SEA TRIALS – TESTING THE BOAT AND THE CREW

SEA TRIALS – TESTING THE BOAT AND THE CREW Out of the vast cauldron of experiences related to being a Submariner, memories of one experience on submarines normally dominates above all the rest for someone who was a Plankowner of a sub. Sea Trials I have a lot of memories of the sea trials on […]

If only there was a way to skip April 27

I dread this day. April 27th. Yet no matter how much I hate the day, it comes back again. I guess I should be happy that I am alive and in better health this year than many others. I just know that I will wake up again tomorrow and miss you. We had such a […]

Not a single moment of your lives…

I was privileged today to be the keynote speaker for the opening of a Sea, Air and Land Challenge at a nearby High School. The invitation stated: The Sea Air and Land Challenge is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative for high schools students. Supported by the Office of Naval Research and administered […]

Some people will do anything to avoid the draft – April 24, 1972

There is a special hearing today being held by the National Commission on Military, National and Public service regarding the Selective Service. From their web site: The Commission seeks to learn more about why people serve and why people may choose not to serve, as well as ways to increase the number of Americans in […]

“Ocean in view! Oh Joy!” USS LEWIS AND CLARK (SSBN 644)

I can almost hear the conversation on that morning when President Thomas Jefferson called Merriweather Lewis into his office and explained to him what he needed done. “I need you to make your way from St. Louis to Oregon in the shortest possible time and distance.” “What’s an “Oregon”, Thomas?” “I’m not sure but I […]

The Blue and the Gold – Sixty Years of Sharing the Sea

The Blue and the Gold As I sit here writing the 41 for Freedom story for tonight, it is Easter Weekend. 45 years ago, the USS George Washington Gold Crew had taken over the boat from the Blue crew in Guam and I was enjoying my first taste of freedom in months. That first patrol […]

The greatest joy, the deepest sorrow – Remembering the Thresher

The greatest joy, the deepest sorrow. As we approach the anniversary of the loss of the USS Thresher, I am once again reminded that the world of Submariners and their families are consumed with the greatest of joys and the deepest sorrows. The joy comes when a boat has completed her mission and returns safely […]

“The Happiest Among Mortals” – USS Daniel Boone SSBN 629

Did you have a hero growing up? I had quite a few but one of my favorites was certainly Daniel Boone. Living in Western Pennsylvania, we still had a lot of “woods” near where I lived and as kids we would spend a lot of time hiking and exploring. This was in the days before […]

41 for Freedom Classes

I get notes from people on a regular basis helping me to understand the various “classes” within the group of submarines called the 41 for Freedom boats. Since I have been spending a lot of time lately researching the boats, I thought I would add some findings. First, I do appreciate the feedback and certainly […]

USS Hunley AS 31 – “We Serve to Preserve Peace.”

USS Hunley AS 31 – “We Serve to Preserve Peace.” No story about the Cold War submarine efforts would be complete without the recognition of the work done by the Submarine Tenders (AS). The very first tender designed and built from the keel up to service the Polaris fleet was the USS Hunley. Hunley was […]