY BEAUTIFUL HOMES AND COTTAGES DOTTED THE HILL- SIDES AS SUMMER RETREATS FOR MANY OF THE WEALTHY PHILIPINO CITIZENS. JOHN HAY AIR FORCE BASE, LOCATED IN THE CITY, PROVIDED A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO LODGE. THE BASE IS ONE OF THE ARMED FORCES MOST BEAUTIFUL RECREATIONAL CENTERS , FEATURING ATTRACTIVE COTTAGES AND A ROLLING GOLF COURSE. ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE CITY, GRETTO INDIANS CARVE WOODEN FIGURES OUT OF PHILIPPINE MAHOGANY. AT NIGHT, ENTERTAINMENT COULD BE FOUND IN ONE OF THE PROVINCE ' S NIGHT CLUBS SUCH AS THE CRYSTAL CAVE, TROPICAL, OR THE TOP HAT CLUB. BAGUIO CITY MANILA RICE FIELDS BEING PREPARED FOR PLANTING MANILA WAS THE TRIP AWAY FROM OLONGAPO CITY THAT MANY OF THE CREW MADE AFTER RETURNING FROM VUNG TAU. A SMALL BUS WAS RENTED, USING THE RECREATIONAL FUND, AND TEN OF THE CREW WERE OFF TO THE CAPITAL CITY FOR A RELAXING WEEK- END. THEY WERE TO FIND THAT THE CITY HAS MARVELOUS RESTAURANTS AND GLAMOROUR NIGHT CLUBS. THE MARKET AREA HAS EVERYTHING FROM BEAUTIFUL ART CENTERS TO THE DELICIOUS BALUTS - A DUCK EGG GENTLY BOILED AT AN AGE SO MATURE THAT THE NEARLY DEVELOPED BIRD INSIDE HAS FEATHERS. MANY SOUVENIRS WERE PURCHASED AND EVERYONE RETURNED TO THE SHIP EXHAUSTED AFTER A RELAX- ING WEEKEND. MANILA BAY LOOKING FROM DEWEY BOULEVARD. BATAAN LIES IN THE BACKGROUND Dong Nai Dredge — Vung Tau THE UNDERWATER SURVEY AND RIGGING FOR A BOW LIFT ARE MADE FROM THE FANTAIL. GREENLET (ASR-IO) 1_IES AT ANCHOR IN THE BACKGROUND. THE SHIP IS RIGGED FOR BOW LIFT CURRENT ARRIVED IN THE VUNG TAU AREA THE FOURTH OF APRIL TO SALVAGE THE FIFTY FOOT DONG NAI DREDGE WHICH SUNK A COUPLE OF MONTHS EARLIER DURING HEAVY SEAS. AFTER A DAY ' S SEARCH THE WRECK WAS LOCATED, CAPSIZED IN SEVENTY FIVE FEET OF WATER. THE DIVERS, LED BY ENS WEIS AND BMl KOSTERMAN BEGAN THE JOB OF SURVEY- ING DAMAGE AND RIGGING TWO ONE INCH SHOTS CHAIN STRAPS UNDER THE DREDGE AND CONNECT THE HEAVY WIRE PENNETS TO BE USED FOR A BOW LIFT. CURRENT TUCKS THE DREDGE SAFELY UNDER HER KEEL. ONLY THE WIRES AND EXCESS MATERIAL TRAILING FROM THE DREDGE MUST BE CUT BEFORE MOVING HER INTO SHALLOW WATER. -rJV CURRENT LIES AT ANCHOR WAITING FOR A FAVORABLE TIDE BEFORE MOVING TO SHALLOW WATER. TWO ONE INCH CABLES LEADING TO THE LADDER HAD TO BE CUT WITH A SHAPE CHARGE. SM2 GILMORE , EN2 STANLY AND EM2 KING WERE QUICK TO REAP THE REWARDS OF THE SUDDEN CONCUSSION, mail was a most welcome sight, This swift boat brings our first MAIL in twelve DAYS. WITH THE STERN LOWERED IN SHAl_l_OW WATER, THE DREDGES BOW BREAKS THE SURFACE AS THE SHIP ATTEMPTS TO UPRIGHT HER, THE UPRIGHT DREDGE IS LOWERED TO THE BOTTOM. USS GREENLET (ASR-IO) ARRIVED ON THE SCENE ON THE SIXTH TO ASSIST AS NECESSARY. CTU 73.4.1 EMBARKED IN THE GREENLET WHILE CTF 73 STOOD OVERALL WATCH. CURRENT SUCCEEDED IN RAISING THE DREDGE DIRECTLY BELOW HER KEEL AND MOVED INTO SHALLOW WATER. AFTER UPRIGHTING THE DREDGE, CURRENT AND GREENLET DIVERS MADE