Lost Boats – An occupational hazard in 1920

Lord, your sea is so great and my boat is so small A hundred years ago, the relatively young US Navy Submarine service was still experiencing a lot of growing pains. Technology had already evolved enough to provide a better means of propulsion (diesel engines) and recent upgrades in battery technology were certainly great […]

USS Pittsburgh SSN 720 Closing Remarks from Admiral Douglas Perry

As part of the chronicling of the activities related to the Inactivation of the USS Pittsburgh, I reached out to the major participants of the event. This is the last installment and contains remarks made by the guest speaker RDML Doug Perry, Commander Submarine Group Nine. The Admiral was kind to have the reception in […]

The Heart of Freedom

The Heart of Freedom It’s interesting to see the young people of today flocking to a man who is a professed socialist. Bernie no longer even makes a pretext of someone who embraces traditional American values. He continues to point out the difference between the “classes” and the “masses” which are all code words used […]

Fast Attack Submarines in 1958 – Refining the Concept

In 1958, the race to build better and faster submarines had already been underway for a few years. Admiral Rickover had previously stated that the Nautilus design was only the beginning of the evolution. By 1958, the world of underwater warfare was rapidly taking shape IMPORTANCE OF NUCLEAR PROPULSION – 1958 ALL HANDS MAGAZINE Nuclear […]

Ship’s Sponsor Remarks – USS Pittsburgh SSN 720 Inactivation January 17, 2020

The following information comes from the Naval Heritage and Historic command concerning ship naming convention and ship’s sponsor assignment: As with many other things, the procedures and practices involved in Navy ship naming are as much, if not more, products of evolution and tradition than of legislation. The Secretary can rely on many sources […]

USS Pittsburgh SSN 720 Inactivation Program from January 17, 2020

It was an honor to help with the day. For those who were not able to make it, here is the Booklet that was distributed Mister Mac

The Heart of Steel will live Forever

A Time for Everything There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time […]

USS Pittsburgh SSN 720 Commanding Officer’s Remarks January 17, 2020

For those that follow the blog, you know that I have only had a few people contribute stories for publication. That is not intentional, its just rare that I have been moved to do so. On Friday, January 17th 2020, the USS Pittsburgh Captain and crew hosted an inactivation ceremony at the Keyport Washington U.S. […]

First call, first call to colors

Yesterday was a really good day. I was proud to have represented the Pittsburgh Council of the Navy League at the inactivation ceremony for the USS Pittsburgh. Tomorrow’s post will contain the speech Captain Jason Deichler made to commemorate the day. This morning, I woke up to my phone ringing. My First Mate was calling […]

We’ll say farewell but not goodbye

The day has finally arrived. This morning, the Captain and remaining crew will gather with their families and friends and say farewell to the submarine that has been their home and our defender for over 35 years. The USS Pittsburgh will officially begin her inactivation period which will lead to the last act of any […]