Messages

1

Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: As we look at OUR museums around the country struggling by

« on: July 21, 2014, 03:21:27 AM »

Mark Allen,

I apologize for the delay in reaching out to both you and this forum. I am still getting settled in as the Park Director, as well as finding my way around a brand new city. Many of the problems that you mention about the operation of the Muskogee War Memorial Park are issues that concern me as well. I will be more than happy to discuss this with you over phone or in person.  

On a side note, my wife and I did chuckle about the rust on the placard stand in the picture. I know a few young men who will be painting quite a few of them this weekend.

Thanks,

Brent Trout

This post is from Brent but under Rick's account. We'll fix this up.  - Jim

2

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Change of Command

« on: July 07, 2014, 12:39:28 AM »

I have a lot to say here.  So, hang on and bear with me as I make it through this hard post.

I am sad to confirm the rumors that I will be leaving the Muskogee War Memorial and USS Batfish this week after 7 and 1/2 years of service.   This has been a bitter sweet journey over the last few month as I am leaving a job that I truly love and will be passing a charge that I have had the pleasure to watch grow and mature from someone's personal club house into the starts of a museum that is beginning to thrive and grow.   

Over the years I have witnesses the Batfish Relief Crew spend many an hour replacing decking in wind, rain, snow, and sun.   I have watched the Chief's Mess volunteer and give the old girl her first paint job in over 10 years.    I was able to partake in Living History events, Scout activities, Crews Quarters restorations, and facilities upgrades.  I worked with great people who have place their time, money, energy and love into this girl in restoration activities, events and in day to day operations.

I cannot say that everything was perfect.   I walked into a field of political land mines, an overwhelming sense of Founders Syndrome, varied and conflicting personalities, and a community that was indifferent to the treasure they held.   The Board of Trustees have helped me clear some of that mine field.  The Changing City Management is starting to realize the gem that they have and the support for the Muskogee War Memorial and USS Batfish is beginning to thrive as the number one rated attraction in Muskogee according to TripIt.com. 

The patronage for the museum has grown 30% in my time at the museum and our revenue has grown 10%.   The museums Management and Board developed the museums first policies and procedures while I was at the museum.   We were able to receive additional education and help from the AMA, AASLH, NavSea, HNSA, OHS and other major organizations that corrected many practices and procedures hindering our museum status.  The Muskogee Foundation funded projects that include a restoration of our gangway, expansion of our storage facilities, improvements to the boats lighting (both inside and out), Archival storage improvements, a resurfaced parking lot, and an A/C upgrade to the main building.  I am even proud to announce that the City of Muskogee has provided an significant funding increase to the museum.

It is  my turn to step back now.   It is time to turn this boat over to a new helmsman.  I look forward to continuing to help the Boat and the Museum continue their mission to honor our veterans, educate our public, and provide experiences to our visitors that will last a life time.   It is my hope that this growth and continues through the decades to come.   My predecessor has a strong background in the technologies and practices in museum management.  I am very confident that he will continue the fine tradition and accept the challenges that I have placed before him.   

To my Board, Volunteers and Staff I would like to say thank you for all that you have done for me in my time here at the museum.  If there is anything that I can do to help this girl, the museum, and the people that I have grown to love (some of whom I will miss such as Dennis Gilbert) I am but a phone call away.  Do not become discouraged by the actions of others she is doing well, and for those who are here for her, she will be there for you: a safe harbor in the rough seas.

Rick Dennis
Exiting Park Director
Muskogee War Memorial

 

3

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Yes Virginia, there is a stern plane!!! Paging Indiana Jones!

« on: April 14, 2013, 02:07:07 PM »

See....

I have been saying it all along that we all will be pleasantly surprised when we get to see her undercarrage.  The last time this portion of the boat has been exposed was in 1986 during the centinial flood.   I am happy to see the dive planes exposed and am looking forward to the developement of this project.

Rick
Former Park Manager

4

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Periscopes Repairs

« on: March 27, 2013, 10:34:39 AM »

We would love to have that scope.  Please send Mark and me any information.  I am intent on getting it.....

Rick
ussbatfish@sbcglobal.net

5

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Dive Planes

« on: March 24, 2013, 03:26:28 PM »

Ok I will make it official.  For a few weeks now Jim and I have been talking about digging the dive planes out of the ground.  The idea is 2 fold.  1 we are hoping to releave the stress on the aft end.   I personally know that the shelback has developed a ripple in it that changes with the weather.  The boat does have a list and no matter what we do this will have to occur to continue with any plans to corret that list.  The second goal is to expose the after stearing gear so we can have another visual on the boat that has not occured for at least 20 years.  On this side we will be able to assess some of the potential damage that has been caused by the boat sitting on the ground.  I think everyone will be surprised no matter what their opinion is about this situation.  

I have some positive feedback from public works.  They will help us out once thier schedule clears out in the next couple of weeks.  The gentleman that I worked with seemed to be very excited about this project and I look for good things to happen.  I need to sit with Jim and discuss further what we can do to keep this from becoming a big water storage tank / mosquito breeding ground, but I feel this is a good project and it looks like it will be moving ahead.