PREPARATION FOR SECURING ALL OPENINGS WITH PATCHES. UPON COMPLETION OF PATCHING, CURRENT PLANNED TO FILL ALL SPACES WITH AIR AND tlBLOW HER TO THE SURFACE. BUT THEN EVENTS INTERVENED ... THURSDAY THE 13TH OF APRIL A MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED BY RADIO THAT A BRITISH TANKER, THE AMASTRA, HAD BEEN HOLED BY AN EXTERNAL EXPLOSION IN NHA TRANG HARBOR AND NEEDED ASSISTANCE. CURRENl SLIPPED FOR HER MOOR LEAVING THE DONG NAl DREDGE FIFTEEN FEET BELOW THE SURFACE HAVING NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO FILL HER WITH AIR. OUR DESTINATION ... 200 MILES NORTH TO NHA TRANG, VIET NAM. EM3 DELANEY GOES OVER THE 5IDE TO INSPECT THE HULL AND REPLACE PATCHES. Q-Q-Q-Q-Q: AMASTRA SALVOPS - NHA TRANG, RVN CURRENT ANCHORED OFF AMASTRA AND TARA, USS GREENI.ET IS ANCHORED IN BACKGROUND. CHUT, A SMAI_1_ FISHING VIL-UAGE, LIES ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF NHA TRANG. THE AMASTRA WAS AT ANCHOR ONL-Y 300 YARDS FROM THIS V1UL.AGE WHEN THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED. CURRENT ARRIVED IN NHA TRANG DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND IMMEDIATELY DISPATCHED A TEAM TO THE DISABLED BRITISH SHELL OIL TANKER AMASTRA TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE AND PLAN A COURSE OF ACTION, AN EOD TEAM, WHICH SURVEYED THE DAMAGE ON THE TWELFTH JUST AFTER THE EXPLOSION ESTIMATED THAT OVER A HUNDRED POUNDS OF EXPLOSIVES WAS USED TO CAUSE THE SIX BY SEVEN FOOT HOLE. THE ENGINE ROOM, FIRE ROOM AND AFT PUMP ROOM HAD BEEN FLOODED IN 20 MINUTES CAUSING THE AMASTRA TO SETTLE BY THE STERN. THE KARA, ONE OF SHELL ' S DUTCH TANKERS, MOORED ALONGSIDE AMASTRA TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL POWER AND ASSISTANCE. BOTH SHIPS WERE ANCHORED LESS THAN 300 YARDS FROM THE SMALL FISHING VILLAGE OF CHUT WHICH LIES ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF NHA TRANG. BM2 HENDERSON, SA ISSAC , AND SA MATRICK WORK ON THE TEMPORARY PATCH A 12 X 12 FOOT SOFT PATCH WAS ASSEMBLED AND SALVAGE PUMPS AND COMPRESSORS RIGGED FOR TRANSFER TO THE AMASTRA. CURRENT TEMPORARILY MOORED ALONGSIDE AND TRANSFERRED ALL THE SALVAGE EQUIPMENT. WHEN DIVERS HAD SECURED THE PATCH, THE PUMPS WERE ni_|T OFF AND THE AMASTRA BEGAN TO SHOW FREEBOARD. THE SPACES WHICH HAD BEEN FLOODED WERE CLEARED WITH THE HELP OF 30 TO 40 VIETNAMESE AND FILIPINO STEVEDORES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF EN3 HIGHTOWER AND FA CLARK, AN ESTIMATED 6000 LBS OF SPOILED MEAT AND VEGETABLES WERE REMOVED TO A BARGE ALONGSIDE AND THEN DUMPED AT SEA. WITH THE DAMAGED SECTION OF THE SHIP OUT OF WATER A PERMANENT METAL PATCH WAS FABRICATED. THIS PATCH WAS WELDED IN PLACE AND AMASTRA WAS MADE READY FOR TOW TO SINGAPORE. SALVAGE EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED FROM AFTER SALVAGE HOLD AND PLACED ON DECK TEMPORARY PATCH IS BEING PREPARED IN BACKGROUND. BY THE I9TH, ALL SALVAGE MACHINERY HAD BEEN DISMANTLED A ND