"We heard a whooshing sound and I realized our ship had hit a mine that was moored," Bob said. Now a lawyer, he was then serving as a radioman second class. "I went below to check the radio shack to make sure all of the guys were out. When I got topside the ship had sunk so rapidly I just stepped off the deck into the water. It sank in just 15 minutes."

Five other men who had served on the Minivet traveled from around the country with their wives to stay at Del Lago Resort for a reunion, and they made the Feldman's home their head- quarters.

Sixty men survived the icy waters and were rescued; 31 perished in the disaster. Bob managed to swim through the frigid waters and hold onto a raft until he was rescued, and the others had similar experiences.,

Thirty-two of the survivors have been accounted for and they have reunions each year. Since they shared this common experience 55 years ago, it is understandable that many have passed away and others are not able to travel.

The Feldmans kicked off the reunion with a Texas barbecue at their home. They planned several days of activities in and round the area. The visitors were taken in minivans to NASA, took a cruise on the Southern Empress, visited Washington-on-the-Brazos, an antique rose farm in Independence and the Bluebell Creamery in Brenham. The final evening of the reunion they got together for a dinner at April Sound Country Club.

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