Puget Soundings Bremerton-Base Submarine Veteran’s Quarterly Newsletter By Submariners—For Submariners and Friends Vol. 19 Issue 1 Bremerton Base, PO Box 465, Silverdale, WA 98383-0465 Jan—Mar 2015 USSVI Purpose and Creed To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and it’s Constitution. That's our CREED, but it's not who we are. We are United States Submarine Sailors! We were, and are, members of the elite fighting force of the United States Navy. We are all QUALIFIED IN SUBMARINES. Included are submariners from the very early boats: S, R or earlier; WWII boats; post-war GUPPY boats and FBM and Fast Attack Submariners. All Qualified in Submarines from E2 to 4 Stars. Retired, short timer, or active duty - it makes no difference. If you are Qualified in Submarines we want you in United States Submarine Veterans. Inc. Point your browser to http://gertrude-check.org/archives.html for a color copy with more definition than this printed black and white copy! INSIDE THIS ISSUE Pg. 1 USSVI Purpose and Creed Pg. 7 USS Bonefish (SS 223) Pg. 13 When You Understand Pg. 2 Officers and Committee Members Pg. 8 A Gift to KRL Pg. 13 Tolling of the Boats Pg. 3 Base Boosters Pg. 9 Ensign Joe Hanisko Pg. 14 Commercial Advertisers Pg. 3 From the Editor Pg. 9 Dolphin Dash Pg. 15 Scholarship Application Pg. 3 Veteran Resources Pg. 10 February General Membership Meeting Pp. 15 Treasurer's Report/Base Membership Pg. 3 Stay in the Loop Pg. 11 February E-Board Minutes Pp. 15 Base Calendar Pg. 4 2015 National Convention Pg. 11 Blogs and Others Pg. 16 Soup Down Schedule Pg. 5 USS Bonefish (SS 223) Pg. 12 January Base Minutes Pg. 16 Advertiser Rates Pg. 6 USS Bonefish (SS 223) Pg. 12 Facebook Digital Edition Follows Please Pass This Issue to Another Submariner Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee Commander Jim DeMott 360-895-0547 [email protected] Holland Club Chairman Dick Litscher 360-373-1838 [email protected] stephenjcorcoran@ gmail.com Bonefish Manager NWCPOA Rep Sam Swenson 360-275-3638 sswenson@ tscnet.com Past Commander David Niemy 360-692-5122 Fireworks Chairman Mike Friend 360-308-0594 [email protected] [email protected] Chief of the Boat Wayne Peterson 360-265-0266 Scholarship Chairman John Gardner 360-692-8994 [email protected] Jgardner@ donobi.com Secretary Wayne Sieckowski 360-362-2064 Base Webmaster Don “Red” Bassler 360-602-0250 wsieckowski@gmail,com [email protected] Treasurer Membership Chairman Dennis Nardone 360-830-5843 FaceBook Dale McVey 360-981-1167 [email protected] [email protected] Chaplain Fred Borgmann 360-337-2978 Historian Bob Paul 360-692-0165 [email protected] [email protected] Storekeeper Ralph W. Harris 360-876-0830 Western District 4 Commander Al Durkee 360-569-0507 [email protected] durkeeal@ earthlink.net http://gertrude-check.org/baseofficials.html 2 USS Virginia (SSN 774) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Virginia_(SSN-774) OFFICERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS Vice Commander Steve Corcoran 360-471-2704 Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter Bremerton Base Boosters — 2015 Rig for Dive Periscope Depth Battle Stations Deep Submergence $1 - $19.99 $20.00 - $29.99 $30.00 - $49.99 $50.00 - $99.00 Unit Citation $100.00 + Go to page 8 to continue http://gertrude-check.org/boosters.htm From the Editor Volume 19 Issue 2 (Apr-May-Jun 2015) will be published in May 2015 to coincide with other publications—the due date for input is Apr 30, 2015. Throwback to the Bonefish—worth another read Header Humor provided by Hank Hollis Read about Virginia Class submarines in the footers Soup Down Photos and Ever A Submariner in the Digital Edition Dave Pittman [email protected] Veteran Resources—Washington (MAD) Kitsap 28 Mar 360-692-6800 Vets Stand Down - Forks 07 May 360-417-2383\640-0296\302-1285 (RAD) @JB Lewis-McChord 15 May 253-966-5881\5884\982-3214 Vets Resource Fair - Tacoma 30 May 253-569-3879\206-802-5578 Vets Stand Down - Port Townsend 27 July 360-417-2383\640-0296\302-1285 Vets Stand Down - Port Angeles 01 Oct 360-417-2383\640-0296\302-1285 Stay in the Loop The Gertrude Check (Bremerton Base website) - current information on base activities, members, online news, and calendar http://gertrude-check.org/ Bremerton Base Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bremerton-Base-USSVI/295687423906027 USSVI website https://www.ussvi.org/home.asp 3 USS Texas (SSN 775) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Texas_(SSN-775) Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible place in the universe. http://www.ussviconventionsteelcity2015.org/ John D. “Bud” Hawk Post 109 Silverdale, WA https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost109SilverdaleWa