Topics

1

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Plummeting numbers

« on: August 23, 2023, 09:39:12 PM »

As you can see from the attached chart, the number of visits dropped around the same time I quit updating the Batfish website.  I'm still getting around 7K hits per year but nowhere near the mid 40K hits I was getting.  I've started updating the site again and hope to get the numbers back up.  Stop by and see what I'm doing.  Keep coming back to see the updates.  It's slow, so be patient.  www.ussbatfish.com

2

USS Batfish (SS-310) / USS Batfish Facebook Group

« on: August 23, 2023, 09:34:11 PM »

To compliment my Batfish website (www.ussbatfish.com), I've created a Batfish Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1283019579030223).  My goal is to use it for several things such as:

1. A guestbook proxy so I don't have to re-create the one I previously had
2. A message board for all things history-related about the Batfish (SS310).  It's not about the park, they have their own FB group page.
3. A real-time information exchange on the history of the Batfish and her crew.

Just started it, so come over and follow it.  I have a whopping 5 members at the time of this post.  LOL

3

Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / Is anyone still using this forum?

« on: August 18, 2023, 11:47:42 PM »

Looks dead, wonder if anyone is still around to revive it.  Although I'm not back at the Batfish, I am getting ready for several things Batfish.  Would love to reconnect to old friends and make some new ones.

Give a reply...if I don't hear from anyone, I'll post my batfish email address and you can hit me up there if/when you discover this post.

Mark Allen

4

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Video of Batfish Rescue

« on: October 20, 2014, 01:38:23 PM »

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675075191_USS-Batfish_World-War-II_Red-Cross-boats_motor-launch

This is the same video I got from one of the actual persons that was rescued so I know it's legit...

Not sure I'd pay that price for the video.

Anyway, just an FYI...

They also have one claiming to be from the Batfish periscope, but I can't verify it as being actual or not...

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675075190_periscope-view_World-War-II_USS-Batfish-SS-310_war-patrol

5

Submarine Related Chatter / New Book: How to Pilot a Submarine

« on: July 22, 2014, 03:33:49 PM »

I just stumbled onto this while surfing at lunch...not sure of the contents but is due out next month...

How do you pilot a submarine? The US Navy based this book on the USS Perch and it gives in depth detail on all aspects of submarine work.  The training aid for the US Submarine fleet, How to Pilot a Submarine gives us an idea of just what life was like underwater and the various tasks a submariner would have to do. Restricted and unavailable till now, this is an ideal gift for the man in your life, who will learn how to crash dive, how to maintain the engines and batteries of a World War Two submarine and, most importantly, how to fire the torpedoes and to deal with life underwater.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1445635852/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=CA8E6GZ46A6V&coliid=I3B8QI0P39QHR

Maybe required reading before Darrin's next School of the Boat.

More:

Published by the US Navy, this was their training manual through the Second World War and into the 1950s. A truly fascinating glimpse at the shadowy, underwater world of a submariner

Not sure how this differs from the NAVPERS series.

6

Submarine Related Chatter / U166 and the S.S. Robert E. Lee

« on: July 17, 2014, 12:46:01 PM »

Sub related...U-166 underwater photos.

http://www.nautiluslive.org/album/2014/07/07/tale-two-wrecks-u-166-and-ss-robert-e-lee

Kinda cool...

7

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

« on: February 28, 2012, 09:02:24 PM »

I'm not a big fan of self-promotion, but I wanted to thank Rick Dennis for nominating me for this award.

This award is for a Fleet Member staff or volunteer person who has provided exemplary work on a daily or part time toward the long term maintenance and preservation of a historic naval vessel and/or toward the proper exhibition of that vessel to the general public. Each nomination must be submitted by or endorsed by the manager or director of said vessel.

http://www.hnsa.org/awards.htm

I am honored to join the ranks of Tom Bowser and Lesley Waters as previous winners.

Mostly, thanks to all my volunteers who consistently come out time after time over the last 3+ years to work on the Batfish deck.