RESTORED ABOARD THE CURRENT — THE AMASTRA HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY SALVAGED. If PUMPS IN OPERATION .... ORIGINAL LEVEL OF THE SHIP IS MARKED BY OILY LINE. BMC DOOLEY AND CREW TRANSFER NEEDED EQUIPMENT ABOARD THE AMASTRA. fc SFM2 ACFA1_I_E, SFM3 FULUWOOD AND SFM3 STEFAN FABRICATE A METAL. PATCH. WITH THE DAMAGED AREA ABOVE WATER THE PATCH IS BEING REMOVED, AMASTRA MASTER AND l_l_OYDS OF UONDON INSURANCE AGENT OBSERVE, 7 fii U ' MR3 THOMAS AIDS IN REMOVING INTERNAL SHORING FROM HOUE CAUSED BY EXPLOSION. PATCH IN PLACE. COMMANDER SERVICE GROUPTHREE COMMANDER SERVICE SQUADRON THREE COMMANDER TASK FORCE SEVENTY- THREE FLEET POST OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO 96601 Ser70.1-iUCl 9 MAY 1967 From: Commander Service Group THREE To: Commanding Officer, U3S CURRENT (AR3 22) Sub j : AM TRA 3ALV0P3 1. I wish to extend to you, the officers, and men of US3 CURRENT (liRS 22) a Well Done for your efforts in the salvage of the Shell Oil tanker AMA3TRA. Working long hours under difficult conditions CURRENT ' S crew rapidly and efficiently patched the mine damage, dewatered the ship, and installed a permanent patch preparing the ship for tow. 2. The efforts of CURRENT made a direct contribution to the saving of a valuable ship and cargo needed to support our forces in VietNara. AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL SALVAGE OF THE AMASTRA CURRENT DEPARTS THE AREA ENROUTE CAM RANH BAY, RVN FOR C14I SAUVOPS. FROM: COMNAVFORV TO: USS CURRENT CONGRATULATORY MSG AMASTRA SALVOPS ALL HANDS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEWATERING AND PATCHING OF AMASTRA ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR AN EXPEDITIOUS AND EXEMPLARY JOB. YOUR OUTSTANDING ENTHUSIASM AND PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR AVERTING THE LOSS OF A VALUABLE FREE WORLD ASSET, WELL DONE. RADM WARD. CAM RANK BAY C-141 Salvage Operations Q) o o o o 9 o o o • o • o O O ONE OF THE JETS FOUR LARGE ENGINES IS UIFTED ABOARD g) l_TJG VINCE WEIS ATTACHES LIFTING WIRE TO TAIL SECTION OF PLANE IN 70 FEET OF WATEI , lt= AFTER ONE HOUR OF STEAMING, CURRENT ARRIVED AT CAM RANH BAY WHERE AN AIR FORCE C-141 HAD CRASHED AFTER TAKE — OFF IN 70 FEET OF WATER. CURRENT ' S JOB WAS TO RETRIEVE SELECTED PARTS OF THE GIANT JET TRANSPORT FOR CLOSER EXAMINATION BY AN AIR FORCE INVESTIGATION TEAM. ONE OF THE JET ' S FOUR ENGINES WAS LIFTED ABOARD THE SHIP AND THE TAIL SECTION DRAGGED INTO SHALLOW WATER FOR OBSERVATION. AFTER THE INVESTIGATING TEAM WAS SATISFIED IT HAD DETERMINED THE ACCIDENT ' S CAUSE, CURRENT DEPARTED THE AREA. LCM-8 SALVOPS - DUG PHO,RVN TWO UCM-EIGHT ' S LIE BROACHED ON THE SHORES OF CAP MIA. U.S. ARMY BASE CAMP IS SEEN IN THE BACKGROUND. CURRENT ' S TOUR OF VIETNAM DIDN ' T END IN THE NHA TRANG-CAM RANH BAY AREA. TWO HUNDRED MIL-ES AWAY FROM THE HOSTIUE FIRE ZONE, WHILE ENROUTE TO TAIWAN, THE SHIP RECEIVED A MESSAGE TO RETURN TO VIETNAM. THE ARMY