Topics

1

USS Cobia (SS-245) / DECK LOGS

« on: April 07, 2008, 03:35:46 PM »

Boy what a controversial subject.  Critics of deck logs often complain they are not always factual accounts of events that happened.  Omissions of some events, and massaging of other events.  Let me express my viewpoints and opinions of deck logs:
1.  Some commanders were natural born authors, more like artists than writers, while others possesed lesser degree of skill.
2.  Lack of or little information was known at the time the log was written.
3.  Necessary massaging to avoid reprimands or criticism by certain groups of superiors.
4.  The skippers couldn't be everywhere on the sub during an event, and had to rely heavilly on input from their crew.
While these four items are not all inclusive I take them into consideration when viewing deck logs.  I also prefer to read deck logs that have inserts added by the commanders, crew members and Techs. at a later time via conversations and interviews etc.  An example of this was the posting I recently did here on the "Burial at Sea" of Ralph Huston.

With all this said and to illistrate a classic example I offer the following from the deck log of USS Cobia.  This was taken from Jerry Calenberg's book "The USS Cobia at War".  The log showed only the following simple entry the year was 1944

April 4  Moved to degausing slip

[Tecch note:  The metal of the ship, while it is being built, stands in one position for a long time; and thusly becomes magnatized from the earth's magnetic lodestone located in northern Canada.  this makes the ship vulnerable to magnetic mines and torpedoes.  By draping electrical cables around the ship and energizing them for a short period of time it de-magnetizes the ship.]

[Becker:  The first landing I made, we were coming in to the degausing pier and coming along very slowly, everything was under control.  I had read that you put your conning tower next to the office when you were in proper position there so instead of looking at the bow I was looking at the office as we came up.  Suddenly, from up forward somebody hollered, "ten feet, five feet...." and about the time the bow went into the cage bar that crossed the head of the slip.  There was a head located there, and there was a guy in there sitting on the throne.  And the first thing you know there was a submarine bull nose in there with him.  And he came out with his pants at half mast hollerin like hell.  Well, nobody got hurt.  On checking I found out where I was supposed to put the conning tower next to the office was at Newport.]  wrong port

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USS Cobia (SS-245) / BOY SCOUTS AND OTHER EVENTS

« on: April 03, 2008, 07:29:38 PM »

Most all of the museums have a variety of ongoing events such as educational programs, group events and sleepover nights, anniversary dates, various crew reunions, memorial services , holiday events, etc.  Being an old time Scout, one event I always look forward to at the Cobia is the overnight program with the Boy Scouts aboard.  The Cobia Amateur Radio Club often gives the scouts a slide show presentation, and a short trainnig session on radio operations to help them with their merit badge requirements, and finally an opportunity to talk to other Hams on the air live from the Submarine.  We also give then a certificate as an honorary crew member of the Cobia.  Some of my Museum Ship friends;  like the aircraft carriers Lexington and Yorktown do this same thing on an ongoing basis.  They often have 100 or so scouts on a sleep over or scout jamboree.  I tell them no way to get a hundred scouts on a submarine unless it is a V Boat.  We get only 25 or so at one time.  We may not be the biggest but we strive to be the best.  I will try to put several attachments to show what a great group the present day Boy Scouts represent.  I will call your attention to the photo of the scouts on deck doing a hand salute while the flag was being raised.  About half way up the ropes got tangled, and those scouts held their salute for a good 3 to 4 minutes, while the rope got untangled.  If the files get too large for my dial up connection I will do a couple of posts.  Just my way of adding a little diversity to the forum.  If you feel this sort of post has any merit let me know.
K0EFV          

3

USS Cobia (SS-245) / THE 28 BOATS FROM MANITOWOC

« on: March 29, 2008, 01:40:03 PM »

I plan to add things to this topic on an ongoing basis.  So this is the first but not the last.  In looking at some old files and I was reminded of the USS Greenville incident with the Japanese fishing boat Ehime Maru a few years back.  I made myself very unpopular with some Navy and Marine Corps people in some remarks I made at the time  (Mar 2000) when 19 Marine bodies were recovered and returned home from Makin Island.  I will put some of those remarks below. in this post, but I will be doing another posting under "Marines and Submariners" soon regarding the "MAKIN RAID" (1942) by the USS Nautilus SS-168,, USS Argonaut SS-166,and the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion.  That's another story in itself so enough on that.

My remarks as follows:
"The recent submarine accident off Hawai resulted in the sinking of a Japanese fishing boat, and the loss of NINE Japanese sailors has demonstrated once again the American attitude of the nineties.  First an immediate investigation of the commander and crew of the Greenville.  (Probably similar to that of the  ill fated USS Indianapolis). Then a formal  apology to the Japanese Government, with  financial aid to the families of the fishermen, and the boat owners. And finally assume responsibility for the recovery and return of the bodies of the NINE fisherman".  Well that's exactly what we did.

"If the Japanese government will give us a formal apology for the execution by beheading NINE  Marine POW's from the Makin Raid;  AND if the Japanese will recover and return to us the NINE bodies of the Marines buried on Kwajalein Island, AND make financial compensation to their families.  THEN  and only then should we abide by their demands regarding the fishing boat".

