The "Rat Patrol" and VC sappers in the Saigon Port Complex

The following information and pictures were provided by Wayne Ferguson

Picture I - The Newport Bridge with a section blown out of it, not sure exactly how it happened, we were told the it was hit by a rocket during an attack on a storage area near by. This happened around March 1968.

Picture 2 - Smoke rising over Saigon during the TET offensive. This picture was made during the early days of the TET offensive , when things were still very chaotic. We had just got word that a company size force of VC were headed up river toward Saigon. We were told to stop them. I made this picture as we were headed out of Saigon Port. I guess we were lucky that day as we never made contact with this enemy force, either they were already gone or the report was false. Picture taken the first week of February 1968.

Picture 3 - The ship is the Seatrain Texas. In late February 1968 around midnight the Seatrain Texas was mined near Nha Be about 5 miles south of Saigon. The VC were constantly attacking shipping in these areas in hopes of sinking a big ship in the channel and thus preventing cargo from reaching the Saigon Port area. Though they used a mine here, their favorite weapon against shipping was the RPG. Many ships came into Saigon Port with holes in the wheel house from these and other weapons. See the related page on water mines used by the VC in this area

Picture 4 - This is the damage to the Seatrain Texas and the repair work under way. Pictures made February 1968.

Picture 5 - A mortar attack at Nha Be. Nha Be was a main fuel depot. I have been there several times when it was mortared. It usually took place at night. This was a daytime attack, and allowed me to get a picture of it. Picture made around April 1968.

Picture 6 - This is the back of my boat the J-3796. We were cleaning weapons and checking ammo. Picture made early January 1968.