Monthly meeting—7:00 pm on the 3rd Monday of each month at All Star Lanes in Silverdale. Questions? Send an email to [email protected] 4 USS Hawaii (SSN 776) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Hawaii_(SSN-776) Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter USS Bonefish (SS-223) The name, USS Bonefish (SS-223), the 51st of 52 submarines lost in World War II was assigned to Washington State by the United States Submarine Veterans of WWII. (Each state was assigned a lost submarine name, except California and New York, who were assigned two each.) Bonefish was lost with all hands (85) on June 18, 1945 Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 25 June 1942, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 7 March 1943; Commissioned USS Bonefish (SS-223), 31 May 1943; Final Disposition, sunk on 8th patrol by Japanese warship in Toyama Wan, west coast of Honshu, 18 June 1945, all hands lost.; Struck from the Naval Register, (date unknown). Bonefish received five Navy Unit Commendations and seven battle stars during World War II. Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted; Operating Depth, 300 ft; Submerged Endurance, 48 hrs at 2 kts; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 deck gun, two .50 cal. machine guns, two .30 cal. machine guns; Propulsion, diesel electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator engines, HP 5400, Fuel Capacity, 97,140 gals., four General Electric main motors, HP 2740, two 126-cell main storage batteries, twin propellers. 5 USS North Carolina (SSN 777) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_North_Carolina_(SSN-777) Law of Probability -The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act. USS Bonefish (SS-223) First patrol, September – October 1943 On 25 September, Bonefish scored three hits on a freighter.Bonefish. On 27 September fired four torpedoes at the lead ship, the largest of the five, and sank the 9,908-ton transport Kashima Maru. On 6 October, the boat approached a third convoy and scored hits on two heavily laden cargo vessels. On 10 October, in her last action of the patrol, Bonefish fired a spread of four torpedoes at two ships of a convoy off Indochina, sending both the 4,212-ton cargo ship Isuzugawa and the 10,086-ton transport Teibi Maru to the bottom. Bonefish concluded her first war patrol back at Fremantle, Western Australia on 21 October. Second patrol, November – December 1943 On 29 November Bonefish intercepted two enemy ships and fired four torpedoes. Two of the four, one hit amidships and another struck the freighter under her mainmast sent the 4,646-ton cargoship Suez Maru down rapidly by the stern. Unknown to Bonefish, Suez Maru was carrying 546 British POWs. Minesweeper W.12 picked up the survivors. On 1 December, the Bonefish sighted a convoy of three ships with two escorts hugging the Celebes coast. In two separate attacks, the submarine scored a hit on a large passenger-cargo ship Nichiryo Maru which later sank and another on a destroyer escort which apparently survived.. On 11 December, she surfaced to engage small cargo vessel Toyohime Maru with gunfire, scoring several hits before a mechanical problem put her gun out of action. Third patrol, January – March 1944 On 22 January, Bonefish encountered a large sailing vessel. The stranger's crew of seven acted suspiciously as the submarine approached; and, despite repeated orders to do so, the crew refused to abandon ship. However, when Bonefish opened fire with her machine guns, the natives leaped overboard. As the vessel began to sink, Japanese troops emerged from below decks; and Bonefish counted 39 men going over the side. On 6 February, the submarine sighted a convoy composed of at least 17 ships. Bonefish selected a large oiler as her primary target and launched four bow "fish" at it, and her crew heard explosions which they interpreted as at least two hits on the oiler and one on the cargo ship. Nevertheless, it seems that neither target sank. Fourth patrol, April – May 1944 On the 26th, Bonefish intercepted a convoy of four shipsand attack the Tokiwa Maru, sinking her with four torpedoes. Bonefish attacked a convoy in those waters on 7 May, firing four torpedoes at an escort vessel, but could not observe the results. On 14 May, Bonefish approached a convoy which was steaming off Tawitawi in the Philippines and headed for Sibutu Passage. There were three tankers and three escorting destroyers in the group. She fired five torpedoes. One hit under the bridge of a tanker and another struck under the stack, enveloping the ship in smoke and flames. The destroyers converged on Bonefish for counterattack, but she escaped into the depths. Postwar records show that, while her torpedoes only damaged the tanker, they sank one of the escorting destroyers, Inazuma. 