SUBMARINEMUSEUMS.ORG Forum

Individual Submarine Boards => USS Batfish (SS-310) => Topic started by: Shipwreck on November 20, 2008, 07:39:30 PM

Title: Batfish Bell
Post by: Shipwreck on November 20, 2008, 07:39:30 PM
So, I have a design for a new memorial eternal patrol walk and would love to incorporate the Batfish bell in it.  I don't think we have it.  Where is the bell?

Or

How/who would be a good place to start looking/asking?

B
Title: Re: Batfish Bell
Post by: Paul Farace on November 20, 2008, 11:10:01 PM
First place to ask is the Naval Historical Center at the Washington Navy Yard, curator branch. Frank Thompson is the man to see!

Good luck! COD's has been missing for 50 years!

Paul  :'(
Title: Re: Batfish Bell
Post by: Ctwilley on November 20, 2008, 11:42:09 PM
The only thing that I can help with is that the bells were all removed early on in accordance with Naval Order No. whatever. The thought was that while surface ships would looking for subs using hydrophones, having a bell clanking around under water wouldn't be the wisest move. What they did with them after that, I'm not sure.
Title: Re: Batfish Bell
Post by: Rick on November 21, 2008, 01:55:40 PM
I already talked to Frank on this issue.  It is not known where the Batfish SS310 bell is located.  If we can find out.  I would love to have it.   The Batfish SS 681 is at the NHC.  We are trying to get it back.   
Rick
Title: Re: Batfish Bell
Post by: Darrin on November 21, 2008, 01:57:00 PM
The ships bells were taken with them under way and stored onboard, normally the striker ball was taken out and kept in the case with the bell. When the ships are decommed their bell and other historical items go to the Navy yard in DC for storage and possible further use, the USS Honolulu CL 48 (WWII Light Cruiser) was decommed in '46-47 and scrapped in '47 and her silver place settings were sent to the Navy yard and when the USS Honolulu SSN 718 (Scrapped '08) was commissioned we recieved the CL 48's silver for special occasion usage, while we stored it in an offsite location we very rarely used it at all and I can only assume that it was sent back along with our bell and other items from the boat to the Navy yards.