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Submarine Related Chatter / Re: Former US GUPPY Submarines still serving today in Taiwan
« on: November 07, 2014, 06:13:24 AM »
If I'm not mistaken, Rich Pekelney has visited them, with photos.
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Museum Submarine Discussion / WWII submarine focus in December issue Naval Issue
« on: November 04, 2014, 07:16:34 AM »
The December issue of the Naval Insitute's prestigious Naval History magazine features an outstanding WWII U.S. submarine warfare focus. It includes an excellent lead story by noted author James Scott which discusses the Silversides' role and I'm humbled to have a couple of photos from my collection included as well, interior shots of the Batfish and a wartime firsthand account of the Batfish's sinking of three submarines.
I have seen copies for sale at Barnes & Noble but they were not stocked at my local one when I was there Friday.
More information about the magazine or back issues can be found at www.usni.org.
I have seen copies for sale at Barnes & Noble but they were not stocked at my local one when I was there Friday.
More information about the magazine or back issues can be found at www.usni.org.
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Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Where Did Everyone Go?
« on: September 27, 2014, 08:37:24 AM »
Mike, "I-Boat Captain" is a good read. It was probably the first submarine book I ever read many moons and I consider it so seminal that I bought a second copy a few years ago in a used book store. If you're looking for more about Japanese subs on the technical side, I recommend "Submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy" by Dorr Carpenter and Norman Polmar, long out of print but available on the second-hand market, including eBay.
I am not yet aware of a book about Cold War submarine operations written from a Soviet point of view. A well written first-hand tome covering operations from the immediate post-war period to the late 1980s would attract my attention and earn a space on my shelves.
I am not yet aware of a book about Cold War submarine operations written from a Soviet point of view. A well written first-hand tome covering operations from the immediate post-war period to the late 1980s would attract my attention and earn a space on my shelves.
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Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Where Did Everyone Go?
« on: September 20, 2014, 07:24:39 AM »
I've done quite a bit of reading on Japanese subs. Not as much on Soviet subs of the area but have several resources. I'm happy to try answering any queries, either on the board or private messages!
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Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Where Did Everyone Go?
« on: September 18, 2014, 05:24:23 AM »
Preach, Lance!
Lots to do outside in the summer as well.
Lots to do outside in the summer as well.
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: Funniest Things / Best Moments
« on: August 23, 2014, 10:29:09 AM »
If you REALLY want to open your wife's and son's eyes to how they lived on U.S. subs in the Pacific, then plan a trip to Cleveland during warm weather to see the Cod (the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a short walk away. Also, have your wife read "Overdue and Presumed Lost" by Martin Sheridan, the only journalist allowed on a submarine war patrol. He really takes you "there."
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: Funniest Things / Best Moments
« on: August 21, 2014, 06:35:34 AM »
Good thing I'm taking a solo day trip today to give me time to think of a few.
But to be honest, Mike, to me, there's no such thing as a dumb question from a guest. If they're asking something, it's a good sign to me. It means they're absorbing what's around them and what you're saying, digesting it and trying to learn more. That's what it's all about. And remember, we're talking about people who may have had no exposure to a museum sub, historic ship or even the military. That's what a museum sub/ship's mission is all about: Education!
That being said, one moment immediately comes to mind. I was leading a tour in Silversides in 2002. There was an older gent in my group who was on a destroyer tender (era unknown). At the end, he said, "That was a good tour but you should have used more jargon."
But to be honest, Mike, to me, there's no such thing as a dumb question from a guest. If they're asking something, it's a good sign to me. It means they're absorbing what's around them and what you're saying, digesting it and trying to learn more. That's what it's all about. And remember, we're talking about people who may have had no exposure to a museum sub, historic ship or even the military. That's what a museum sub/ship's mission is all about: Education!
That being said, one moment immediately comes to mind. I was leading a tour in Silversides in 2002. There was an older gent in my group who was on a destroyer tender (era unknown). At the end, he said, "That was a good tour but you should have used more jargon."
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: Introductory Questions for Museum Staff
« on: August 12, 2014, 05:20:59 AM »
"Lack of common sense ..." MOT, Darrell.
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: New effort to save USS Clamagore
« on: August 09, 2014, 02:09:20 PM »
Ton of work = Ton of money. Not even mentioning the cost of the tow.
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: New effort to save USS Clamagore
« on: August 08, 2014, 10:03:30 PM »
I hate the idea of a museum sub going to scrap or a reef. But the sad fact is that it's too little, too late to save the Clam. She has been neglected for DECADES by her own management, and to be blunt, by outsiders and vets. Where were these guys 5, 10, 15 years ago??
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Not exactly sub-museum related
« on: July 28, 2014, 11:11:15 AM »
Anyone want another museum LST? May be best to let this one pass ... 
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/07/world/south-china-sea-dispute/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/07/world/south-china-sea-dispute/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: As we look at OUR museums around the country struggling by
« on: July 27, 2014, 08:05:48 PM »
Love these, Mark! (Belated) Congratulations and well done!! As I may have mentioned, this speaks volumes about your efforts, ethos and character. And like I've shared, these veterans and their families "get it."
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: As we look at OUR museums around the country struggling by
« on: July 20, 2014, 05:03:35 AM »
Speaking of which, Lance posted some pictures of their "change of command" ceremony on the SubMuseums.org FB page. Love how the former and new directors are shaking hands over a rusty podium.
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: As we look at OUR museums around the country struggling by
« on: July 19, 2014, 12:21:20 PM »
WHOA! That's beautiful, Mark. Ultimate proof that you have served the Batfish and her legacy well.
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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: As we look at OUR museums around the country struggling by
« on: July 19, 2014, 08:17:09 AM »
Moral of the story: Working on a museum ship (paid or volunteer) can be among the most rewarding, satisfying AND exasperating experiences (both at the same time) of your life. Someone brought up an example of a vet who would rather see a museum sub destroyed when he died? That's not an isolated incident.
No one can blame anyone from walking away from such a lousy situation and treatment at the Batsh*t. But from the silver lining department, one of the things that has kept me interested, studying and enjoying the museum ship I used to work on (even after the management moved it to another state) was the retired WWII officers (including a wartime CO who earned 3 Navy Crosses) I met during a reunion on board. We wrote back and forth (this was before e-mail and when long-distance phone calls were expensive) and enjoyed wonderful visits (including sailing in San Diego Bay). They answered countless questions about the ship but also took a genuine interest in me and realized the importance of keeping young people interested in history, especially of their beloved vessel. These guys "got it." We got to be close friends and before long we talked as much about our families and life in general as about WWII. Sadly, all have passed. I miss them individually and collectively but am a better person for knowing them.
No one can blame anyone from walking away from such a lousy situation and treatment at the Batsh*t. But from the silver lining department, one of the things that has kept me interested, studying and enjoying the museum ship I used to work on (even after the management moved it to another state) was the retired WWII officers (including a wartime CO who earned 3 Navy Crosses) I met during a reunion on board. We wrote back and forth (this was before e-mail and when long-distance phone calls were expensive) and enjoyed wonderful visits (including sailing in San Diego Bay). They answered countless questions about the ship but also took a genuine interest in me and realized the importance of keeping young people interested in history, especially of their beloved vessel. These guys "got it." We got to be close friends and before long we talked as much about our families and life in general as about WWII. Sadly, all have passed. I miss them individually and collectively but am a better person for knowing them.