Subic Bay, SBFZ, ex Naval Base

[Karl Welteke]

Barretto in Subic Bay 2017 from the hills by Karl


Recently I took some pictures from the hills down of the Barretto area. I am uploading the pictures in high resolution. Barrio Barretto used to be the Naval Rifle Range and it was called Maquinaya after the name of the river in the valley. In 1945 it became the Naval Supply depot and remained so until it was moved the Subic Bay Naval Station proper. Around 1950 the area was returned to the Philippine authority and it became a residential area and then developed to a resort area for international and local tourists.


I uploaded the last 19 images into the below album and they are numbered 059 to 077. The previous 58 images in this album are from Olongapo, SBFZ, the former Naval Base and the waters of Subic Bay. This is the URL:


www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157685558669995


In this forum I present only five images and they are of lower resolution:




Za047 Barrio Barretto inland, the Columban College

060 from the south ridge of Barrio Barretto we are looking deep in the Barretto Valley, the river here is called Maquinaya, so we could call the Barretto Valley also the Maquinaya River Valley. The big structures are the Columban College (Barretto Branch). The high peak is called Mt. Boovillao and is inland from the Santa Monica Subdivision in the Matain River Valley.




Za048 Manga Beach in Barrio Barretto.

063 this is an older picture from the 25th of March 2017 and shows Manga Beach in front of Barrio Barretto. It is a holyday and the people are on the beach, this is exactly in front of Drift wood Beach. The floating bar is in front of the Arizona Hotel which used to be “Uncle Bob’s”.





Za049 Barrio Barretto, the former Maquinaya Valley.

070 in this picture and the all the next ones we are looking down on Barretto from the north ridge, just above the former Marmont Hotel. This is the NW corner of Barretto; the right street is now called Del Pilar St. where the Marmont Hotel used to be on. The present Barretto area used to be called Maquinaya and was the Naval Rifle Range; the targets were located below to photographer.





Za050 Naval Supply Depot in Maquinaya 1945

072 in this picture and the all the next ones we are looking down on Barretto from the north ridge, just above the former Marmont Hotel. This is the NW corner of Barretto; the right street is now called Del Pilar St. where the Marmont Hotel used to be on. At the end of this street, along the beach was the Naval Supply Depot in 1945 and was used a few more years after that. Remnants of the pier and loading area still remain today.





Za051 Barrio Barretto new hotels.


073 this is a close up, we see the old Marmont hotel, its 3rd floor was crushed by the Mt. Pinatubo ash. A new hotel has been built where the Marmont emergency generators stood, it is called Denito. At the end of the Del Pilar Rd. we see a new hotel structure with a green roof; that is an expansion of the By The Sea Hotel. To the right of it another large hotel building is going up. That is where the Marmont Hotel had another hotel building but was never allowed to open it; it was torn down.
The black ship in view is a newly acquired vessel for the Philippine Red Cross. Richard Gordon (Dick) of Olongapo Fame is the President of the Red Cross and is a sitting Philippine Senator.

[Karl Welteke]

SBFZ, ex Subic Bay Naval Base Main Gate area

These pictures are in high resolution in the album, so zoom in; they were shot on the 10th of July 2017.
On the Olongapo City side of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the ex U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay Main Gate Bridge, stands the new Shoe Mart (SM) Olongapo City Mall. It is about 7 storeys high and on top is the parking area. These high resolution shots were shot from the SM parking area and the bridge area. SM is building yet another and bigger mall right now at the old Olongapo City hospital area.

I established this album with 13 high resolution images in the Flickr account;

www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157687875955656

In this forum presentation I only show 2 images and they are much smaller:





Za084. The Main Gate of SBFZ, the ex U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay
-05. These are the land marks for this picture of SBFZ, the ex U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay the. At right is the east end of a new Ayala Mall. Next to it about 5 storeys high and with a red rim around the roof is the last big Enlisted Men (EM) Barracks we built, it is now called the International Hotel. Across the Olongapo Harbor is a large bulk grain building and grain silos. That was the Air Craft Carrier Wharf “Leyte”. To the right of it were the Officers Beach and the actual geographic ‘Cubi Point”. They are gone now and the places, with the help of a hill near the fuel pier, it became the new Subic Bay Container Port.
At left is our old taxi and bus area, where I stood in the long taxi line, sweating, to get back to the ship on time. It is now used for the same purpose. Behind it is the Remy Field sport complex. The left half has now a race track and is used for ball games etc. The right side gained these 3 large buildings for sports and other purposes. It is named after Admiral Remy who died in a plane crash on a mountain in Bataan. The American Legion Post on Magsaysay with the Oryoku Maru gun is also named after him. We see 2 of the 3 barracks behind Remy Field, which are now a hotel. We see the white bridge of a ship and cranes at the Alava Extension Wharf. Across the Olongapo Harbor we see the old Cubi Point Naval Air Station hangar which is the seldom used Subic International Air port Terminal. To the left of the terminal, again across the Olongapo Harbor stretch many white structures which are the Boton area. Most buildings are new