HAD RUN INTO DIFFICULTY IN LANDING THREE LCM ' S. THE BOATS HAD BROACHED WHILE SUPPLYING THE ARMY CAMP AT DUC PHO. CURRENT ARRIVED ON THE 26TH OF APRIL AND SURVEYED THE CRAFT. TWO OF THE LCM-8S LAY SIDE BY SIDE ON THE BEACH, AND THE OTHER SUNK IN THIRTY FEET OF WATER FOUR HUNDRED YARDS OFF SHORE. IMMEDIATELY THE OUT- BOARD BROACHED BOAT WAS DETERMINED UNSALVAGEABLE BECAUSE OF THE WEAKENED CONDITION CAUSED BY THE POUNDING OF THE SURF AND THE AMOUNT OF SAND WHICH HAD FILLED THE OPEN VOIDS. TWO SETS OF BEACH GEAR WERE LAID AND AFTER TWO DAYS OF CONCENTRATED EFFORT, THE SHIP DRAGGED THE SAND FILLED BOAT CLEAR. NOW THE INBOARD LCM HAD AN OPEN PATH TO THE SEA. CURRENT ' S TOW WIRE WAS MADE FAST AND POWER APPLIED TO THE CAPSTAINS. THE BEACH GEAR PULLED THE INBOARD BOAT TO SEA. SEVENTY YARDS FROM THE BEACH THE BOAT, AND TWO WEEKS OF BACK BREAKING WORK SETTLED TO THE BOTTOM. AN UNOBSERVED PUNCTURED BOTTOM HAD MADE THIS LCM ALSO UNSALVAGEABLE. CURRENT CARRIED THE BOAT SEVENTY FIVE MILES TO QUI NHON. IN THE HARBOR, THE LCM WAS LOWERED TO THE SANDY BOTTOM WHERE A LARGE FLOATING DERRICK LIFTED IT CLEAR OF THE WATER FOR THE FINALE TO A TWO AND A HALF WEEK SALVAGE JOB. CURRENT REFUELED AND SAILED FOR THE PHILIPPINES AFTER 32 DAYS OF SALVAGE. FROM: COMNAVFORV TO: USS CURRENT INFO: COMSERVPAC COMSERVGRU THREE UNCLAS 1. I WISH TO EXTEND MY SINCERE APPRECIATION TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMAND FOR THEIR ENTHUSIASTIC EFFORTS DURING CAP MIA LCM EIGHT SALVOPS. WELL DONE. RADM VETH SENDS. 12 MAY 1967 l-CM-e AT QUI NHON BEING UIFTED CI_EAR OF WATER BY ARMY YARD DERRICK. CONNING STATION HAS BEEN CRUSHED BY CURRENT ' S BOW DURING 8S MIUE JOURNEY. FROM: ASMINO CTF 73 TO: USS CURRENT INFO: COMSERVRON FIVE COMSERVPAC UNCLAS YOUR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE DURING THE LAST THIRTY DAYS OF CONTINUOUS SALV OPS IS NOTED WITH PLEASURE. THE SALVAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF ONE LCM 85 MILES TO QUI NHON INDICATES THE HIGHEST ORDER OF SEAMANSHIP. WELL DONE TO ALL HANDS. 10 MAY 1967 CURRENT ' S STAY IN SUBIC WAS SHORT, ONLY TWO DAYS, AS A MERCHANT HAD RUN AGROUND IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. QUICKLY Al_l_ MACHINERY WAS PUT BACK TOGETHER AND COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT BEING OVERHAULED AT THE TENDER WAS RETREIVED AS CURRENT SINGLED UP ALL LINES TO GET UNDERWAY. S S Minot Victory Aground North Reef, Paracel Islands DELIVERING THE MESSENGER AND TOW WIRE TO THE VICTORY. BARGES ARE PLACED ALONGSIDE THE GROUNDED SHIP TO OFF LOAD HEAVY CARGO. FLASH I I I I PRESS RELEASE ... the navy salvage ship current and four fleet tugs, ON MAY 23, WRESTLED A STRANDED MERCHANT VESSEL FROM THE NORTH REEF OF THE PARACEL islands SOME 240 MILES N ORTHEAST OF DANANG. THE SS MINOT VICTORY HAD BEEN AGROUND JUST SEVEN DAYS WHEN AT 0745 THIS MORNING SHE SLID OFF THE CORAL. THE WW 11 VICTORY SHIP WAS CARRYING SIX THOUSAND TONS OF MACHINERY AND