6 USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Hampshire_(SSN-778) Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter USS Bonefish (SS-223) Fifth patrol, June – August 1944 On 6 July, she surfaced to destroy a wooden-hulled schooner by gunfire. She then cleared the area and, the next day, engaged and destroyed another small ship with gunfire. Later that same day, the boat fired eight torpedoes at a small cargo ship, scoring several hits. On 8 July, she used her guns to touch off a blazing fire in a small, interisland steamer and, two days later, sank a sampan with gunfire. On 29 July, Bonefish commenced tracking a large, but empty, tanker with escorts and, early the next morning, gained a favorable attack position. She fired six torpedoes and scored four hits. The target, Kokuyo Maru, immediately settled by the stern, Sixth patrol, September – October 1944 The Bonefish got underway on 5 September for the Sibuyan Sea. After three days there without encountering any enemy ships, she departed those waters on 24 September. Four days later, while patrolling off Mindoro, the submarine sighted a large, heavily laden tanker escorted by two destroyers. She fired all of her bow torpedoes and heard and felt the hits on the 2,068-ton Japanese ship Anjo Maru. Bonefish tracked the target whose rapidly falling speed indicated her distress until the crippled tanker's escorts forced the boat to retire. A postwar examination of Japanese records confirmed that Anio Maru sank later that day. On 13 October while en route to a lifeguard station, she sank cargo ship Fushimi Maru. On 18 October, the submarine rescued two naval aviators. Seventh patrol, March – May 1945 While on lifeguard duty off Korea's southern coast on 16 April, Bonefish rescued two Japanese aviators who had been shot down by a Navy plane. On 7 May, the submarine returned to Apra Harbor, Guam, ending a short and unsuccessful patrol. Eighth patrol, May – June 1945 The Bonefish got underway in company with Tunny (SS-282) and Skate (SS-305), she successfully threaded her way through the minefields by Tsushima Island as she transited the Korea Strait to enter the Sea of Japan for an offensive patrol off the west central coast of Honshū. During a rendezvous with Tunny on 16 June, Bonefish reported sinking Oshikayama Maru, a 6,892ton cargo ship. In a second rendezvous on 18 June, she requested and received permission to conduct a daylight submerged patrol of Toyama Wan, a bay farther up the Honshū coast. The attack group was to depart the Sea of Japan via La Perouse Strait on the night of 24 June. Bonefish did not make the scheduled pre-transit rendezvous. Still, Tunny waited in vain off Hokkaidō until the 27th. On 30 July, Bonefish was presumed lost. Japanese records reveal that the 5,488-ton cargo ship Konzan Maru was torpedoed and sunk in Toyama Wan on 19 June and that an ensuing severe counterattack by Japanese escorts, the Okinawa, CD -63, CD-75, CD-158 and CD-207, brought debris and a major oil slick to the water's surface. There can be little doubt that Bonefish was sunk in this action. 7 USS New Mexico (SSN 779) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Mexico_(SSN-779) Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal; someone always answers. Press Release | United States Submarine Veterans’ Bremerton Base | January 28, 2015 US Submarine Men Lost During WWII, 6 Volume Set Gifted to Kitsap Regional Library (KRL) By Don Bassler | Jan 27, 2015 Bremerton Submarine Veterans presented a six volume set of US Submarine Men Lost During WWII to KRL, Downtown Bremerton Branch Manager. L-R: Subvets Wayne Sieckowski, Don BREMERTON – The United States Submarine Veterans’ Bremerton Base gifted a six volume set of the” UNITED STATES SUBMARINE MEN LOST DURING WORLD WAR II, Edition 5” to the Kitsap Regional Library (KRL). The set will reside in the Downtown Bremerton Branch for use in-house research. KRL information maybe acquired at www.krl.org. All the submarine men who died during WWII have been researched and their records recorded in this six volume publication. This gift echoes the submarine veterans’ purpose “To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country.” Bremerton Subvet information may be viewed at http://gertrude-check.org/ . 