Endicott (DMS 35) - Naval Cruise Book

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anifa lt was a hot tropical day when, on May 19, the Endicott dropped anchor in Manila Bay between Songley Point and the City of Manila. We had just come from forty days of patrol duty in Korea, and everyone aboard was eagerly anticipating liberty. The next day, we moved into Manila and tied up at Pier 5, for which all hands were grateful. lt was the first pier we had seen that close in quite some time and, incidentally, we haven't seen one since. Manila is a picturesque city of some 623,000 souls of Filipino, Japanese, Chinese and American extraction. lt has three seasons, wet, dry and drier. An average rainfall of 93-l0O inches. We of the Endicott will vouch for this last statement. Pity the poor soul in a, pair of whites who gets caught in the deluge. lt appears every afternoon like a thief out of the night, and ceases just as abruptly. So, as a result, most of us tried to be under cover whenever possible. Preferably, in quaint little bistros such as the Yellow Bar, Bill's Place and the Seaman's Club, to mention a few. Two camera and sightseeing trips were arranged for us by the Captain. One to Lake Tagatay, and the other to Corregidor. Lake Tagatay is an extinct volcano located in the mountains about three hours from Manila by bus. There is an attractive park here, with pavilions for dancing and facilities for picnics. The park is surrounded by a dense jungle, except for the one road leading into it. Sandwiches, beer and a horde of cameras of all sizes, shapes and descriptions were taken along. A few of the' hardier among us tried their hands at some horseback riding, but, for the most part, everyone doted on his camera, sandwiches and beer, with special emphasis on the last item. A good time was had by all. Corregidor being an island, the trip to Corregidor had toibe taken by boat. The two-hour boat ride out was uneventful, except for several com plaints of seasickness The Philippine Government has set Corregidor aside as a memorial to World War ll, and no restoration or rebuilding has been done where the American Army barracks or gun installations were. Everything is just as it was following the Japanese bombings and the subsequent surrender by General Wainwright. lt was an impressive sight to see, and everyone enjoyed the trip Manila boasts of having one of the best golf courses in the world, and rumor has it that Lt. Van Eaton received a few lessons on this course from his father-in-law who is an official with the Veterans' Administration in Manila. Don't fret, Mr. V. E., golf lessons can be pretty expensive, and l hear you got yours for practically nothing. We are still waiting for the Exec to tell us about the l9th hole there. Rumor has it that he won that one. Now would be a good time to mention one of the dearest friends and severest critics of the crew of the Endicott San Miguel Beer. Quite a few of us first encountered San Miguel at the E.M. Club in Pusan, Korea, and we might add it was a very pleasant meeting. lt washere that we learned Q33 .. I I ' I ,. , .. . 13: 5-25. r 1 . f5'1i?1' , v Jw- .r:'1-- . ' -S 'iii n.,v ,fy - ' r Q 44 1 ', 'n '15

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0 Yang Do scene of last year's aborted Communist invasion, proved a piece of pie to the Endicott this year. Beer parties ashore were the order of the day and the biggest fight all year was between a Marine Corps first Iouie and second louie, concerning the decoration of their mutually-shared hut with long dead but uncured, bird specimens. We weren't there for t-he final evacuation and wonder if those two places of worship still stand . . . the church on the hill . . . and the bar in the ravine. Those unnavigable shores added a third ship to their toll this year, the Canadian Huron apparently read feet for fathoms and made an unscheduled and disastrous visit at the cautious speed of I2 knots . . . for what we have avoided, Lord, we are truly grateful. Will we soon forget those friendly offers of octopus dinners, or the wonderful Crab-au-Yang Do lunches? Remember how they moved the young girls to the eastern island, and everybody started learning how to operate a sampan? And don't ever forget thatevening rush of the shutter- bugs up to the Ol deck to catch Yang Do Island, far eastern land of enchant- ment as it fades into memory in the beautiful rays of the setting sun. I I ' I . . . . 1 -1 -4 - -- - my ,V..-, , . ,. , M

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i ' 1 that San Miguel is brewed and bottled in Manila. When we heard that we were going to Manila for rest and recreation, it was almost as if we were going to see an old family friend. A few of the men visited the brewery while in Manila, and they were told that the brewery was having to work overtime, while the Endicott was in port, to meet the demand-. This may sound a little far-fetched, but anyone who went to Manila with us, will verify it. The opinions of San Miguel are many and varied, but they are all good. We also lmy good friend and kindred spirit, Gaylord Goetz, and myselfl felt that we couldn't leave Manila without a visit to General MacArthur's former headquarters, the Manila Hotel. This is an impressive pile of brick surrounded .by palm trees, Cadillacs and bellhops. We had a very good, unobstructed view of the entrance from the bar where we could watch the comings and goings of various Philippine and American government officials. We soon decided that this activity left us with much to be desired, so, with a final Martini, we bade a fond farewell to the former headquarters of Mr. MacArthur. i l haven't covered all of the activities pursued by the officers and men of the Endicott because l have neither the time nor space. But sometime, when you have nothing better to do, make your husband, father, son, or whatever the case may be, sit down and tell you all about our trip to Manila -l'm sure they will. l donft think any of us are apt to forget Manila any time soon. I know l won't. s Jos STEED, HM3