Author Topic: submarine launching bottle case  (Read 6644 times)

chris

  • Guest
submarine launching bottle case
« on: June 13, 2008, 02:16:44 PM »
A FEW YEARS AGO 2002 I THINK,SOMEONE DONATED THE LAUNCHING BOTTLE WIRE HOLDER AND WOOD CASE FOR THE USS TUNNY 282.DOES THE BATFISH STILL HAVE THIS ITEM AND IS IT ON DISPLAY?

Offline Rick

  • Former Director, Muskogee War Memorial
  • Chief Petty Officer
  • *
  • Posts: 801
  • Total BZs: 5
    • View Profile
Re: submarine launching bottle case
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2008, 02:20:45 PM »
Yes and Yes.

The glass from the bottle is still in the holder.     ;D

chris

  • Guest
Re: submarine launching bottle case
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2008, 02:27:14 PM »
THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR.I GUESS THERE ARE NOT TO MANY OF THEM AROUND.THE DONOR FOUND IT IN A OLD HOME WHILE FIXING IT UP.WHO KNOWS WHAT IS OUT THERE AND WILL SURFACE SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.

Offline Paul Farace

  • USS Cod Volunteer
  • Chief Petty Officer
  • *
  • Posts: 572
  • Total BZs: 12
    • View Profile
Re: submarine launching bottle case
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2008, 10:17:01 PM »
Did you know the woman who sponsors a ship (or sub) becomes a member of an international society of Ship Sponsors? Yup!  It's called a christening bottle and if it was from Electric Boat, it was returned to the sponsor after the launching with the dings removed, a new bottle (empty) placed inside, and the whole shebang was placed in a hardwood (mahogany?) casket (that's their word, not mine!) with a brass plate bearing some kind of inscription.  COD's is still in the hands of the great-granchildren of Mrs. Grace Mahoney. They now live in So. Cal, not CT, and they said "Sorry, but no way..." when I inquired if they were ever considering donating it to COD. That is fine with me (for now...)  as long as it doesn't end up in a landfill, or on eBay!

Can you post a photo?  The Sub Force library has some on display. You're lucky to have one! 

Seems like you guys have a nice collection of artifacts! Good for you!

PF
Johnny Cash's third cousin, twice removed

Offline JohnG

  • USS Batfish Volunteer
  • Petty Officer 2nd Class
  • *
  • Posts: 225
  • Total BZs: 3
  • USS Batfish's Resident Thug
    • View Profile
Re: submarine launching bottle case
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2008, 11:06:01 PM »
Wow, we do have alot of stuff. This and the commissioning plate. I have cleaned out cases and the like and had no idea how rare they were. lol Now I have to really check them out.
"If crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight?" ~George Carlin

Offline MWALLEN

  • Military Historian / Former Batfish Volunteer
  • Forum Administrator
  • Chief Petty Officer
  • *
  • Posts: 629
  • Total BZs: 11
    • View Profile
    • The Official USS Batfish SS310 Website
Re: submarine launching bottle case
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2008, 11:28:22 PM »
Quote
Can you post a photo?

Here is a photo of the bottle and the commissioning plate:
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" - Edmund Burke

Offline Paul Farace

  • USS Cod Volunteer
  • Chief Petty Officer
  • *
  • Posts: 572
  • Total BZs: 12
    • View Profile
Re: submarine launching bottle case
« Reply #6 on: June 16, 2008, 11:08:33 AM »
Cool stuff! 

But the plaque is the commissioning plaque, not the builer's plaque, which is heavier and goes with the commissioning plaque...

These are the holy grails of submarine restoration, IMHO.

But you're half the way there with your commissioning plaque!
And PNSY didn't remove the ding in the bottle!!!???!!!
Nice case though!  Don't know if the EBCo caskets are that cool looking.

Thanks for sharing!
PF
Johnny Cash's third cousin, twice removed