8 USS Missouri (SSN 780) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Missouri_(SSN-780) Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter Ensign Joe Hanisko Dolphin Dash Repair Officer USS Chancellorsville CG-62 Submariner Joe to surface in Yokosuka! This is A Captain's Cup Event 5KAND 10K RUNS, 1 MILERUN/WALK Saturday, April 11, 2015 Naval Base Kitsap Bangor Cost and Registration—Prior to April 9th $15.00 donation, no shirt. $40.00 Immediate Family entries received together. (no shirts) Cost and Registration—April 9th & later $18.00 each donation, no shirt Shirts are long sleeve unique Submarine design. Cost $10.00 Shirts not guaranteed for race-day registrations. Joe Hanisko, pictured with his sister, graduated from OCS on February 27th and was commissioned as an Ensign. Joe is currently in San Diego where he will undergo 2 months of Basic Division Officer training before reporting to USS Chancellorsville CG-62 as the Repair Officer. This summer the ship will change homeport to Yokosuka, Japan. 9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Registration and number pickup in Bldg. 2700 (the gym). 10:00A.M. 5K starts at 1000 in front of gym 1 Mile and 10K start 5 minutes after 5K Pre-registration required by April S'" for 10K course is hilly 5K course is moderately hilly Proceeds benefit the Bremerton Base, Submarine Veterans Scholarship Program. Registration Form http://gertrude-check.org/ddashreg.pdf https://www.ussvi.org/AS_Past_2015.asp 9 USS California (SSN 781) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_California_(SSN-781) Law of the Bath -When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone will ring. February General Membership Meeting and Breakfast with Rick Anderson, from Amazement Productions. In the twenty-five plus years Rick has been in the Puget Sound area, he has developed a reputation as one of the finest magical entertainers in the area. In a regional competition he took home the crown as the Pacific Coast Comedy Magic Champion. He has entertained at events for Fort Lewis Army Base, McChord Air Force Base, Dunes Hotel Las Vegas, Microsoft, Sheraton Hotels, M&M Mars Corp, and the City of Tacoma, among others. 10 USS Mississippi (SSN 782) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mississippi_(SSN-782) Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter Minutes of the Bremerton Base USSVI E-Board Meeting conducted 7 February 2014 0900 Base Commander Jim DeMott called the meeting to order Board Members present: Base Commander Jim DeMott Base Vice Cmdr. Steve Corcoran Base Secretary Wayne Sieckowski Base Treasurer Dennis Nardone Past Base Commander Dave Niemy Others attending the meeting included Scholarship and Parade Chairman John Gardner, Float Chairman Sam Swenson, Base Storekeeper Ralph Harris, Deterrent Park and Gertrude Check Chairperson Don Bassler The minutes of the previous E-Board meeting were discussed and approved as written. also has 17 dink members who still owe dues and will be dropped from the membership at the end of the month. Float Chairman Sam Swenson has not heard from the CPOA on the Float repairs. If he doesn’t hear from the CPOA he will start doing the needed repairs. Base Storekeeper reports he has $7,948.00 in inventory and $103.00 cash on hand and checking account balance $1,287.14. They made $195.00 at TTF. John Gardner reports the Dolphin Dash will be April 11. He will check with the Navy League to find out their plans for the USS Bremerton’s visit. Vice Cmdr. Steve Corcoran reminded everyone about the upcoming breakfast meeting on Feb 21 2015 at the American Legion on Kitsap Way. He is always in need of speakers for the Membership Meetings. Rick Anderson a Magical Comedian will be the guest speaker at the breakfast meeting. Base Cmdr. Jim DeMott made a motion to place a ¼ page ad in the National Convention Magazine. The motion was approved. Dennis will scan and take care of the ad. Meeting was adjourned at 1000. Base Treasurer Dennis Nardone reports the Base’s worth as of Wayne Sieckowski 31 January 2015 is $75,774.50. Current Base Membership is Base Secretary 283. Dennis reported he has renewed the non-profit forms. He Blogs and Others The Lean Submriner http://theleansubmariner.com/ Seattle USSVI Base http://seattlebase.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-october-dolphin-brotherhood.html Dan the Navy Man http://danthenavyman.