The life of a boat… from the crash to the splash to the dash

A boat’s life First comes the crash followed (hopefully) by the splash The keel was laid what seems like years ago. Bit by bit the submarine starts to come together. The process has evolved over the generations to include changes in all kinds of technology. The boats needed to go deeper and faster so better […]

After the parades are over…

The Day After Veteran’s Day Proud… standing straight and erect with shoulders held back and eyes focused forward with a steel and resiliency that is unquestionable. Months of practice have made sure that even a sudden noise won’t change that. Crisp uniforms, flawless creases, perfect lines and hands glued in place at their sides. Chiseled […]

Elections… the good, the bad and the ugly

This will be my last pre-election post. Its been a fun and interesting (and slightly stressful) nine months. Tomorrow the public will decide. The amazing thing is this: there will be an election. People will have a chance to influence the way their communities are run. What passes for democracy will be on display all […]

Where is Mister Mac? (Give Bob the Job)

Disclaimer: This post has been approved by the Candidate Good morning to all of you who regularly follow the blog. Its October 25th, the World Series is in progress and we are getting ready for winter in Western Pennsylvania. I completed the series on the 41 for Freedom boats last week and decided to focus […]

Eyewitness to history: Who was Elton C. Fay?

Eyewitness to history: Who was Elton C. Fay? Elton C. Fay, was an Associated Press reporter who covered the Pentagon from the days of World War II to the Vietnam War. His death was recorded in a common obituary and stated that he died at his Silver Spring, Md., home after a long illness. He […]

In the beginning, there was darkness. Then Captain Rickover showed up

Having served on board five nuclear submarines and having grown up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, there has never been a moment of my life that nuclear power wasn’t a fact of life. Since returning to the area after my second career, there are many occasions where I run into people who either worked for […]

USS George Washington Carver SSBN 656 Strength Through Knowledge

“Events of October 1962 indicated, as they had all through history, that control of the sea means security. Control of the seas can mean peace. Control of the seas can mean victory. The United States must control the seas if it is to protect your security…” President John F. Kennedy, 6 June 1963, on […]

1954 – The year underwater warfare changed forever

1954 – The year underwater warfare changed forever. This post was originally posted in July of 2019. Since 2020 is the year of the Fast Attack on theleansubmariner, I thought it appropriate to repost it with some updates. After all, it was the Nautilus of Jules Verne’s imagination that started the whole process. And it […]

The Long Way Home

The Long Way Home This is a clipping from a ship’s newspaper (USS Von Steuben) that was dated June 23rd, 1919. The clipping described some of the details of the AEF being shipped home. This year is also the 100 year anniversary of the American Legion founding and both events are tied together. Over a […]

Why it mattered – Voices from the edge of the Abyss (June 1969)

Why it mattered – Voices from the edge of the Abyss (June 1969) Looking back over the years we called the Cold War, the danger and consequences are easier to see now than during the time they were occurring. During much of the period, there were so many changes and movements that pulled our attention […]