You’re a Nuclear Submariner? How did you get such a cool job? (1963)

By January 1963, the United States Navy submarine force was growing at an amazing pace. The Soviet launching of Sputnik had sparked a fire in the Defense Department and the government as a whole to find ways to counter the perceived threats of an unbridled Soviet Union. The answer of course was to capitalize on […]

Have you driven a Ford (submarine) lately? (Probably not and there’s a good reason for it)

1915 – The world at war In September of 1915, the war in Europe was over a year old. The combatants had long ago determined that the war was not going to be brought to a quick conclusion. The British Fleet successfully blockaded Germany and her allies while the German U-Boat war was fully implemented […]

There are no GBF pins to be found anywhere (but I could be wrong)

DBF – but not for you sailor I was a sailor on board five nuclear powered submarines. Like many young men of my day, I had asked for an assignment to a diesel boat out of Key West Florida (or at least San Diego) but the Navy needed my skills (and those of most of […]

‘Here take us; you have won the game only too brilliantly.’ German Naval Surrender November 20, 1918

The day the German High Seas fleet was surrendered – November 20, 1918 From the diary of a German Naval Officer “Monday, Nov. 19 – The undefeated German fleet is going out to meet the enemy who anxiously avoided it for four years and says to him, ‘ Here take us; you have won the […]

1899 – 1900 The Epidemic of Submarines

1899 – 1900 The Epidemic of Submarines Chief, Bureau of Construction and Repair, Commodore Philip Hichborn – July 1893-March 1899, Rear Admiral Philip Hichborn – March 1899-March 1901 If you have never heard of Admiral Hichborn, don’t be too surprised. He had a long and glorious career but has faded into obscurity over the last […]

Tigers of the Sea – Nerves of Iron and Steel

I’ve heard submarines called many things in my life but this was the first time I have ever heard the term “Tigers of the Sea”. It’s been over a hundred years since “THE MARVEL BOOK OF AMERICAN SHIPS”, by Captain Orton P. Jackson, U.S.N., and Major Frank E. Evans, U.S.M.C. was published. The term is […]

Winning the Dollar Bet – Every Submariner Understood What Losing Meant

Buried Treasure One of the great things about researching old books and documents is finding the odd story buried in one of them. Taken by itself, the fact or story would not mean much but pulled out and given perspective, it gives an insightful vision to something that happened along the way that would have […]

By God’s Help and Teamwork – The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal November 1942

Thanksgiving Weekend 1942 – Washington DC The headlines on the front page of the Washington Evening Star on November 28th, 1942 were focused on the recent events in the Battle of Tunis in Northern Africa. Thanksgiving was just completed and the Navy football Team was lauded for a surprise win over Army in the annual […]

The unluckiest day – Friday the 13th 1942

Sailors by and large are a very superstitious lot. The things that set a sailing man or woman on edge are as ancient as the sea itself. I am not sure if it is the dangers they know they will face once they are divorced from the shore or just a strong feeling that fate […]

What’s it like to live on a submarine?

Arguably one of the most asked questions most Submariners hear once they reveal their sordid past: What’s it like living on a submarine? Every generation probably has their own version of life on board. A Diesel Boat sailor would certainly have a very detailed description of what is was like to never be able to […]