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-comes-around-goes-around.html The Old Coot http://theoldcoot.blogspot.com/ Cold is the Sea http://coldisthesea.blogspot.com/ Duffel blog http://www.duffelblog.com/ Lest We Forget https://athabaskang07.wordpress.com/ TenderTale http://www.tendertale.com/ Submariners World http://submarinersworld.blogspot.com/ SubmarinersWorldTV https://www.youtube.com/user/ SubmarinersWorldTV PigBoats http://www.pigboats.com/ 11 USS Minnesota (SSN 783) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Minnesota_(SSN-783) Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now. Minutes of the Bremerton Base USSVI Meeting conducted 17 January 2014 Base minutes may be viewed at http://gertrude-check.org/archives.html Base Commander, Jim DeMott called the Jan. 17, 2015 meeting to order at 1000 hours. Opening observances were conducted. Dale McVey the Facebook coordinator reports our facebook page has 100 likes. Vice Cmdr. Steve Corcoran is always in need of speakers for the membership meetings. The annual budget was approved by the E-Board and thanks the members of the Ways and Means Committee . Scott Fusco Kaps for Kids coordinator will contact Harrison Hospital to see if there is any interest. Chief of the Boat Wayne Peterson reports the Christmas Party will be Dec. 12, 2015 at the Bremerton Elks. The minutes of the Dec. 2014 meeting were approved as submit- Base Cmdr. Jim DeMott discussed the need for a Fireworks Chairman. He reminded everyone that Feb. 21 2015 will be the ted. Breakfast meeting at the American Legion on Kitsap Way. Doug The Base Treasurer Dennis Nardone reports the base has McKay has volunteered to cook breakfast. Rick Anderson a $76,407.03 in various accounts. Dennis also reported the base magical comedian will be the guest speaker. Jim also informed has 281 members. Base Storekeeper Ralph Harris has numerous items for sale plus the membership the E-Board has approved a $1,000.00 donation to the Chicago Submarine Memorial. He also asked everyone to this month he has flag pins. check their personal information on the national website to enSam Swenson, the Float Coordinator reports the float is in storsure it is correct. age for the winter. Doug McKay won $49.00 in the 50/50 drawing and Scotty John Gardner the Scholarship Chairman has copies of this year’s Fusco won a coffee cup. scholarship application. 1045 The business meeting was adjourned and the movie Dick Litscher Holland Club Chairman has 13 members to induct “Rickover the birth of nuclear power” was shown to those interinto the Holland Club in 2015. ested. Don Bassler Deterrent Park Chairperson reported he has 9 bricks to install. Don will always accept articles for Gertrude-check. Respectfully submitted, He has received the set of books, “U.S. Submarine Men Lost in Wayne Sieckowski WWII”, Edition 5 and got them stamped saying the Base is doBase Secretary nating them to the Kitsap Regional Library.. Facebook (log in to your account first) Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic https://www.facebook.com/SUBLANT Commander, Submarine Force Pacific https://www.facebook.com/SUBPAC U.S. Pacific Fleet https://www.facebook.com/USPacificFleet?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser U.S. 7th Fleet https://www.facebook.com/7thfleet?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser Submarine Group Nine https://www.facebook.com/pages/Submarine-Group-Nine/105052617402 Navy Times https://www.facebook.com/navytimes?fref=nf Together We Served https://www.facebook.com/TogetherWeServed Got Dolphins? https://www.facebook.com/pages/Got-Dolphins/101385216229 Undersea Warfare Magazine https://www.facebook.com/USWMagazine? fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser Lockwood Internet Base https://www.facebook.com/USSVILIB? 12 USS North Dakota (SSN 784) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_North_Dakota_(SSN-784) Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter When you Understand 1943 When the hatch closes over your head, the OOD says last man USS ARGONAUT (SS 166) January 10, 1943 down and the COW says green board, you understand the meanUSS AMBERJACK (SS 219)February 16, 1943 ing of adventure. USS GRAMPUS (SS 207) March 5, 1943 USS TRITON (SS 201) March 15, 1943 When the only thing between you and millions of gallons of seawater is a steel hull and some closed valves, you understand USS PICKEREL (SS 177) April 3, 1943 USS GRENADIER (SS 210) April 22, 1943 the meaning of courage. USS RUNNER (SS 275) May 28, 1943 When sonar calls out to the conn “high speed screws in the waUSS R 12 (SS 89) June 12, 1943 ter” in hostile waters, you understand the meaning of fear. USS POMPANO (SS 181)August 29, 1943 When the messenger passes out the only family grams the satel- USS GRAYLING (SS 209) September 9, 1943 USS CISCO (SS 290) September 28, 1943 lite could catch and yours isn’t one, you learn the meaning of USS S 44 (SS 155) October 7, 1943 loneliness. USS WAHOO (SS 238) October 11, 1943 When hissing water in the overhead turns from a slight annoyUSS DORADO (SS 248) October 12, 1943 ance to a terrifying rushing cascade bouncing off the hull and USS CORVINA (SS 226) November 16, 1943 equipment, you understand the meaning of survival. USS SCULPIN (SS 191) November 19, 1943 