SUPPLIES FOR THE ALLIED FORCES IN VIETNAM WHEN SHE WENT AGROUND LAST TUESDAY. THE SHIP WAS ENROUTE FROM THE UNITED STATES TO DANANG VIETNAM AND HAS NOW RESUMED THE TRIP UNDER THE ESCORT OF THE USS HITCHITI. NAVY DIVERS FROM THE SALVAGE SHIP CURRENT SAID HULL DAMAGE WAS MINIMUM, IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE SHIP WAS FIVE HUNDRED TONS AGROUND ON THE REEF WHEN SHE SLID OFF. THE AVERAGE DEPTH OF THE WATER WHERE THE SHIP WENT AGROUND WAS ABOUT 18 FEET. THE FIRST SHIP TO REACH THE STRANDED SHIP WAS THE FLEET TUG USS MATACO, FROM THE TONKIN GULF. WITHIN TWO DAYS AFTER THE MINOT VICTORY GROUNDED THE FOUR OTHER NAVY SHIPS, INCLUDING THE FLEET TUG USS TAWAKON I AND AUXILIARY TUG USS MAHOPAC ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. IN A COMBINED EFFORT LAST FRIDAY, THE SHIPS FAILED TO REFLOAT THE STRANDED VICTORY SHIP. TWO BARGES FROM DANANG WERE PLACED ALONGSIDE THE FREIGHTER SUNDAY AND NAVY PERSONNEL BEGAN OFFLOADING THE SHIP ' S CARGO. BY MONDAY MORNING SCUBA DIVERS REPORTEC THE PREVIOUSLY GROUNDED AFTER SECTION OF THE MERCHANTMAN WAS AFLOAT, BUT THE BOW WAS STILL WEDGED INTO THE REEF. (MORE) DIVER INSPECTS THE HUI-I_ OF THE SOUNDED SHIP. BEACH GEAR RIGGED ON DECKS OF MINOT VICTORY. ANOTHER DAY OF OFFLOADING AND THE STRANDED SHIP SLID OFF THE REEF AFTER 26 MINUTES OF PU1_1_- ING THIS MORNING. 1_CDR G. M. GIGANTI, COMMANDER TASK UNIT 73.4.1 WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE SALVAGE SAID, ALTHOUGH MINOR DIFFICULTIES WERE ENCOUNTERED, THE JOB WENT QUITE WELL. WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE THE SHIP AND ALL CARGO MAKING (T SUCCESSFUL SALVAGE JOB. CURRENT AND MATACO IN IRONS 1 IL U- J3 p M m ? ' .fie a !! . ' it tf i CURRENT STARTS TO BUI1_D-UP TURNS ON HER SCREWS AND APPLY POWER TO THE BEACH GEAR. SHE ' S OFF. g888g8S88SSS888S88888S®g888SS8S8888S8888SS8®S888S888888888S8888S88888888888888S88S®S8888S8888®8® FROM: CTF 73 TO: USS CURRENT USS HITCHITI USS TAWAKONI USS MATACO USS MAHOPAC INFO: COMSEVENTHFLT COMSEVPAC UNCLAS SS MI NOT VICTORY SALVOPS 1. EXPERT SEAMANSHIP, PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNTIRING EFFORTS REQUIRED IN THE SUCCESSFUL REFLOATING OF THE MINOT VICTORY HAS DEMONSTRATED YOUR HIGH STANDARD OF READINESS. CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE TO ALL HANDS, $SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS3SSSSSSSSS@SS3SSSSSSSSSS®S®S®®®®®3®®S®®SS®SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! te kTlk L Si Im HCc v jl r iScJB P m A31 P J M . BEFORE OUR R R TRIP TO HONG KONG, A QUICK VISIT TO KAOHSIUNG WAS NEXT ON TAP. PUUL.1NG INTO THE HARBOR ONE COUl-D SEE THAT THE COUNTRY WAS WELL. PROTECTED FROM THE COMMUNIST MAINLAND. TAIWAN IS MAINLY A SEAGOING COUNTRY. ITS ECONOMY DEPENDS UPON THE SEA FOR ITS LIFE AND CONSEQUENT- LY SHIPS AND BOATS OF MANY SIZES AND SHAPES COUUD BE FOUND EVERY WHERE YOU LOOKED. ITS PEOPLE WERE EXCEEDINGLY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL TO THE SHIP ' S COMPANY. MANY FRIENDS WERE MADE DURING OUR SHORT STAY AND MANY MORE WHEN WE RETURNED. Mf 9P w.3p i • . ' I. ;-;: t i 1 fiTAONSIONCe TAIWAI Mowcf fCow . H THE MAGIC NAME OF HONG KONG BRINGS THOUGHTS OF A FABULOUS CITY. SITUAT- ED NEXT TO COMMUNIST CHINA, HONG KONG IS A BRITISH TERRITORY AND A FREE PORT. ITS LARGE HARBOR ACCOMODATES THE LARG- EST SHIPS WITH EASE. ONE CAN SEE THE FLAGS OF ALL COUNTRIES REPRESENTED HERE. CURRENT MOORED AT HMS TAMAR ON THE EAST ARM AND MADE LIBERTY MUCH MORE CONVEN- IENT THAN THE SHIPS AT BUOYS. FROM THE SHIP YOU CAN SEE THE SPLENDOR OF HONG KO NG. THE H. K. HILTON AND THE MANDARIN HOTELS AND THE ABSOLUTE POVER- TY OF THE WANCHI DISTRICT, LIVE SIDE BY SIDE. REFUGEES ARE CONSTANTLY POURING INTO THE CITY AND IT WOULD SEEM TO THE NEWCOMER THAT THE ISLAND WOULD SINK WITH ITS OVER-POPULATION. THE NAVY PURCHASING BRANCH HEADS THE LIST OF PLACES TO BUY GOODS. HERE ONE CAN SEE PRODUCTS OF EVERY NATURE FROM SILKS TO JADE, JEWELRY TO CAMERAS, CLOTHES TO WATCHES AND ON AND ON. BECAUSE OF ITS WIDE BACKGROUND IN CUL- TURES AND RELIGION YOU CAN FIND MOST EVERYTHING REPRESENTED SOMEWHERE IN THE GLAMOUR OF HONG KONG. CURRENT REMAINED IN PORT ONLY TWO AND A HALF DAYS FOR A MERCHANT HAD GONE AGROUND IN VUNG TAN, VIETNAM, OS Trader Salvops Vung Tau, Vietnam BEACH JUMPER UNITS OFF-LOAD THE MERCHANT WHIL.E BEACH GEAR IS l_AID FROM THE HEAVY LIFT CRAFT AND CURRENT. mnumMVVVW njJmjjxmx THE MSTS COSMOS TRADER AGROUND ON THE MUD SHOAI_S AT VUNG TAU GAVE CURRENT HER FINAL. SALVAGE OPERATION OF HER TOUR. CURRENT, HITCHITI AND HARBOR CLEARANCE UNIT TEAM FIVE WORKED HAND IN HAND TO PULL THE MERCHANT FREE AFTER THREE DAYS OF EFFORT. CURRENT DEPARTED VIETNAM, WITH A BRIEF STOP IN THE PHILIPPINES, ENROUTE home: mwmnumMm undervsfay MjiwjJJJuiai I RM2 JUGAR SITS THE CIRCUIT u n d e r w ay ooooa nO « O o THURSDAY, THE 20TH OF JULY, CURRENT ARRIVED IN PEARL HARBOR, HER HOME PORT. STEAMING TOWARD THE PIER YOU COULD SEE THE MANY HAPPY AND JOYOUS EXPRESSIONS OF THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS THAT HAD COME I TO GREET US ALOHA. AN ALOHA LEI WAS SENT OUT BY A LOCAL TUG WHICH WAS MADE BY THE WIVES OF THE MEN ABOARD. DRAPED AROUND OUR BOW, YOU COULD SENSE THE FEELING THAT WARMED OUR HEARTS. AS WE TIED UP THERE WERE ALSO THE FINAL ALOHAS MEANT FOR WESTPAC. THE CURRENT HAD COME HOME TO HAWAII, A PROUD SHIP AFTER SIX MAJOR SALVAGE OPERATIONS. - V Q Crew Roster COMMANDING OFFICER 1_CDR C. I_. FULD 1_CDR G. M. GIGANTI UT K, C. ROBERTS l-TJG M. H. I-USINK l_TJG V. I— WE IS 1_TJG K. D. BRYANT CW03 A. H. RACETTE HONOl-Ul-U, HAWAII l_EE, MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICER L.OMITA, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT HEADS OPERATIONS OFFICER COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER ENGINEERING OFFICER FIRST UIEUTENANT ATLANTA, GEORGIA CASTRO VALLEY, CALIFOR CABOOL, MISSOURI IRON MOUNTAIN, MICHIGAN AIR BUNTING DECK