Post by ChefEd on Jan 10, 2024 23:41:38 GMT
Beer, Boats, and Borrowed cars
Herb Crabtree stayed as motionless as he could. Wondering whether to bring the cold beer to his mouth and begin to sweat again, or to sit still and let the warm tropical breeze dry his last round of perspiration. No matter how minor the movement, every little action he took initiated a new round of sweat. Yet, the beer in his hand was as cold as he had ever had. He marveled how this little hole in the wall dive could provide beer that nearly had ice forming in the bottle. On the other side of what would generously be called a table, Hadden Levay also sat with his back to the dried mud wall. Like Herb, he sat with his beer in his hand wondering if the effort to lift the glass to his mouth was worth it.
“It would be a shame to let this beer get warm.” “Shh,” responded Herb, “too hot.” Hadden’s barely perceptible nod was his only response. With that, they both labored in the heat to lift their beers to their mouths.
It is late November 1941. LtCdr Herbert Crabtree and his executive officer Lt Hadden Levay are sitting outside a small little bar, west of Cavite City, The Philippines, overlooking Manila Bay. They have recently returned with their submarine the Sealion, from a patrol in the Dutch East Indies. In about two weeks’ time, in early December, the Sealion will begin a minor overhaul at Cavite Naval Yard. The crew and officers have already been given their shore leaves. Within the week they will return to assist in the preparations for the overhaul. In the meantime, depending on their predilections, each is spending his precious time as they see best, … or not.
Herb Crabtree hails from New Hampshire, from a long line of merchant and navy sailors. Hadden Levay, born and raised in Idaho, never saw the ocean until after he had joined the navy. Despite their very different backgrounds, the two men worked together almost telepathically. The two officers had first served together in 1936 aboard an old S-Boat. Herb was a Lieutenant j.g., and Hadden and Ensign, on their second, and first assignments, respectively. Their myriad duties there often overlapped, giving the two men much time to get to know each other, and their styles and methods. Four years later their paths crossed again when both were assigned to the Sealion. As LtCdr Crabtree and his crew got accustomed to each other, over several patrols, and multiple training exercises, a solid level of trust developed.
“The Bay has gotten much busier since we were last in port,” observed Hadden. “Considering the times, not surprising,” mused Herb, as the two men watched the naval traffic in and out of Manila Bay. Fewer were the civilian coastal traders plying in and out of the Bay, though there were plenty to be seen along the quays and piers. Replacing the local boat traffic were an increasing assortment of US Navy ships. From each of these ships countless small boats plied the waters on countless errands around the Bay. A constant stream of these boats traveled between Cavite, and Corregidor Island, at the mouth of Manila Bay, and Mariveles, just north of Corregidor, and Subic Bay, a short way up the west coast of Luzon Island.
“I hear we are getting our RADAR kit installed, in this overhaul.” “Yeah, should go in just before we go into drydock. COMSUBRON says it will allow us to pick up aircraft before they see us. River and Abe are in touch with the specialist who will install the system and then train us. River is getting us each detailed briefs on its operation and capabilities. Should have them tonight or tomorrow.” “Great, more homework,” joked Hadden.
The sun began lowering in the sky, to their left, but the heat did not subside. Both men were used to northern latitudes where November brought chilly, if not downright cold weather. They had both been in the southern tropics over a year, and still were having troubles acclimating to the ‘reverse’ seasons. Though, in The Philippines, only the amount of rain truly distinguished one season from the next. Basically, The Philippines had two season: Wet and Dry.
“Finish that, and we’ll head back.” “Yes, sir.” Hadden took his last swig, and the two officers stood and headed to the car borrowed from the motor pool. “When does motor pool expect the car back, Hadden?” “No particular time. They would, if they knew I had it. Officially,” responded Hadden, giving a slight shrug. “What will I do with you?” “The question, sir, is what would you do without me?”
Herb Crabtree stayed as motionless as he could. Wondering whether to bring the cold beer to his mouth and begin to sweat again, or to sit still and let the warm tropical breeze dry his last round of perspiration. No matter how minor the movement, every little action he took initiated a new round of sweat. Yet, the beer in his hand was as cold as he had ever had. He marveled how this little hole in the wall dive could provide beer that nearly had ice forming in the bottle. On the other side of what would generously be called a table, Hadden Levay also sat with his back to the dried mud wall. Like Herb, he sat with his beer in his hand wondering if the effort to lift the glass to his mouth was worth it.
“It would be a shame to let this beer get warm.” “Shh,” responded Herb, “too hot.” Hadden’s barely perceptible nod was his only response. With that, they both labored in the heat to lift their beers to their mouths.
It is late November 1941. LtCdr Herbert Crabtree and his executive officer Lt Hadden Levay are sitting outside a small little bar, west of Cavite City, The Philippines, overlooking Manila Bay. They have recently returned with their submarine the Sealion, from a patrol in the Dutch East Indies. In about two weeks’ time, in early December, the Sealion will begin a minor overhaul at Cavite Naval Yard. The crew and officers have already been given their shore leaves. Within the week they will return to assist in the preparations for the overhaul. In the meantime, depending on their predilections, each is spending his precious time as they see best, … or not.
Herb Crabtree hails from New Hampshire, from a long line of merchant and navy sailors. Hadden Levay, born and raised in Idaho, never saw the ocean until after he had joined the navy. Despite their very different backgrounds, the two men worked together almost telepathically. The two officers had first served together in 1936 aboard an old S-Boat. Herb was a Lieutenant j.g., and Hadden and Ensign, on their second, and first assignments, respectively. Their myriad duties there often overlapped, giving the two men much time to get to know each other, and their styles and methods. Four years later their paths crossed again when both were assigned to the Sealion. As LtCdr Crabtree and his crew got accustomed to each other, over several patrols, and multiple training exercises, a solid level of trust developed.
“The Bay has gotten much busier since we were last in port,” observed Hadden. “Considering the times, not surprising,” mused Herb, as the two men watched the naval traffic in and out of Manila Bay. Fewer were the civilian coastal traders plying in and out of the Bay, though there were plenty to be seen along the quays and piers. Replacing the local boat traffic were an increasing assortment of US Navy ships. From each of these ships countless small boats plied the waters on countless errands around the Bay. A constant stream of these boats traveled between Cavite, and Corregidor Island, at the mouth of Manila Bay, and Mariveles, just north of Corregidor, and Subic Bay, a short way up the west coast of Luzon Island.
“I hear we are getting our RADAR kit installed, in this overhaul.” “Yeah, should go in just before we go into drydock. COMSUBRON says it will allow us to pick up aircraft before they see us. River and Abe are in touch with the specialist who will install the system and then train us. River is getting us each detailed briefs on its operation and capabilities. Should have them tonight or tomorrow.” “Great, more homework,” joked Hadden.
The sun began lowering in the sky, to their left, but the heat did not subside. Both men were used to northern latitudes where November brought chilly, if not downright cold weather. They had both been in the southern tropics over a year, and still were having troubles acclimating to the ‘reverse’ seasons. Though, in The Philippines, only the amount of rain truly distinguished one season from the next. Basically, The Philippines had two season: Wet and Dry.
“Finish that, and we’ll head back.” “Yes, sir.” Hadden took his last swig, and the two officers stood and headed to the car borrowed from the motor pool. “When does motor pool expect the car back, Hadden?” “No particular time. They would, if they knew I had it. Officially,” responded Hadden, giving a slight shrug. “What will I do with you?” “The question, sir, is what would you do without me?”