The Other Nautilus and Simon Lake’s Dream of Under Ice Travel

Blue Nose In my time on board submarines, I traveled many places around the world. But traveling under the ice to the North Pole remains one of my most elusive goals. The sheer adventure of the trip appeals to me as a submariner and I am indeed envious of anyone who has safely navigated through […]

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 […]

USS Daniel Webster SSBN 626 – Old Funny Fins

The years leading up to the Civil War are filled with stories about men who tried their best to protect what was euphemistically called state’s rights and those who were bound and determined to end the scourge of slavery. Daniel Webster was one of those who was committed to ending the practice once and for […]

Welcome aboard the USS Henry Clay SSBN 625

As visitors and riders come on board a submarine, they are normally herded to a safe place where they will be able to rest while the sailors and officers prepare the ship for underway and a dive below the surface. This visit is rare and has been one of the best ways for the Navy […]

USS Henry Clay SSBN 625 – The Great Compromiser

“I implore, as the best blessing which Heaven can bestow upon me upon earth, that if the direful and sad event of the dissolution of the Union shall happen, I may not survive to behold the sad and heart-rending spectacle. Quote from “On the Compromise Resolutions,” speech before the U.S. Senate, February 5 and 6, […]

USS Sam Houston SSBN 609 – The Runaway Raven

Did you ever get so mad as a kid that you ran away from home? Not counting the Navy of course. I would suspect that there are more than a few of my readers that were looking for a way out of something when they signed up to become part of the Navy. No, I […]

USS James K. Polk SSBN 645 Special Edition

This post is a special edition post to accompany the 41 for Freedom Series Post of the USS James K Polk SSBN 645 published on June 2, 2019

Polaris A3 Deploys in Atlantic and Pacific (ALL HANDS 1965)

I have to be honest and admit that I never looked inside the missile tubes on either of my FBM submarines. I know there was something inside all of the tubes because of the great deal of work required to keep them ready for use if the President called on us. But as an A-Ganger, […]

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 […]