sentences:  The gunboats scouted the Japanese column, then pulled ahead to report the naval activity to Washington, while the "Finch" and "Heron" stayed behind, eventually being left by the Japanese as well.The two vessels returned to Manila Bay on 6 December 1941.As the Japanese began aerial bombardment of bases in the Philippines, the "Finch" continued her task of sweeping for mines to keep the channel into the harbor open for incoming shipping.