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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: Pampanito Drydocking
« on: December 06, 2015, 09:18:51 PM »
Yes, good luck! And very definitely let us know how we can obtain a set of tube gaskets... I haven't put the checkbook in the drawer yet... 
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Very important issue !!!
« on: October 14, 2015, 05:36:15 PM »
I've been trying to sell our volunteers on doing just this aboard Cod. That rusty muck does stain our ballast tanks too! Painters love doing the outside of the superstructure, but the inside has not been painted since 1988 and at that time it was painted gray, not black! So someday, if we don't do something soon, our painters will push their rollers right through the superstructure from the outside in - because the metal will rust from the inside out! 
And the waterways, as they're called by our sub skippers, do need to be scrapped and dried and recoated. Otherwise they'll rust through and fill tanks! Yech! Love the pump idea and will look into it once we de-muck, clean, and recoat those waterways!
Good point to discuss here! Well done!
And the waterways, as they're called by our sub skippers, do need to be scrapped and dried and recoated. Otherwise they'll rust through and fill tanks! Yech! Love the pump idea and will look into it once we de-muck, clean, and recoat those waterways!Good point to discuss here! Well done!
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: was tile used during the war?
« on: August 03, 2015, 12:13:56 AM »
It is probably too late to be of any help... but here goes...
Fleet subs in WWII NEVER USED the 9x9 inch tiles!!! Either the asphalt/asbestos or the newer vinyl tiles. The US NAVY replaced the original linoleum sheet floor covering in the late 1950s and early 60s with 9x9 asphalt asbestos tiles because they wore better than linoleum. Look at the writing desks on your battery volt meters, likely you'll see 12x12-in. pieces of your original dark hunter green linoleum glued there as a writing surface!
We replaced our 1962 tiles with 1988 "safe" tiles, but hope to replace them soon with either linoleum or sheet rubber that looks like it but lasts longer (Pampanito, Silversides, and Cobia have done this).
Fleet subs in WWII NEVER USED the 9x9 inch tiles!!! Either the asphalt/asbestos or the newer vinyl tiles. The US NAVY replaced the original linoleum sheet floor covering in the late 1950s and early 60s with 9x9 asphalt asbestos tiles because they wore better than linoleum. Look at the writing desks on your battery volt meters, likely you'll see 12x12-in. pieces of your original dark hunter green linoleum glued there as a writing surface!
We replaced our 1962 tiles with 1988 "safe" tiles, but hope to replace them soon with either linoleum or sheet rubber that looks like it but lasts longer (Pampanito, Silversides, and Cobia have done this).
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Simple answer...
« on: January 08, 2015, 04:32:50 PM »
just signing up for sub service and climbing down that ladder and closing the hatch when departing on patrol...
Everything that follows is just trivial...
But, OK, for the point you are making... USS Barb's shore party blowing up the train OR her attack on Namkwan Harbor (won him the MOH).
Everything that follows is just trivial...
But, OK, for the point you are making... USS Barb's shore party blowing up the train OR her attack on Namkwan Harbor (won him the MOH).
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah
« on: December 24, 2014, 03:32:57 PM »
Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah (for the last few hours) to all and our best to everyone in the coming year! 
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USS Cod (SS-224) / We're out fighting the enemy... please leave a message at the tone... :o)
« on: December 24, 2014, 03:19:58 PM »
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Oh that was realllllly uncalled for Karen!
« on: December 11, 2014, 07:51:52 PM »
OK sister, it's on.... 
I think it was neat meeting the illustrious creator of this BBS!!! OK, and his lovely wife and daughter...
I think it was neat meeting the illustrious creator of this BBS!!! OK, and his lovely wife and daughter...
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Museum Submarine Discussion / FM engine spares? Here is a link to a lead for spare parts!
« on: December 11, 2014, 07:45:26 PM »
From the Rontini BBS someone has a lead on where you might find spares for FM engines...
Good luck!
http://messdeck.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27334&title=spare-parts-for-fm-engines
Good luck!
http://messdeck.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27334&title=spare-parts-for-fm-engines
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Gas is the only way to go, IMHO
« on: September 28, 2014, 06:51:19 PM »
Thanks for providing this very important safety information Rich!