Za085. Magsaysay Drive, Olongapo City.
11. We are across the Main Gate Bridge of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the ex U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay. This is Magsaysay Drive; this was our first view of Olongapo City, left and right were many big clubs with life band and many pretty hostesses. This is the view we Sailors enjoyed hundreds of times on our way off the ships, off the Base on our way to a few hours of Liberty.
At right is this SM (Shoe Mart) Mall that has risen just outside and across the Main Gate Bridge of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the ex U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay. This block was called Lot 21 for many years and was used for various purposes at different times.

[Karl Welteke]

Ex Subic Naval Base Main Gate Area, July 2017

These pictures were shot on the 10th of July 2017.




Za090. The 1st Shoe Mart (SM) Mall in Olongapo

On the Olongapo City side of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the ex U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay Main Gate Bridge, stands the new Shoe Mart (SM) Olongapo City Mall. It is about 7 storeys high and on top is the parking area. These images were shot from the SM parking area and the bridge area. SM is building yet another and bigger mall right now at the old Olongapo City hospital area.

This album is only for people who have a connection the former Naval Base or live in this area now. This album has too many pictures, 58, so it may too drawn out for most people. The pictures in this album are not uploaded in high resolution and have only short descriptions. This is the URL:

s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/SBFZ%20Ex%20Naval%20Base%20Subic%20Bay/SBFZ%202016%20to%202019/ex%20Subic%20Naval%20Base%20Main%20Gate%20area%20July%202017?sort=9&page=1

In this forum presentation I only upload one image, so if you are a dedicated Subic friend or fan go to the album.

[Karl Welteke]

The Peak Hill behind Santa Monica in Subic Bay


I thought it would be interesting to upload these picture because we came across the WWII MCB #11 Camp in Subic Bay and we indentified the location.



It’s a prominent hill on the east side of Subic Bay, between the bay and that hill developed suburb development called Santa Monica. Many of us sailors have bought a house or have rented one in Sta. Monica. After the Mt. Pinatubo eruption it got flooded a few times. Some of us have climbed that steep hill and I did again 2017-04-19 and took these high resolution images. This hill is located in the Matain River Valley. So these pictures are of the Matain River Valley. I included at least one historical WWII image and an older one. On the map the hill has this name Mt. Boovillao.


I uploaded 37 images into this Flickr album in high resolution:


www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157688567548055


In this forum presentation only 6 images were uploaded and they are smaller than in the above album:







Za141. The Peak Hill behind Santa Monica in Subic Bay.

-01. This is an old post card from the photographer Kevin Hamdorf who happened to be a friend of mine. The card says Barretto but is more about my subject in this album, Mt. Boovillao and the Matain River Valley.






Za142. The Matain River Valley in Subic Bay.


-02. This Google Earth image is marked up with most of the geographic names mentioned in the album.







Za143. A section of an Olongapo 1:50000 map with the Matain River Valley

-03. This is a section of a 1:50000 map of this area and it backs up the names I use in this album.








Za144. Mobil Construction Battalion #11 (MCB-11) Camp in Subic Bay


-18. This is the WWII SeaBee Camp; this picture came from this popular web page: www.subicbaypi.com/






Za145. Calapacuan Valley at Subic Bay.

-17. This view is in the south by SW direction; below here was the WWII SeaBee Camp and the hills are the San Lorenzo Community. Compare these two pictures and you should agree that we have indentified the location of the WWII MCB #11 Camp in Subic Bay







Za146. Mobil Construction Battalion #11 (MCB-11) Camp in Subic Bay.

