Mataco (ATF 86) - Naval Cruise Book

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jlqipa tatnrg TF 86, is .1 Fleet Ocean Tug mum-ct tor ll fierce and Warlikgwif , .MATACO A - L f ,Q ,. , M huge Iiricitn Indian tribe numbering about 20,QlM. lhe lX1lA I .-it fl is a native California Soufk fflwas laid on 27 June, 1942, and She was c-ommissionod at ,-xlnrneda, California her T343 Within six months after commissioning she had vorriplet ed what is believed - lglalizm esgnon-Stop tow in history - from Sam 19ranC'lSc'o, C':ilit'c4rliiu to Brisbane, Australia' a gistaice of over 6,8tlql nautical miles in 36 days. gt h remainder of World War I1 she partie-ipzitecl in the Gilbert Islands opergtmn, D ' t . . the Gaping? anil occupation of Sainan and the assaults on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. ln all, the MATACO earned five engagement stars. Service in Japan during the post war occupation was followed by many towing assig b United States for preservation and future service. nments ot non-sell-propelled vessels being returned found the MATACO participating in the lncfhon landings and perform The Korean conflict Q u ing combat salvage and air-sea rescue missions in tour other nizljor engagements. The MATACO, although a rotated ship, returned to the United St.nt,c-s on is May 1956 having com- pleted more than three years of continuous overseas duty steaming over nautical Peacetime duties of the MATACO consists of towing non-solt'-propelled and decommis sioned vessels from one location to another, search and rescue operat ions, diving and and towing target sleds for surface gunnery exercises. Although armed with a 3 f5tl gun, the automatic towing engine is vommonly referred to the tug's main battery. With this towing engine the NlA'l'At'O is c-:ipable of taking any ship afloat in tow under normal conditions. Four large diesel engines are prime movers for the MATACO's diesel-electric drive that produces 3,060 horsepower to turn her single propeller at speeds up to 16 knots tabout 19 MPHl. Fully loaded her length ot 265 feet and beam of 38 feet displaces about 165Ql tons of water with an average draft of 15 feet. 62 The wsgtime complement of 81 men and seven ofticfors and hor pezicetinie allowanceof A mf? an .We 0ff1CGI'S are organized into three departments under the cf-ognizance of Com- manding Officer and Executive Officer. if Fleefxuijin fiigo homeported Ship, the MATACO is a unit ot' the Service l-'orc'e, U.S. Paciflfiq Whose ins? nn e oiperational and administrative control of Cim'iiii'inmier Service Squadron ON , g la S e proudly d1SP13YS OU her briflge' wings. Lilac lwr sister units within the t e. ATN20 deploys regularly to overseas areas to assist in pre-serving peace. Her SBIWEQS f,tf'-' owing diving and rescue facilities t d ed shguld i'l arise. ' s an ready to serve thc- fleet whenever a ne 1 ffl-'fur .

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Message from Commanding Officer At the conclusion of a cruise it is well to reflect on the purpose and accomplishments of the cruise. For some this cruise to Norpac was a new experience for others was the second or even third trip to the Birthplace of the Winds . The tasks of the Navy are many and varied and each as important as the other in meeting the Navy's' committment to the defense of our Country and the free world. The success of the Navy is therefore de- pendent on each unit and each man performing all tasks to the very best of their ability. Through adverse weather and trying circum- stances each of you helped to give truth to the MATACO pledge of Towing, Salvage, and Service and can take pride in your contribution to another successful mission of MATACO. Your performance earned the respect and Well Done of all MATACO operational commanders. To our shipmates that have been transferred to other duty I am sure you will continue to perform such duties in a manner to bring credit to your unit, the Navy, and yourselves. To all I would like to extend my Well Done and appreciation for the hard work and spirit that made this a most successful and pleasant cruise. To the wives and families may I say that your contributions are equally important to the success of the Navy's operations. I am pleased and proud to have been able to serve as Commanding Officer of MATACO during this and the cruises of MATACO. A. R. EVANS CA message 7 rum the Qlaptain Captain Evans is a veteran of 21 years of naval service. He underwent recruit training in 1945 . . . . at the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego, and from there to Radar school. His first tour was aboard the USS Rockbridge fAPA-2285. As RD3 he reported to USS Rockingham fAPA-229 th t ' - ' J, en o USS Diachenko QAPA 1235. From the Diachenko he assumed duties as radarman aboard the USS Dennis J. Buckley QDDR-8081 In June of 1948 as RD2 he re ort d - , , P 9 to ground controlled approach school in Olathe, Kansas, and from there was assigned to GCA unit 4t26 in Minnea ol' M' ' ' ' ' p 1s, innesota. It was during this period that the Captain met and mar- ried the former Miss Elleen Kennealy. As RD1 he reported to the USS Mount McKinle Y fAGC-75 as air intercept controller. During the period he made Chief Radarman. From 1953 to 1956 he filled v ' ' arious instructor billets in the San Diego area, and in March 1956 reported to Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.I. Upon commissioning Ensign Evans reported to the the Plymouth Rock QLSD-295 as CIC officer. As LTJ G the Captain served aboard the York Count . LST-11 ' ' y 1 75, as First Lt. and Gunnery Officer. From there he went to the Corry QDDR-8175 as operations officer. As lieutenant, he took over as officer in charge of the USS Greenwood QDE-6799 a Reserve Escort Vessel, and upon activation during the Berlin crisis, became ' Operations Officer. In February of 1962 he became assistant ASW Weapons System Evaluation Officer at the Key West Test and Evaluation Center in Key West, Florida. In May of 1964, Captain Evans reported to the MATACO as Commanding Officer. Captain Evans received his LCDR 1eaves during this deployment. 3