Rick

6

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Covering the Batfish

« on: March 24, 2013, 03:11:13 PM »

The Kia was my car.   

7

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: new things at the Batfish...

« on: February 26, 2013, 01:57:38 PM »

I appologize for failure to post in the past.  For me personally, I am raising 3 kids on my own, one just went into the military (another list of things to due) am remodeling a house, and going to school.  Needless to say I have been a little busy.   For Jim.  I have worked hard to take the politics out of it for the volunteers.  This museum cannot function with out you.   I am the political leason and that is, in part, why I ask that everyone coordinates through me before anything get moving.  The board, city, among many other people would not be happy with several contractors knocking on their door asking for large sums of money.  I am thankfull for you taking an interest as we have not had that for about a year now.  Keep in touch, and lets see how much closer we can get to making this thing something to respect.

Rick

8

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Periscopes Repairs

« on: February 26, 2013, 01:48:22 PM »

I am all for this.  I am looking at a "Hard Hat" tour that will be very limited, but will offer guided access to certain areas of the submarine.  The Con would be one of those areas.  I want the pariscopes repaired.  Who do whe talk to to get them done?

Rick

9

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Rick - wish list

« on: February 26, 2013, 01:46:27 PM »

Jim,

One of the things I have learned through reading the accounts of these old boats it that there was not a whole lot that fit into a pure manufacturing molde like we see today.  Many modifications were made on the fly and without the shipyard knowledge.  I remember one account on the Tang where O'kain had his crew reconfigure the antena on the sheers to create a smaller submerged wake for the boat.  Just one example.

I do not believe that the Batfish ever had a rear ladder.  At least I have never found any documentation showing that it did.   The issue here is access tot he bridge.  I am still in favor of letting the public up to the bridge area, we just need to decide how.  Access needed to be safe and the ladder to the after gun deck is the only practical way that I can see.  In our case, interpretation is critical.  We have an opertunity here to stylize it and make it our.  Take advantage of the.   At least within reason.

Rick 

10

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: 2-24-2013 BATFISH Report

« on: February 26, 2013, 01:35:41 PM »

As we move forward with any project everyone has to remember that the museum has VERY little money.  This is one reason that i need to keep in the loop on every thing.   For digging out the dive planes I am all for this.  I believe Jim is on the right track by building some type of coffer around the planes.  Keep in mind the current paint job is a protective coat only.  We did not sandblast or remove the old paint because of the costs involved in lead abatemnet.  We do not want to go there.  We have plenty of paint.  There is $3000 available for this purpuse.  That sould be more then enough to complete the equipment on the grounds as a whole. 

I do have a drawing showing the lay of the electrical and water for the gounds and park.  There is not a whole lot there so this should be easy.  Also we will be taping into that line by summer for the lighting project. 

I like the plan being disucssed so far.  I agree with Mark S in that we probably need to dig the after plans out first then proceed with the ruder.  We will need to use caution as we proceed as I am certain that the boat will be shifting as we do this.   We will need to maintain the integraty of the gangway thoughout this project.  The Muskogee Foundation just spent $40,000 to rebuild the gangway and the sidewalk leading up to it.  An oops here would not be good.  There are ways that we may be able to accomplish any further retaining walls for the stearage gear as we move forward.  Start getting me some dollar figures.  I can start working the issue. 

Rick

PS  I am looking at an Eagle project that will be repairing the back fence line.  A bobcat would be very helpful in removing the old fence, trees, vines ect.     

11

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Batfish bow planes are now rigged out

« on: February 26, 2013, 01:12:38 PM »

I can say with reasonable confidence that he bildge is dry.  3 Creek kids and a bunch of buckets took care of roughly 75 gallons of bildge water.

12

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Muskogee War Memorial Park - BATFISH's home

« on: February 26, 2013, 01:09:32 PM »

I have learned 1 thing over the past 7 years.  (OMG it has been that long ).  Do not count on anything until it is arriving at the gate, then hang on to it with you dear life.  The river was much higher back then.  Since the three dams were finished the Corp of Engineers keep the river levels relitively lown.  For new equipment, I am all for it.  Get those silver toungs working and lets get it here. 

Rick

13

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Nice find there Rick!

« on: February 26, 2013, 01:04:10 PM »

The planes are still there.  Blackwing and I had an extensive conversation on this topic.  It looks like we may be moving forward with this.  As time and resources present themselves I would look for more improvements at we move forward.

Rick

14

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Historic Naval Ship Maintenance/Preservation/Exhibition Award

« on: March 05, 2012, 08:42:46 AM »

Mark Deserves it....

15

Submarine Related Chatter / SDIP Help for the Batfish...

« on: May 26, 2011, 03:20:06 PM »

For all of the submarines museums out there.   I am looking to replace some missing documentation here at the batfish.    In particular, i am trying to build documentation that will satisfiy item #1 on the SDIP Self inspection report.   Can anyone provide me with copies of thier...

Booklet of general Plans
Tank loding and access tables
damage control plates

Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Rick