The issue of firing guns is important. Our museum/memorial subs will never likely fire a torpedo on a regular basis (I will never say never with Pampanito around!)... but regular firing of Cod's deck gun has paid off in greatly enhanced public appreciation and media attention. That said, we only fire our gun because we have created what we think is as bullet-proof a gas system as can be designed by a former NASA rocket scientist (Dr. John Fakan) and others who appreciate a big BANG and safety. Our acetylene/oxygen system uses a piezoelectric firing key and it's "output" is as close as you will get from a 5-inch wet mount, according to a former Navy 5-inch gunnersmate. Bring the boat's punch to life is vital to allowing her to tell her story!
Playing with black powder is dangerous if you're not completely anal in your "housekeeping" ... soot and debris buildup and can cause a major problem. Not so with gas. True powder allows you to seemingly fire an exposed gun more accurately... guns in a turret are a different story. But the bang from powder is not the same as the bang from gas... and my expert says the gas bang is more like the real thing than black powder. I'd love to compare the three if the Navy were to cooperate!
We are finalizing the production of our operator's manual and will share it for informational purposes if anyone is interested ... when we are done editing it.
The issue of firing guns is important. Our museum/memorial subs will never likely fire a torpedo on a regular basis (I will never say never with Pampanito around!)... but regular firing of Cod's deck gun has paid off in greatly enhanced public appreciation and media attention. That said, we only fire our gun because we have created what we think is as bullet-proof a gas system as can be designed by a former NASA rocket scientist (Dr. John Fakan) and others who appreciate a big BANG and safety. Our acetylene/oxygen system uses a piezoelectric firing key and it's "output" is as close as you will get from a 5-inch wet mount, according to a former Navy 5-inch gunnersmate. Bring the boat's punch to life is vital to allowing her to tell her story!
Playing with black powder is dangerous if you're not completely anal in your "housekeeping" ... soot and debris buildup and can cause a major problem. Not so with gas. True powder allows you to seemingly fire an exposed gun more accurately... guns in a turret are a different story. But the bang from powder is not the same as the bang from gas... and my expert says the gas bang is more like the real thing than black powder. I'd love to compare the three if the Navy were to cooperate!
We are finalizing the production of our operator's manual and will share it for informational purposes if anyone is interested ... when we are done editing it.
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: Funniest Things / Best Moments
« on: August 28, 2014, 06:34:49 PM »
List of really dumb questions I've personally heard from visitors during the 2014 season and my replies:
Does the entire sub go underwater?? -- If it doesn't we're in big trouble!
Did the sub ever sink Japanese ships? (standing in front of the kill flags -- a very common question -- with my best snarky replies)... -- no, it was used for catching fish to feed the surface Navy... no, these Jap flags are just for decoration, the crew was composed entirely of conscientious objectors... No, the crew only made rude gestures at them to insult their ancestors... (basically you can say anything if you smile while saying it)!
Did the crew run out of air and/or suffocate? -- Yes, and they next crew had to remove their bodies when the sub returned on autopilot.
Is this a WW I or WW II sub? (not a totally dumb question), but the kicker was their next question, and this from a man who said he was a lawyer! DOES IT HAVE A NUCLEAR REACTOR? -- yes, it was given a retrofit reactor at Pep Boys in 1970!
Is this a German sub? (also have been asked by adult Americans -- is this an enemy submarine?) ... ja-vol est ist Das Kod!
Still I remind myself, as dumb as they may be, their dollars are just as smart as those from Mensa members! God love them!
Does the entire sub go underwater?? -- If it doesn't we're in big trouble!
Did the sub ever sink Japanese ships? (standing in front of the kill flags -- a very common question -- with my best snarky replies)... -- no, it was used for catching fish to feed the surface Navy... no, these Jap flags are just for decoration, the crew was composed entirely of conscientious objectors... No, the crew only made rude gestures at them to insult their ancestors... (basically you can say anything if you smile while saying it)!
Did the crew run out of air and/or suffocate? -- Yes, and they next crew had to remove their bodies when the sub returned on autopilot.
Is this a WW I or WW II sub? (not a totally dumb question), but the kicker was their next question, and this from a man who said he was a lawyer! DOES IT HAVE A NUCLEAR REACTOR? -- yes, it was given a retrofit reactor at Pep Boys in 1970!