USS CAPELIN (SS 289) November 23, 1943 When you hear the quick sound that a curtain makes on your rack that indicates your watch is about to begin, you understand 1944 the meaning of irritation. When you see a brother stand at attention while the Captain pins USS SCORPION (SS 278) January 5, 1944 on the fish he worked so hard to earn, you understand the mean- USS GRAYBACK (SS 208) February 26, 1944 ing of pride. USS TROUT (SS 202) February 28, 1944 When you retire and they pipe you over the side for the very last USS TULLIBEE (SS 284) March 26, 1944 USS HERRING (SS 233) June 1, 1944 time, you learn the meaning of great sadness. USS GUDGEON (SS 211) June 7, 1944 When your eyes grow dim and your strength ebbs with age, you USS GOLET (SS 361) June 14, 1944 understand the meaning of envy every time you see submarine USS S 28 (SS 133) July 4, 1944 getting underway. USS ROBALO (SS 273) July 26, 1944 When a shipmate from a time so long ago passes on and people USS FLIER (SS 250) August 13, 1944 say so many things they wish they had said before they departed, USS HARDER (SS 257) August 24, 1944 USS SEAWOLF (SS 197) October 3, 1944 you understand regret. USS ESCOLAR (SS 294) October 17, 1944 By Bob MacPherson (submitted by Tommy Robinson) USS DARTER (SS 227) October 24, 1944 USS SHARK II (SS 314) October 24, 1944 USS TANG (SS 306) October 24, 1944 USS ALBACORE (SS 218) November 7, 1944 USS GROWLER (SS 215) November 8, 1944 USS SCAMP (SS 277) November 9, 1944 Tolling of the Boats (WWII) 1941-1942 1945 USS SEALION (SS 195) December 10, 1941 USS S 36 (SS 141) January 20, 1942 USS S 26 (SS 131) January 24, 1942 USS SHARK (SS 174) February 11, 1942 USS PERCH (SS 176) March 3, 1942 USS S 27 (SS 132) June 19, 1942 USS GRUNION (SS 216) July 30, 1942 USS S 39 (SS 144) August 16, 1942 13 USS SWORDFISH (SS 193) January 12, 1945 USS BARBEL (SS 316) February 4, 1945 USS KETE (SS 369) March 20, 1945 USS TRIGGER (SS 237) March 26, 1945 USS SNOOK (SS 279) April 8, 1945 USS LAGARTO (SS 371) May 3, 1945 USS BONEFISH (SS 223) June 18, 1945 USS BULLHEAD (SS 332) August 6, 1945 USS John Warner (SSN 785) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_John_Warner_(SSN-785) Law of the Result -When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, IT WILL!!! 536 Fourth St Bremerton, WA 98337 (360) 627-9843 Deterrent Park Brick Application ($40/Brick Donation) http://gertrude-check.org/brickap.htm Brick Locator http://gertrude-check.org/DETPARK/bricklocator.pdf 14 USS Illinois (SSN 786) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Illinois_(SSN-786) Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter BREMERTON BASE, UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Bremerton Base United States Submarine Veterans Go to page 8 to continue Scholarship Chairman – John Gardner 469 NE Valley Oak Dr. Bremerton, WA. 98311 Ph. (360) 692-8994 [email protected] Request applications before April 4th. http://gertrude-check.org/scolcomp2015.pdf?app= Bremerton Base Calendar Treasurer’s Report http://gertrude-check.org/2015CALENDAR/Year.html 2/28/2015 Dennis Nardone 2015—Current Mar 21 (10:00) General Membership Meeting FRA 521 National Ave, Life Fund: $31, 057.59 Bremerton 360.373.2296 Scholarship Fund: $15,823.62 Apr 01 (11:30) Bi-Monthly SK Sale – Trident Training Facility Bangor General Fund: $31,903.70 Apr 04 (9:00) E-Board FRA 521 National Ave, Bremerton 360.373.2296 Net Worth: $78,784.91 Apr 11 Dolphin Dash Apr 19 Enlisted Submarine Ball Base Membership 2/28/2015 Dennis Nardone May 02 (9:00) E-Board FRA 521 National Ave, Bremerton 360.373.2296 May 16 Armed Forces Day Parade Total Members: 274 May 19 (1900) General Membership Meeting FRA 521 National Ave, Annual Members: 49 Bremerton 360.373.2296 USSVI Life Members: 208 Base Life Members: 196 Holland Club Members: 151 May 25 Memorial Day Jun 03 (11:30) Bi-Monthly SK Sale – Trident Training Facility Bangor Annual Associate Members: 3 Jun 06 (9:00) E-Board FRA 521 National Ave, Bremerton 360.373.2296 Life Associate Members: 5 Jun 16 (1900) General Membership Meeting FRA 521 National Ave, War Veterans: 254 Bremerton 360.373.2296 Jun 27 (1800)Fathoms of Fun Parade When in doubt… use the Gertrude Check for the most up-to-date information! 