SUBMARINEMUSEUMS.ORG Forum
Individual Submarine Boards => USS Batfish (SS-310) => Topic started by: Jim on April 13, 2013, 05:23:17 PM
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Today, Mark Allen, Mark Sarsfield and myself discovered something that hasn't been seen in approximately four decades! The starboard stern plane and screw shaft (some) and the bearings housing. This dig was in preperation for the Muskogee PW department to back-hoe dig both the planes and the rudder from under the dirt/sand after 40 years. Specifically we were looking for the electric lines that are run over the screw stub and near the planes. We didn't want them to find that the hard way. Enjoy the pics!
First pic is Mark and Mark as we get started looking for the outlines.
The second pic is headless Mark and Mark as we get close to finishing up for the day with the plane outline exposed. We're not sure what the vertical surfaces on the outside edges of the plane are. Our best guess is protection during the upriver shipping phase. The left to right angle iron will be removed, it was also for shipping. The horizontal edge of the angle was at ground level when we started. The hole is deceiving as it runs uphill towards the camera. The hole ranges from two feet forward to almost 4 feet aft. The plane itself is also at about a 10-15 degree "surface the ship" angle.
Third pic is an overhead of the exposed gear in great shape for 40 years under dirt.
The old girl started to roll over so Mark A. put a stop to that!
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Man, you guys are dedicated. Good work!
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We were happy to see how intact she was, but I wasn't totally surprised. The ground isn't very acidic and the cathodic system seems to be doing its job.
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See....
I have been saying it all along that we all will be pleasantly surprised when we get to see her undercarrage. The last time this portion of the boat has been exposed was in 1986 during the centinial flood. I am happy to see the dive planes exposed and am looking forward to the developement of this project.
Rick
Former Park Manager
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a HUGE bravo Zulu goes out to the crew on the Batfish for the work that they just did, the Starboard Stern Plane looks amazing after being in the ground for the time that it has... You guys rock
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A few more shots.
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I am sad to convey that the prior and current management as well as the board of directors of the Park have let the small hole that we started in April of 2013 (shown in the above pictures) become such a massive sink hole that it has eroded into the main support piling for the boarding bridge. The Batfish is no longer safe to board and is currently closed to visitors. There is no plan in place to reverse this course. :(
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"Drone" flyover showing the hole.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elNaXo1UWwU&feature=youtu.be&list=UUpC0AdcWY4A-HIRT0SkX3kg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elNaXo1UWwU&feature=youtu.be&list=UUpC0AdcWY4A-HIRT0SkX3kg)
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Mark S, W I feel your pain regarding the status of the Batfish and her new sink hole. We talked about similar stuff regarding digging around her a year or so and I thought that Brent had been reading up on what had gone on prior to him after taking over the directors position, it turns out apparently he didn't and it also sounds like the board members really don't care.
What a shame because now they will be losing money due to not being able to let the tourist's get onboard and see all of the great work you all did.
Sad day indeed,
Darrin
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Everyone, go back to sleep. There's nothing to see here.... :buck2:
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Everyone, go back to sleep. There's nothing to see here.... :buck2:
Unfortunately...true...
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And sadly I now have to agree that there is nothing to see there :'(
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Sad!
Can it be repaired for visitors again?
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Lance,
Yes it can be fixed, it does make me wonder how the deep the original hole was compared to what it is now. Reason behind that is now there is an erosion problem that can be fixed without much problem it however will take money and people to do the work.
And from what we all have seen on here in the recent past is there aren't any volunteers to do the work and the museum isn't putting money where it needs to be spent. It apparently was easier for them just to close the boat and forget about it for the time being and hopefully they catch it before it becomes too much more of an issue
Darrin
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Apparently this was fixed about a month ago and she has reopened
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Apparently this was fixed about a month ago and she has reopened
Well, yes and no. They didn't fix it, they mearly filled the entire hole back in, planes and all. Before, the planes had silt support under them to support them but they and the rudder were being torqued as the water table moved and the Batfish moved/rolled from heat (east to west sun and weather conditions) . With the hole filled in, I am very sure they didn't pack back under the planes so now there is extra weight on top of the planes and no support below them. It is par for the Batfish course. Don't take the time to understand the problem before it is "fixed"....... :-X
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Sounds like potential disaster zone before this time next year if the problems aren't addressed.
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If they're lucky the spring rains will create a sinkhole and wash the sandy loam back under the planes. Odds are low but..... :idiot2: