Messages

1

Museum Submarine Discussion / General Information Book

« on: August 21, 2017, 10:44:24 PM »

A couple of years ago, I came across the General Information Book for SS310 which I have since digitized. The book was a comprehensive hand over hand completed in July of 1955. There's a ton of good information in there. If there's any general info that's lacking, makers of individual pieces of equipment, various systems, schematics, electrical draws of galley equipment, and etc. just let me know and I'll share. The files are too big to email so we'll see what we can do.

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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: Balao length

« on: August 21, 2017, 10:35:45 PM »

One thing to keep in mind is that every boat was a smidge different. The SS310 (Batfish) was 311' 9-9/16".

Thankfully, I have an original General Information Book for our boat.
Here are our specs.

Length: 311' 9-9/16"
Length Between Perpendiculars: 311' 1-9/16"
Length of LWL (Condition N): 307'
Beam, Extreme (12 feet AB): 27' 3-1/4"
Beam, Molded (12 feet AB): 27' 1-3/4"
Depth, Molded Amidships, FR 69: 22' 11-3/8"
Freeboard at Bow (Condition N): 12' 6"
Freeboard at Stern (Condition N): 6' 8-5/8"

3

USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: BLHA

« on: June 06, 2017, 02:21:19 AM »

I haven't posted on this thread in about 7 years so what the hell...here's an update.

The Batfish Living History Association is now in its 10th year. Our living history crew continues to grow and pour life into our ol girl. Many of the crew are nearing 100 days of 24-hour life aboard. I recently hit 160. Many of these guys are starting to get near the equivalent of two patrols...and it shows. They have an understanding of this boat that makes me smile.

Here's to another 10 years of this program! 

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USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Vandalism at the Batfish

« on: June 06, 2017, 02:07:35 AM »

No one has posted an update on here in a while and I wanted to mention the newest fix to the vandalism problem. Volunteers have created new doors for the Fwd Battery area. They are square stock with mesh grate on the bottom and a small lock at the top. They still have plexi windows over half the height but it's MUCH better than what was originally in there. They are also lightweight and easy to remove for living history programming.

5

USS Cavalla (SS-244) / Headed Your Way

« on: May 20, 2013, 09:14:08 PM »

I finally get to come down and see the Big "C" and the Stewart! I'll be there on Friday the 31st to look around!!!!

I'm also ready to put some faces with the people I've talked to for so long.

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School of the Boat / Re: School of the Boat (21 Jan 2013) - Plumbing System

« on: February 07, 2013, 11:10:57 AM »

The first pic is the infamous metal box.

The second is the hatch.

The third shows our two access hatches for the san. tank.

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School of the Boat / Re: School of the Boat (21 Jan 2013) - Plumbing System

« on: February 07, 2013, 10:43:45 AM »

Ooooook. We apparently never thought to look under the metal box. Lifted the cover and under an inch of dirt, there she was.

The catch is, it now has a triple weld (or so it appears under so many layers of paint).

Next I went into the FER lower deck. There they were, not just one but TWO access hatches. If that weren't enough, ours doesn't have anything attached to them and there's about 3 feet of clear space around them! 

I'll post pics when I get them uploaded.

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School of the Boat / Re: School of the Boat (21 Jan 2013) - Plumbing System

« on: February 06, 2013, 12:22:31 PM »

I'm headed over today to look at the access covers. There's a rudimentary metal box/step under and forward of the WTD between the FER and AB. I wonder if the end of our long search is just under that box? 

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School of the Boat / Re: SO should we revisit the school of the boat once more?

« on: January 21, 2013, 11:06:19 AM »

Darren,

Even if no one is up for another School of the Boat, please please please leave the thread up. The information contained within is invaluable, not only as a reference to the text, but the firsthand knowledge that's posted with it. I've found myself using it as a quick-reference now and again when I can't remember the answer to a question that I have. Click...click...and there's the answer. 

10

Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: Water and San Line Help

« on: November 23, 2011, 12:03:16 AM »

Please do! It sounds ingenious!

11

Website Updates and Off-Topic Discussion / New Display

« on: November 21, 2011, 07:06:16 PM »

If any of you are near the Oklahoma area, you should head to Oklahoma City. On December 5th, the Oklahoma History Center will be unveiling a new Pearl Harbor display. Unbeknownst to many, the OHC houses a great many U.S.S. Oklahoma items to include the stern letters, officer's silver serving set, uniforms, and even a piece of the hull removed during the recovery. Just an FYI for those interested.

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Museum Submarine Discussion / Re: Water and San Line Help

« on: November 21, 2011, 05:13:41 PM »

Here's the $100,000 question...what is the best way to have the honey wagon empty the san tank? With our boat on land, access through any hatch is going to require 150 feet of hose at least. It might have to empty it from the stern as they don't like to drive next to the boat due to the soft sand.

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Museum Submarine Discussion / Water and San Line Help

« on: November 16, 2011, 03:47:06 PM »

On the Batfish, we've started a hand over hand on the water and san lines. Most appear in good condition...at least prior to pressure testing.
The toilets aren't on the list of restoration as of yet so we're drying to decide how to drain the san lines from grey water without dumping into the san tanks. Any ideas?

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USS Silversides (SS-236) / Re: Save the Silversides!

« on: November 16, 2011, 03:36:46 PM »

So, how does the Silver-lady get her engines started? Do you have your air compressors up? I was able to look our over on the Bat and there are quite a few parts stripped.

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USS Batfish (SS-310) / Re: Batfish Deck

« on: December 29, 2010, 10:07:16 AM »

Well, now that I work for the museum up the road, I'll be able to stop by and help a little more often.