-19. This is the WWII SeaBee Camp; this picture came from this popular web page: www.mcb11.com/1942_45eralfiles/1945Tour.htm Compare the prevuious pictures and you should agree that we have indentified the location of the WWII MCB #11 Camp in Subic Bay

[chadhill]

Another amazing post, Karl! I especially enjoyed the "then-and-now" photos of the WW2 SeaBee camp area.

Your posts bring back lots of fond memories for Patty and I, and we are most thankful.

[Karl Welteke]

Bo. Barretto, Olongapo 2017 Random Photos with 1 WWII image

This is an album of random shots of mostly Barrio Barretto and Olongapo City but they tell a story about our life over here in the Philippines. I am starting with 20 photos, all are from 2017 and before the end of the year or shortly thereafter I might add more and newer images of 2017.
One special WWII image is included.

This album and presentation is just like tidbits of news items of what is going on the Subic Bay area.

In this forum presentation I only upload 2 images including the WWII image.





Za170. Barrio Barretto Beach 2017.

I shot this picture to compare it with a WWII picture that has become important to me. I am at the back of the Palm Tree Resort, the next place is Mangos, and most of you should remember that popular place with us Sailors. We are looking south along the Barretto Beach. I had a reason to shoot this picture which will become clear with the next picture.

Mangos Resort, it is now under Aussie management, it has more rooms and a dive center. Those coconut trees are the rear of the iCove Hotel. The owner is the Arlene Money Changer where most of us GIs go to change money. The Islander Girls and Little Wheel Bars used to stand there and we conducted our annual Beach Bash there.





Za171. Maquinaya Beach, a WWII picture from the Valley Center, a community in San Diego, who has this webpage about their veterans: veteranletters.blogs.com/valley_center_veterans/2005/01/william_davidso.html


- This picture is from the Valley Center, a community in San Diego, who has this webpage about their veterans: veteranletters.blogs.com/valley_center_veterans/2005/01/william_davidso.html
These are the officers of the vessel F.S.-182, in the service for the U.S Army in the Pacific during WWII. The web page says that they transported the bodies of the 139 American prisoners of war executed by the Japanese on December 14, 1944 at the Puerto Princesa POW camp to Subic Bay. That is important to me, to know, that those tragic US. Service men traveled thru the place I call home now. I will treasure this place even more now.

I believe this is a view of the Maquinaya Beach, which was the Navy Supply Depot in 1945 and maybe all the way to 1950. Maquinaya Beach is now Barrio (Barangay) Barretto. I came here to shoot that Kalaklan Ridge to compare it with this picture. But the WWII picture is not clear enough with that ridge line but I am convinced this is Maquinaya Beach, now a day’s called Barretto Beach.
This is the full text from the above web page:

In 1982 men and women who served in the Merchant Marine during war time were declared veterans. William Davidson served in the Pacific Theater during WWII and is qualified as a veteran of both WWI and WWII. Engineering Officer William Davidson is seated on the far right of the other officers of F.S.-182 at Subic Bay in the Philippines on August 22, 1946. The F.S.-182 was an Army supply ship in the Philippines during WWII.
The only voyage of the F.S.-182 in my records id from Puerto Princesa on Palawan to Subic Bay. The cargo included the bodies of the 139 American prisoners of war executed by the Japanese on December 1944


If you like to look at all 20 images, they are uploaded to this Flickr album: Bo. Barretto & Olongapo 2017 Random Images.
www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72157686472101683

[Karl Welteke]

Barrio Barretto November 2016

I walk a lot for exercise in Barrio Barretto, I live here. Sometime I take pictures and share them. These are random pictures of Barrio Barretto, a barangay in Olongapo City in November 2016. It was a US Military site, got returned to Philippine authority, about 1950 and is now an International tourist destination. This area was called Maquinaya in the past. While the Navy was here it was a favorite liberty place for senior Petty Officer (NCOs in the other services) like me. Most U.S. Veterans per capita may be living in this Barrio.


38 pictures were uploaded into this album:


s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Philippines/No%202%20Phil%20Events%20Group%20Albums/2016%20SB%20OC%20BB%20ZAM%20Album%20Group/Barretto%20Nov%202016?sort=9&page=1


In this forum presentation 6 images’ have been uploaded but they are smaller:






Za182. Suzuki Hotel, a new 2 storey wing.

-Barretto Beach in Subic Bay at Barrio Barretto, we are at the Suzuki Hotel, they expanded and built that 2 storey wing and next to that is another new hotel, the white one.