Is this a German sub? (also have been asked by adult Americans -- is this an enemy submarine?) ... ja-vol est ist Das Kod!
Still I remind myself, as dumb as they may be, their dollars are just as smart as those from Mensa members! God love them!
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Museum Submarine Discussion / The Tenn folks really have a big bite to chew...
« on: August 28, 2014, 06:18:24 PM »
Not only do they need to get CLAM into shape for a tow, tow it to Knoxville, and then fix it up for display (minimal improvements at that), BUT THEY ARE LOOKING TO BUILD A FULL-BLOWN MILITARY MUSEUM!!! That alone would double or at least triple the amount needed to be raised... and that gets you a little mom&pop museum of military stuff from local vets, not a really worthwhile facility (that would take about $10 million minimum) and then there is staff costs (volunteers help, but you need paid staff to manage and curate!)...
I hope there are some very patriotic folks in the Volunteer State with deep pockets. It can happen, but only when the dollars are flowing like BS at the Legion Hall! Good luck to them!
I hope there are some very patriotic folks in the Volunteer State with deep pockets. It can happen, but only when the dollars are flowing like BS at the Legion Hall! Good luck to them!
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Museum Submarine Discussion / It's an EB thaanng...
« on: May 07, 2014, 01:43:35 PM »
It would seem that EBCo liked and supplied tall cylindrical butt cans for its boats, and likely Manitowoc followed suit. They have a flat tab that fits into vertical slot straps on ladder sides, table edges, etc. all over the boat. They are made of heavy metal and were much more substantial than the thin, larger stamped metal ones we got from Suisun Bay reserve ships (surface). COD has two given to us by one of our shipkeepers who was aboard the CAVALLA. He removed them as souvenirs at the end of the war. Likely the all went home in the seabags of smoking sailors. We need about 40 of them aboard COD... someday if and when we get drawings, we will have them fabricated.
Our FTR officers head has one, and one is bonded to its mount in the MR, next to the couch.
Paul
Our FTR officers head has one, and one is bonded to its mount in the MR, next to the couch.
Paul
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: ALL HANDS TURN TOO AND COMMENCE FIELD DAY
« on: April 27, 2014, 08:33:56 PM »
Aye, Aye Captain Suckie !!! 
Here is our report:
At COD on Saturday we had the most work done in a single day by the largest bunch of volunteers in our 38-year-history! The crew included USSVI COD Base members, local sea cadets, and COD's memorial crew! What got done? Well the 10-hour long workday included moving 1,000-lb slabs of concrete, scores of 30-lb paver blocks, digging foundations, loading our pop machines for opening day, cleaning up the COD's interior, and hell, we even hung a venetian blind in the window of our new workshop! I was so busy I only took a few photos!!!
About 3.000 Ibuprophen pills were consumed by the workers at the end of the day!
Here is our report:
At COD on Saturday we had the most work done in a single day by the largest bunch of volunteers in our 38-year-history! The crew included USSVI COD Base members, local sea cadets, and COD's memorial crew! What got done? Well the 10-hour long workday included moving 1,000-lb slabs of concrete, scores of 30-lb paver blocks, digging foundations, loading our pop machines for opening day, cleaning up the COD's interior, and hell, we even hung a venetian blind in the window of our new workshop! I was so busy I only took a few photos!!!
About 3.000 Ibuprophen pills were consumed by the workers at the end of the day!
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Funny, not aboard COD!
« on: March 17, 2014, 11:36:16 AM »
And our tree is lit constantly... so you don't miss it! But in all the years we've been open for tours, nobody has taken one, thank God. I think it has something to do with how the public perceives your ship... And how well armed the tourguides are... 
And how well armed the tourguides are...
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Who is pissed at Batfish?
« on: March 13, 2014, 01:19:05 AM »
I got an email the other day from someone who is canvasing submarine memorial folks and "every Oklahoma State senator.." with his long-winded photo bitch session on what he thinks are problems at Batfish. Some of the points are valid... and who doesn't have issues that someone with a chip on their shoulder could "ping on us" for?... and some are just not issues... looks like someone had a bad day when they visited and wanted to drop a brown bomb in the punch bowl. I think Batfish might want to be aware... and contact me if they have no clue.
Paul pfarace@att.net
Paul pfarace@att.net