15 USS Washington (SSN 787) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Washington_(SSN-787) The Past, Present and Future—-Pride Runs Deep! PUGET SOUNDINGS Quarterly Newsletter Volume 19 ISSUE 14 Jan—Mar 2015—Issue Date Mar 16, 2015 UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS BREMERTON BASE PO BOX 465 SILVERDALE, WA 98383-0465 Permit # 92 DO NOT RETURN TO SENDER Monthly Meetings FRA #29 521 National Ave., Bremerton, WA Soup Down Newsletter Advertising Rates Full Page, 4 issues - $500 Single Issue - $135 Half Page, 4 issues - $250 Single issue - $70 Quarter page, 4 Issues - $125 Single issue - $35 Eighth page, 4 Issues - $60 Single issue - $20 E-mail Don Bassler (mailto:[email protected]) Or call him at 360-602-0250 for details about advertising only. 11:30—13:00 Soup Down, on Fridays, was established by the late Willie Spoon for two equal purposes: to bring members together on a weekly basis to maintain the fraternity, and to encourage the establishments to contribute a raffle prize or direct contribution to the Bremerton Base's annual Lt. William "Willie" Spoon Memorial Scholarship Fund. Mar 20 All Star Lanes 10710 Silverdale Way, Silverdale 360.692.5760 Mar 27 Round Table Pizza 3276 NW Plaza Rd #101, Silverdale 360.698.4040 Apr 3 Olive Garden 3204 NW Randall Way, Silverdale 360.613.0207 Apr 10 Horse and Cow 536 4th St, Bremerton 360.627.9843 Apr 17 Club House, McCormack Woods 5155 McCormick Woods Drive SE Port Orchard 360-895-0142 Apr 24 Tracyton Public House 403 NW Tracy Ave, Bremerton 360.405.768 () May 1 Los Cabos 4120 Wheaton Way, Bremerton 360.373.1320 May 8 Red Lobster 3208 NW Randall Way, Silverdale 360.613.0105 May 15 Family Pancake House 3900 Kitsap Way, Bremerton 360.479.2422 May 22 Elmer’s 760 E Liberty Rd, Poulsbo 360.697.2215 May 29 Family Inn at Manchester Family Inn 2386 Colchester Dr E, Manchester 360-871-8199 Jun 5 Arena Sports Bar 4111 Wheaton Way, Bremerton 360.627.7515 Jun 12 Family Pancake House, E 4115 Wheaton Way Bremerton 360-479-0788 Jun 19 Famous Dave’s 3276 NW Plaza Road, Silverdale 360.307.9999 Jun 26 Skippers Fish and Chowder 10725 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale360.516.6265 July 3 Brother Don’s 4200 Kitsap Way, Bremerton 360.377.8442 Jul 10 Applebees 3138 NW Randall Way, Silverdale 360.308.8000 July 17 Club House, McCormack Woods 5155 McCormick Woods Drive SE Port Orchard 360-895-0142 July 24 Azteca 19045 State Hwy 305, Poulsbo 360.779.7427 Please Pass This Issue to Another Submariner 16 Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter Digital Copy Soup Down Famous Dave’s Famous Dave’s Famous Dave’s Famous Dave’s Skipper’s Skipper’s http://gertrude-check.org/soupdown.html 17 Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter Digital Copy Soup Down Skipper’s McCormick Woods McCormick Woods McCormick Woods Arena Sports Bar Arena Sports Bar http://gertrude-check.org/soupdown.html 18 Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter Digital Copy Soup Down Arena Sports Bar Red Lobster Red Lobster Los Cabos Los Cabos Applebees http://gertrude-check.org/soupdown.html 19 Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter Shipmates & Friends: Only those of us that rode submarines can appreciate the following experiences. I know that there is not one of us that would not jump at doing it all over again. A little long but brings back memories. Ever A Submariner Digital Copy I enjoyed seeing places I’d only dreamed of, and some of which I’d heard from my grandfather who had seen them under very different circumstances and conditions… places like Pearl Harbor, Guam, Truk Island and Subic and Tokyo Bays. I admired the teamwork of loading ships stores, the “brow-brigade” from pier to boat, and lowering I liked popping the hatch at the top of the sail them vertically through a 24” hatch to the galley (submarine’s bridge) at sunrise and being the first to below. I relished the competition of seeing who savor the scent of fresh air for the first time in 8 could correctly guess how many days underway beweeks… watching dolphins race in the bow wave fore the fresh eggs and milk ran out and powder preon the way back home to Pearl… the tear-drop hull vailed upon us henceforth. of the boat beneath me silently slicing through the sea. I loved my “brothers,” each and every one, whether their dolphins were gold or silver and regardless of I liked the sounds of the submarine service (sounds rate or rank. We shared experiences that bonded us that we alone could hear, as we were the Silent Ser- evermore, and knew each other’s joys, pains, vice where others were concerned) – the ascending strengths and weaknesses. We listened to and whine of the dive alarm sounding, and the haunting looked out for each other. We shared precious little echos of “Cayooogah, cayooogah… Dive! Dive!” space in which to live and move and work, and we from the boats yesteryear, the gruff voice of a Chief breathed, quite literally, the same recycled air. headed aft… “Down ladder; Make a Hole!”, the indescribable creaking sound of hull-steel compress- After weeks in cramped quarters, my heart leapt at ing at depths that remain classified to this day. the command, “Close