Za183. A Google Earth image of Barrio Barretto.

-A Google Earth image with Barrio Barretto, I marked it, so you know better, as to where all the images in this album were shot.





Za184. Samori Hotel and Geisha Lodge.

-The old budget Samori Hotel, it has a new name and management and the old Geisha Lodge. The Geisha Lodge must be one of the oldest businesses in Barretto; it existed when our Subic Naval Base was still operating.





Za185. New Barretto Hotel at Marmont Hotel site.

This shot is from the highway and an accident has occurred, a crane topped and fell onto this house. The lot with the toppled crane used to have a three storey hotel building the Marmont Hotel had built but was never allowed to open from the Olongapo City Gordon Government. I am making the album and edit it today, the 16th Sep. 2017. This new structure, I assume it will be a hotel, is now already 4 storey high and they were pouring a lot of cement today.






Za186. Maquinaya Bridge in Barretto

-The Maquinaya Bridge, over the Maquinaya River in Barretto in Olongapo City is being widened. This is the bayside of the bridge. Remember all what is Barretto now was called Maquinaya in the past and it was a Navy rifle range and supply depot.





Za187. Baloy Beach in Barrio Barretto.

-This is Baloy Beach in Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City, these boats are for hire to travel to other beaches in Subic Bay or just have a grand sightseeing trip of the bay of Subic Bay. Lots of International flags are flying today.

[Karl Welteke]

Barretto Oct 2016

Since I live in Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City and walk a lot, sometime I shoot random pictures of what I find interesting on my walks. This album is called Barretto Oct. 2016, but there are a images from late September and early November. Flooding from rain was a problem during this time.

It takes me that long to share pictures sometime, because I edit the pictures for quality and I write descriptions and that all takes time.


In the forum I present only eight sample pictures:





Za215. Landslide in Barretto.

-This landslide happened on the 30th of Sep. 2016, I was going to the ex Naval Base but turned around, I did not want to wait until the road was cleared; they did clear it fairly soon though.





Za216. Flooding in Barretto.

-This flooding happened on the 30th Sep. 2016 and is located just after you cross the bridge over the Maquinaya River in Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City. This is 1 of 2 images of the flooding.





Za217. Uwe’s ex Mayflower Bar in Barretto.

-Believe it or not, this was the location of the wooden old Mayflower Bar, it is torn down and the Germans took over. Actually an Israeli bought the place now from Uwe and he was not happy about the deal.





Za218. The famous Steve from the Harley Bar.

-The famous Steve from the Harley Sports Bar and Inn, I ended my walk here and had a beer. Many Europeans, Aussies and Kiwis like to hang out here.





Za219. By The Sea Hotel in Barretto.

-By The Sea Hotel in Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City is adding a big new wing.





Za220. Two cranes in Barretto.

-To the right of the By The Sea Hotel construction is another large hotel being built. We see two cranes here, one of them toppled next month. Here stood the Marmont Hotel extension which never opened and eventually got torn down.





Za221. iCove Hotel in Barretto.

-This wall is protecting the new iCove Hotel, here stood the Islander’s Bar and Little Wheel Bar, and both are part of history now. The owner is Arlene’s Money Changer in Olongapo, we Vets like to go there; we call him Ike. He was the owner of this property all along.





Za222. Maquinaya Bridge in Barretto.

-This is 1 of 2 images of the Maquinaya Bridge, Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City shot on the 5th Nov. 2016. The bridge and road widening is a longtime project in the Philippines carried out for years.
This whole valley, now the Barretto Village was called Maquinaya and was a Marine training area and shooting range for the Marines. In 1945 it became a Navy Supply Depot until about 1950.



If you like to go the album with 38 pictures, this is the URL:

s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Philippines/No%202%20Phil%20Events%20Group%20Albums/2016%20SB%20OC%20BB%20ZAM%20Album%20Group/Barretto%20Oct%202016?sort=9&page=1

[Karl Welteke]

USS John S. McCain in Subic on lift craft



Za350. USS John S. McCain on lift craft Oct. in Singapore 2017

The lift craft with the USS John S. McCain was in Subic almost a week. I seen the lift craft with the very red bow and stern on the 31st Oct. but could not make out that she had a ship on board, so I missed it.