DEPARTMENT HET AT WORK SN BENTSEN - BUCKHORN, TEXAS SN CAMERON — KANSAS CITY, KANSAS SN CARRERA - REFUGIO, TEXAS SA CISNEROS - BAY CITY, TEXAS SA CRUMPTON - MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA SN DAVIS — DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS BMC DEZUTTER - GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA BMC DOOLEY — ARLINGTON, NEW JERSEY SR FORBES — DEARBORN, MICHIGAN SN GRANTZ — HONOLULU, HAWAII BM2 HENDERSON — WAHIAWA, HAWAII SN ISSAC - HOUSTON, TEXAS BMl KOESTERMAN — SPOKANE , WASHINGTON SA LOUDING — NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA SN MARINE - PORTLAND, OREGON SN MATRICK — ADAMS, WISCONSIN GMG3 PERKINS - WAYCROSS, GEORGIA SN RIEKER - LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA SN RIVERA - HONOLULU, HAWAII SA SASSER — LAWTON, OKLAHOMA BM3 STEFFENS — LAKE ORION, MICHIGAN BM3 STEIN - KENOSHA, WISCONSIN SN SUNDALL - DICKENS, IOWA SN TESTA— CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK BM3 TRACY — BELLEVU E , WASH INGTON OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT ETN3 BOISSE - SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA SFl ELLIS - GRIFFIN, GEORGIA RM2 FERREL - BURLINGTON, IOWA SM2 GILMORE - HUNTINGTON PARK, CALIFORNIA ETRSA HOADLEY - ASHABULA, OHIO ETR3 HOUSE - IRVING, TEXAS RM2 JUGAR — MIAMI, FLORIDA YN3 LOBERG - SIERRA VISTA, ARIZONA PN3 LOCKE - BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA RM2 MESH - NANTICOKE, PENNSYLVANIA RMSN MILLER - LINCOLN, NEBRASKA HMC NUTTALL - PROVO, UTAH RMS PAGE - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS RD2 PATERSON - POINT PLEASANT, NEW JERSEY SN SALLIE - PUEBLO, COLORADO QM2 STEWART - ALACHUN , FLORIDA RM3 TRAINER — MAYWOOD, CALIFORNIA ETN2 VASKO - TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT YNl WAYCASTER — MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE SM3 WILLETTE - WASHINGTON, D.C. QMl WILSON - ASTORIA, NEW YORK PAINTING OUT ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT SFM2 ACFA1_1_E - VALUEJO, CAUIFORNIA SFM3 AUUT - BATTL-EGROUND, WASHINGTON FN BAKER - DANVILLE, IOWA FN BAUMBACH — COL-UMBUS, TEXAS EN2 BOPP — IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA IC3 BUDD — ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA SFP3 CAIRES - HONOLULU, HAWAII FN CLARK — EASTGATE, TEXAS MRFN CLAUSEN - SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA MRFN CROWL - SCOTT CITY, KANSAS ENFN DE BORD — BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA EMS DELANEY — WINOOSKI, VERMONT EN1 FERGUSON — MONROE, NORTH CAROLINA DCl FOX - ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA SFMFN FULLWOOD - WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA FN GRANTZ - HONOLULU, HAWAII ENFN HAMILTON — BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA EM3 HENDRIX — MARSVILUE, WASHINGTON FN HESS - EUREKA, CALIFORNIA EN3 HIGHTOWER - GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA FN JONES — COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA FN JUBAN - COVINGToTg, LOUISIANA EM2 KACZOROWSKI - PARMA, OHIO EN2 KING - RUSSELVILLE, ALABAMA FN LORASH — BOYD, MONTANA IC3 MC KINNEY - PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA EMFN MIRANDA— SAN PABLO, CALIFORNIA EM2 NELSON - POMONA, CALIFORNIA EMFA NELSON - WHITTER, CALIFORNIA FN O ' BERRY — PEARL RIVER, LOUISIANA EN3 PAPPE - KANSAS CITY, KANSAS IC2 PARTON - SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS FA PITTS - HOUSTON, TEXAS EN3 SALAZAR - IMPERIAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA FN SANDBERG — BRIGHAM, UTAH EMI SANSAVER - EVERETT, WASHINGTON FN SHIPLEY -CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA EM2 STANLEY - NEW BOSTON, OHIO SFM3 STEFAN — CARMICHAEL, CALIFORNIA MRS THOMAS — HOUSTON, TEXAS EMFA WAGGENER - NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA ENS WOLFE - SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS FN WOOD, HONOLULU, HAWAII ENC ZEPP - SYRACUSE, NEW YORK BOOKWORK ' WHO, ME C ?n SUPPLY DEPARTMENT SK2 BANAYAD - TAAL, BATANGAS, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS SKI BLANSETT - HONOLULU, HAWAII CSS BUTTON - DEMING, WASHINGTON CSI CHARGUALAF — MERIZO, GUAM SD3 DIZON - SAN LOQUE, CAVITE CITY, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS SN JENSEN — CLINTON, IOWA TR JIMENEZ - BACOOR, CAVITE CITY, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS CS2 MICHAEL — GARY INDIANA TN NOLASCO - LAOAG CITY, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS CS OLSON — ROBBINSDALE, MINNESOTA nSHIP ' S STORE IS NOW OPEN A Last V ord from West pac THE FOLLOWING LETTERS WERE RECEIVED FROM OUR WESTERN PACIFIC COMMANDERS, EYE4 PB6M VmMt yioauuft wa«ei eccv: tan ' MV SCl£S wecMCH- USCO MWiiCKIi WITM SAUTAtcC -IMC ««.«M«sr« H SH MA KS) SAUMC laCM THE CURRENT SALVOf? 3 July 1967 Your performance has been outstanding throughout your deployment. You con- ducted two very successful salvage ops - MINOT VICTORY and COSMOS TRADER - in an expeditious and professional manner. In addition, CURRENT provided a unique service in laying an off-shore POL line for the Air Force at Ching Chuan Kang Air Force Base, a task far removed from your normal mission. Your impressive performance richly deserves a most sincere WELL DONE . VADM JOHN J. HYLAND, USN COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET Zjo Whom if may Concern .• KNOW YE THAT ON THE 2IST DAY OF JANUARY 1967 IN LATITUDE I60°32 ' NORTH LONGITUDE T80°00 ' WEST ON BOARD THE USS CURRENT (ARS-22) HAS BEEN FOUND SANE AND WORTHY OF THE MYSTERIES OF THE FAR EAST Golden Vraaon ruler o the 180 ' -« O MERIDIAN. ROYAL ORDER OF THE HAVING BEEN FOUND WORTHY, IS INITIATED ON THIS THE DAY OF ; NINETEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY- INTO THE ROYAL ORDER OF THE SEA BAT AND IS HEREBY DESIGNATED A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING. GRAND SEA BAT KEEPER OF THE SEA BAT