Mark

8

Submarine Related Chatter / Christmas Self-Promotion

« on: December 09, 2011, 06:20:20 PM »

Just a reminder that the two sub books I've written would make great Christmas presents.  Yeah, it's another shameless plug...but I can't afford an agent or marketing team.

Here are the links again:

Leader of the Pack: The USS Batfish in WWII (paperback and e-book):

http://www.amazon.com/Leader-Pack-Fleet-Submarine-Batfish/dp/1450298915/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323469099&sr=1-1


Midway Submerged: Analysis of US and Japanese Sub Actions at Midway (hard cover, paper back and e-book):

http://www.amazon.com/Midway-Submerged-Analysis-Submarine-Operations/dp/1462049265/ref=sr_1_1_title_2_har?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323469147&sr=1-1


A couple of cover images are attached.

Thanks for the consideration!

Mark

9

Submarine Related Chatter / Probable WWII submarine wreck found in PNG

« on: October 27, 2011, 11:29:03 PM »

http://news.defence.gov.au/2011/10/27/probable-wwii-submarine-wreck-found-in-png/

Link to images: http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003=&search=11121086

Very interesting.

Mark

10

Submarine Related Chatter / New Book & a Shamless Plug

« on: October 23, 2011, 12:39:03 PM »

This is a shamless plug for my second book: "Midway Submerged: An Analysis of American and Japanese Submarine Operations at the Battle of Midway, June 1942", which is the result of 3 years of research that ultimately resulted in my master's thesis.

If you feel inclined, you can order copies at these websites:

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Midway-Submerged-Analysis-Submarine-Operations/dp/1462049265/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1319350137&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/midway-submerged-mark-w-allen/1106370110?ean=9781462049264&itm=1&usri=midway%2bsubmerged

iUniverse: http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/AdvancedSearch/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=Midway%20Submerged

Thanks for your support!

Mark Allen

11

Submarine Related Chatter / U.S. Navy Needs Diesel Submarines

« on: June 13, 2011, 11:29:28 PM »

Interesting article...

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=6792065&c=FEA&s=COM

Diesel subs are smaller, stealthier and more maneuverable in tight spaces than nuclear submarines. For example, unlike a nuclear submarine's power plant, a diesel's primary engine can be turned off when submerged, reducing noise emission. Indeed, unlike a nuclear-powered submarine, a modern diesel can hide on the ocean's floor, deadly silent, while monitoring whatever passes over and around

12

Submarine Related Chatter / 2007 Submarine Almanac

« on: April 14, 2011, 10:13:16 PM »

I stumbled upon this:

2007 Submarine Almanac.  Link:  http://www.simhq.com/_naval/naval_025a.html

Does anyone have a copy or know someone that has a copy?

If so, I'd like a copy of an article in it:  Captain Ernest “Zeke” Zellmer’s article Cavalla Makes its Mark in Naval History

I'll be happy to pay for reproduction and mailing costs.

Let me know if anyone can help!

Thanks,

Mark

13

Submarine Related Chatter / Cavalla (SS244) and/or Albacore (SS218) Veterans

« on: April 04, 2011, 01:18:01 PM »

Hello All,

I'm trying to find some contact info on particular subvets and hope one of you might have some leads for me.

1)  I'm looking for officers/crewmen that served on Cavalla's (SS244) 1st patrol.

2)  I'm looking for officers/crewmen that served on Albacore's (SS218) 9th patrol.  It is my understanding that Albacore was overdue, presumed lost during her 11th patrol...so I'm hoping some from the 9th patrol were transferred off the boat.

Any contact info, if available, is appreciated.

Thanks!

Mark Allen

14

Submarine Related Chatter / Another New Book

« on: March 22, 2011, 10:57:23 PM »

Stumbled across this new book @ Amazon.com:

Surface and Destroy: The Submarine Gun War in the Pacific

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0813129966

Just bought my copy   

Mark

15

Submarine Related Chatter / New Book: Battle Surface

« on: January 19, 2011, 10:41:08 PM »

Lawson P. "Red" Ramage and the War Patrols of the USS Parche

Coming out this May, 2011

http://www.usni.org/store/books/history/battle-surface

Some good summer reading.

Mark