All Main Vents; Commence Low Pressure Blow; Prepare to Surface; Set the MaI was impressed with Navy vessels – bracketed in neuvering Watch.” When safely secured along the the aperture of Periscope #2, the crosshairs gently pier, the scent of my sweetheart’s hair evaporated rising and falling across their silhouette on the hori- the staleness emanating from my dungarees. zon, while obtaining range, bearing and angle off the bow. Exhausting though it was, I even liked the adrenaline rush of endless drills, and the comfort in the I liked the names of proud boats of every class, from knowledge that any dolphin-wearing brother had the “pig boats” of WWI to the sea creatures of cross-trained just like I had… not only on basic WWII, like Barbel, Dorado, Shark and Seawolf, and damage control, but to the point of having a basic the Cold War boats that bore with honor the names working knowledge of every system on the boat, of these and 48 others that are “Still on Patrol.” such that when real emergencies inevitably arose, Boats honoring national heroes, statesmen and pres- the response was so automatic and efficient they idents: Washington, Madison, Franklin and more. were almost anti-climactic. Whole classes of boats honoring cities and states: Los Angeles, Ohio and Virginia. I liked the eerie sounds of “biologics” through the sonar headphones, the strange songs of the sea in I liked the tempo of opposed piston diesels and the the eternal night below the surface of the deep blue “pop” in your ears when equalizing to atmospheric seas. when the head valve first opens to ventilate and snorkel. I miss the “thrill” of riding an emergency [See Ever a Submariner p. 21] blow from test depth to the top at a nice steep bubble. 20 Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1 USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter Digital Copy the respect of the Officers and crew. I revered past heroes like inventor John Philip Holland and innovator Hyman G. Rickover. Such men and those that followed, both Officer and Enlisted, set precedents to follow, standards to uphold, and examples of I liked the darkness – control room rigged for red or bravery and self-sacrifice like the world has seldom black, the only illumination that of the back-lights seen. We were taught to honor these traditions. compass and gauges of the helm and myriad of butSomewhere far below the ocean’s surface, I became tons and indicator lights across the BCP. I liked the a man… and not just any man. I became… a Subgentle green glow of the station screens in the Sonar mariner. Shack and Fire Control. I grew to like coffee, the only way to stay awake in the numbing darkness of Decades now have come and gone since last I went the Control Room with the constant rocking of the to sea. The years have a way of dimming things, boat during countless hours at periscope depth. like looking at the past through a smoky mirror. I went, as many others, my separate way… raised a family, and moved on… but a part of me, my SailI liked “sliders” and “lumpia” and pizza at “Midrats” at the relieving of the watch. I liked the secure or’s Soul, will always be underway… somewhere… in the darkness, in the deep, making turns for twenty and cozy feeling of my rack, my humble little “den,” even when it was still warm from the body- knots and a pushing a hole through the water. [from p. 20] Ever A Submariner heat of the guy who just relieved me of the watch. Written By: Jody Wayne Durham, MM2/SS I liked the controlled chaos of the Control Room, with the Officer of the Deck, Diving Officer and Chief of the Watch receiving and repeating orders; USS Los Angeles (SSN-688), ’85 – ‘88 the sound of Sonar reporting: “Con-Sonar: New Contact, submerged, designated: Sierra 1, bearing: 0 -1-0, range: 1-0-0-0 yards, heading 3-5-0, speed: 1-5 knots, depth: 4-0-0’.” I liked the rush of “Man Battlestations; Rig for Quiet” announced over the 1MC, and the “outside of my rate” role I played as CEP plotter during war games, and later… SpecOps – the window to another world that I was allowed to peer through… the tactics, stealth and tenacity of our Captain making prompt and purposeful decisions to see us safely and successfully through the mission. I appreciated the fact that I was a 19 year old kid, entrusted with operating some of the most sophisticated equipment in the entire world, and the challenge of doing those tasks in a 33’ x 360’ steel tube, several hundred feet below the surface, in potentially hostile waters. I admired the traditions of the Silent Service, of Men of Iron in Boats of Steel, where you were just a NUB until you were “Qualified” and had EARNED 21
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