Photo credit:
news.usni.org/2017/10/21/destroyer-mccain-developed-crack-in-hull-while-on-heavy-lift-transport-vessel-being-rerouted-to-philippines-for-inspection





Za351. USS John S. McCain in Subic on lift craft 27th Oct. 2017.

A friend alerted me and send me the below URL and the above picture came from that URL:

gcaptain.com/uss-john-s-mccain-develops-crack-during-lift-to-japan-usni-news/

This was the headline!
USS John S. McCain Rerouted to Philippines Due to Crack in Hull during Heavy Lift to Japan – Update with Photos

[Karl Welteke]

The USS John S. McCain is back in Subic Bay and must have problems.

On Tuesday, the 7th of Nov. 2017, as usual, I did my exercise walk and discovered the USS John S. McCain, on board a lift ship, is back in Subic Bay. She was here a few days ago and she had left, she is back now, there must be serious problem! I included some other views from this walk along the Barrio Barretto beaches.

This is the URL from Photobucket with 20 images and I also uploaded it to Facebook:

s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Philippines/No%202%20Phil%20Events%20Group%20Albums/2017%20SB%20OC%20BB%20ZAM/USS%20John%20S%20McCain%20in%20Subic%20Bay?sort=9&page=1

www.facebook.com/karlwilhelm.welteke/media_set?set=a.10212318636634741.1073741853.1643946293&type=3

In this forum presentation 9 images are presented:



Za352. USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) on the heavy lift transport MV Treasure in Subic Bay 2017-11-07

USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) on the heavy lift transport MV Treasure has returned to Subic Bay; picture was shot on 2017-11-07.
USS John S. McCain had a collision on Aug. 21 with a merchant vessel.
USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) developed a 4-inch crack in its hull while being transported via heavy lift vessel and was rerouted to the Philippines.
See the links in the previous entry in this thread.
USS McCain back in Subic Bay, picture was shot today 7th Nov. 2017. Sunday, the 4th Nov. 2017 I looked for it and I did not see it anywhere. Today I did my exercise walk and saw her. They must have or there must be a problem! That is Grande Island at right.




Za353. USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) on the heavy lift transport MV Treasure in Subic Bay 2017-11-07

USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) on the heavy lift transport MV Treasure has returned to Subic Bay; picture was shot on 2017-11-07.
In this picture left is an ore transfer ship. Iron ore is shipped here from Brazil and trans-loaded to smaller ships to reach shallow harbors in Red China. Right is the USS John S. McCain (DDG 56).
Two other MCS ships are in back, they often come to Subic, and one may be an Ammo Ship.




Za354. Baloy Long Beach which belongs to Barrio Barretto.

The Baloy Long Beach which belongs to Barrio Barretto. The rainy season must be over; two floating bars are anchored again! A Subic Bay view, the 7th of Nov. 2017.




Za355. Baloy Long Beach with visitors.

The Baloy Long Beach which belongs to Barrio Barretto. The rainy season must be over; a visiting party from Pampanga on this Tuesday! A Subic Bay view, the 7th of Nov. 2017.





Za356. Ex Port Dizon and Matain River Mouth

This is the end of the Baloy Long Beach which belongs to Barrio Barretto. This is the mouth of the Matain River. That concrete structure carried a conveyor belt to load ships with copper and gold ore from the Dizon Mine. A Subic Bay view, the 7th of Nov. 2017. The mine shut down in the great 1996 rains, slides buried the dewatering facilities of the open pit mine.



Za357. High Rise in Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City.

Subic Bay view, the 7th of Nov. 2017; it a busy Subic Bay again! Barrio Barretto is getting a High Rise. That is the location where the former Marmont Hotel built a 3 storey hotel but was not allowed to open it, because it was too high.



Za358. The Barrio Barretto Beach, marked up image.

The Barrio Barretto Beach view from Baloy Long Beach; Subic Bay view, the 7th of Nov. 2017. An unmarked copy of this image is the albums.



Za359. Baloy Beach, Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City.

We all knew that the Baloy Long Beach belongs to the Baloy family I guess it went thru the court to confirm that. This is the rear entrance of the beach, when crossing the Matain River. A Subic Bay view, the 7th of Nov. 2017. It was a very low tide today.



Za360. The mouth of the Matain River

The mouth of the Matain River which is the boundary of Baloy Beach (Barrio Barretto –Olongapo City) and the Subic Municipality and on that side is Matain Village. Those are ferry boats, 3 peso a head. It was a very low tide today.