Enough of the soap box, and back to the USS Mero
K0EFV Tom USMC  

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Museum Submarine Discussion / LAST MANITOWOC SUBMARINE

« on: March 22, 2008, 11:07:46 AM »

As you may know Manitowoc built 28 Subs during WWII.  The last remaining sub available for the museum was the USS REDFIN SS-272.  You may also recall that when enough funding was not raised the Redfin was scrappred.  The USS Cobia SS-245 was almost identical in construction to the Manitowoc subs, and was accepted by the Museum.  The USS Rasher SS-272, was decommisioned in the 70's and scrapped however the conning tower was removed and used for display on the east coast somewhere.  Due to consruction of that site the conning tower was offered to the Wisconsin Museum.  I remembered that I had taken some photos of it shortly after it arrived.  It is now in temporary storage and the Museum plans to place it as a memorial some place at the museum location.  The peiriscope of the Rasher is permanently installed in the museum for visitors to look thru.  They also have her Bell and several other items on display.  The Rasher ,I believe, had the 2nd highest record for tonnage sunk in WWII, and continued to serve thru the Korean War and beyond.  I thought I would share this bit of history with you.
K0EFV Tom USMC   

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Submarine Related Chatter / 52 LOST BOATS

« on: March 18, 2008, 05:22:35 PM »

Each state was assigned to establish a memorial to a lost sub with New York and California being assigned two submarines.  Iowa was assigned S-36 (SS-141).  For many years Iowa was the only state without an official memorial for their boat.  I had tried for several years to correct this situation with little or no success.  I am happy to announce that the USSVI group in Iowa finally accomplished the mission.  A beautiful monument was installed and dedicated on the State Capitol Grounds this past June.  I salute each and every member for their dedication and hard work in getting the job done.  I will attach a photo of the monument and the dedication.  Although no crew members were lost on the S-36, one only has to read the deck logs of her final few days to appreciate what the crew had to endure in their futile attempts to save the S-36..

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USS Cobia (SS-245) / INSIDE PHOTOS

« on: March 18, 2008, 12:28:43 PM »

I will be posting more photos to this topic soon.  I think I have about 20 to get scanned for posting.  To start off first this will be one of the head.  I found the flushing instructions some place for the NAUTILUS SS-168.  They had been sent to rescue a number of Catholic Nuns, probably from the Phillipines.  I couldn't resist adding it here.  I always liked Dex's writings about The sub's Head.
K0EFV Tom USMC

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USS Cobia (SS-245) / BURIAL AT SEA

« on: March 17, 2008, 08:30:59 PM »

Test to see if we can post larger size files:
The USS Cobia has the distinction of being the only submarine to conduct a burial at sea of a crew member KIA from their deck during World WarII.  A distinction but a very sad one to say the least.  The crew member's name was Ralph Clark Huston Jr.  Listed below are excerpts from the book "The COBIA at WAR", Deck log and fellow crewmembers remarks.
 
Feb 26, 1945
1638  Went to battle stations,manned deck guns, and put four engines on line.  Gun attack-1,114-06
[Starmer: Huston was a very sharp, intelligent young man.  as he came by me word was passed
down for the gun crew to wear foul weather jackets Huston couldn't find his or it wasn't
available and I handed him mine to wear topside.]
1822 Machine gun fire from the target had been wild and inefective, But he got one good burst in.
This burst wounded 20mm loader seriously, Huston R.C. Jr. S1c, USNR, wounded with one
shell in left upperarm and another entering left rib cage.  [Mahanes I looked up and saw Ralph
when he was hit.  He looked right at me and screamed.  He took a slug just below the armpit. ]
[Pelton: I was the one that picked Huston up and carried him thru the door and handed him
down the hatch.]  [Starmer I waited for him to be lowered thru the conning tower at the end of
the control room.  He looked at me and said, "Look what those bastards did to your jacket
Doc"!  He never uttered another word after that.]
1847 Target sank.  Huston appeared to be dying.  [Mahanes: The Doc knew he was beyond help
with what he had to work with.  He was given drugs to relieve his pain.  The Doc felt helpless
and we all had tears.]
Feb 27
0534 Huston Ralph Clark Jr. 755-96-96-S1c, USNR died of wounds received in gun action.
1800 Slowed to one third speed, 06-02S/114-00E.  Commited remains of Huston to the deep.
[Mahanes: Ralph was wrapped in several matress covers and his feet were weighted down with
heavy fire bricks.  A board or slab was needed to slide the body into the sea.  somebody
came up with the idea to use the door off the head.]  [Starmer: We took it off, and took it
topside.]  [Madigan: We played a record of TAPS when we did this.]  [Pelton: 6 men holding the
door the Captain and firing squad.]  [Stewart: When he slid into the water he was wrapped
in the American Flag, and that went in too.]  [Mahanes: The Captain conducted A Christian
burial service that couldn't have been any finer had it been held at Arlington National Cemetery.]

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Submarine Related Chatter / Marines and Submariners

« on: March 05, 2008, 12:11:40 PM »

This will be my first attempt to post a message hope I can follow instructions.  I have been asked several times what My "Band of Brothers" is all about.  It is a small group of Marines, Submariners, and Corpsmen that I am, or have been associated with.  As you know Marines call each other "Brother"  We also call Corpsmen and Submariners "Brother" for very good reasons.  It is an honor they well deserve by me and all Marines.  My reply to the uninformed who say "the only Good Marine is a Submarine"  is please check out my "Band of Brothers Fraternity".  You will find their definition of Good is as follows:
A Good Marine Honors, Respects, and Associates with Submariners and Corpsmen.
A Good Submariner Honors, Respects, and Associates with Marines.
They also live my our Mottos "Brothers Forever",  "Pride Runs Deep", and "The Few The Proud".
I will also include a quote with this message that should help explain my reasons.

General Holland "Howlin Mad Smith" Smith USMC
"I have always been proud of the relationship between MARINES and SUBMARINERS.  A LINK exists between them, much more intimate than the prefix suggests and this link was FORGED in the heat of the Pacific War.  Submarines played an important role in amphibious undertakings.  The MARINES owe a large measure of success achieved in our aasault on the Japanese Empire to the SUBMARINE Force".  The LINK the General refers to was forged at the cost of many brave MARINES and SUBMARINERS.  It still exists today, and has beem REINFORCED many times since World WarII.