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Puget Soundings
Bremerton-Base Submarine Veteran’s Quarterly Newsletter
By Submariners—For Submariners and Friends
Vol. 19 Issue 1
Bremerton Base, PO Box 465, Silverdale, WA 98383-0465 Jan—Mar 2015
USSVI Purpose and Creed
To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country.
That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments.
Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and it’s Constitution.
That's our CREED, but it's not who we are. We are United States Submarine Sailors! We were, and are, members of the
elite fighting force of the United States Navy. We are all QUALIFIED IN SUBMARINES. Included are submariners from
the very early boats: S, R or earlier; WWII boats; post-war GUPPY boats and FBM and Fast Attack Submariners.
All Qualified in Submarines from E2 to 4 Stars. Retired, short timer, or active duty - it makes no difference. If you are
Qualified in Submarines we want you in United States Submarine Veterans. Inc.
Point your browser to http://gertrude-check.org/archives.html for a color copy with
more definition than this printed black and white copy!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Pg. 1 USSVI Purpose and Creed
Pg. 7 USS Bonefish (SS 223)
Pg. 13 When You Understand
Pg. 2 Officers and Committee Members
Pg. 8 A Gift to KRL
Pg. 13 Tolling of the Boats
Pg. 3 Base Boosters
Pg. 9 Ensign Joe Hanisko
Pg. 14 Commercial Advertisers
Pg. 3 From the Editor
Pg. 9 Dolphin Dash
Pg. 15 Scholarship Application
Pg. 3 Veteran Resources
Pg. 10 February General Membership Meeting
Pp. 15 Treasurer's Report/Base Membership
Pg. 3 Stay in the Loop
Pg. 11 February E-Board Minutes
Pp. 15 Base Calendar
Pg. 4 2015 National Convention
Pg. 11 Blogs and Others
Pg. 16 Soup Down Schedule
Pg. 5 USS Bonefish (SS 223)
Pg. 12 January Base Minutes
Pg. 16 Advertiser Rates
Pg. 6 USS Bonefish (SS 223)
Pg. 12 Facebook
Digital Edition Follows
Please Pass This Issue to Another Submariner
Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and
you'll have to pee
Commander
Jim DeMott
360-895-0547
jedemott@hotmail.com
Holland Club
Chairman
Dick Litscher
360-373-1838
nolitch@comcast.net
stephenjcorcoran@ gmail.com
Bonefish Manager
NWCPOA Rep
Sam Swenson
360-275-3638
sswenson@ tscnet.com
Past Commander
David Niemy
360-692-5122
Fireworks Chairman
Mike Friend
360-308-0594
ssbnswo@aol.com
mfriendz28@hotmail.com
Chief of the Boat
Wayne Peterson
360-265-0266
Scholarship Chairman
John Gardner
360-692-8994
bronc4life@yahoo.com
Jgardner@ donobi.com
Secretary
Wayne Sieckowski
360-362-2064
Base Webmaster
Don “Red” Bassler
360-602-0250
wsieckowski@gmail,com
up-scope@wavecable.com
Treasurer
Membership Chairman
Dennis Nardone
360-830-5843
FaceBook
Dale McVey
360-981-1167
dale.mcvey@gmail.com
dnardone@wavecable.com
Chaplain
Fred Borgmann
360-337-2978
Historian
Bob Paul
360-692-0165
office@ussvi.org
bobpaul98312@hotmail.com
Storekeeper
Ralph W. Harris
360-876-0830
Western District 4
Commander
Al Durkee
360-569-0507
rwharris@wavecable.com
durkeeal@ earthlink.net
http://gertrude-check.org/baseofficials.html
2
USS Virginia (SSN 774) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Virginia_(SSN-774)
OFFICERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Vice Commander
Steve Corcoran
360-471-2704
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
Bremerton Base Boosters — 2015
Rig for Dive
Periscope Depth
Battle Stations
Deep Submergence
$1 - $19.99
$20.00 - $29.99
$30.00 - $49.99
$50.00 - $99.00
Unit Citation
$100.00 +
Go to page 8 to continue
http://gertrude-check.org/boosters.htm
From the Editor
Volume 19 Issue 2 (Apr-May-Jun 2015) will be published in May 2015 to coincide with
other publications—the due date for input is Apr 30, 2015.
 Throwback to the Bonefish—worth another read
 Header Humor provided by Hank Hollis
 Read about Virginia Class submarines in the footers
 Soup Down Photos and Ever A Submariner in the Digital Edition
Dave Pittman drpittman@wavecable.com
Veteran Resources—Washington
(MAD) Kitsap 28 Mar 360-692-6800
Vets Stand Down - Forks 07 May 360-417-2383\640-0296\302-1285
(RAD) @JB Lewis-McChord 15 May 253-966-5881\5884\982-3214
Vets Resource Fair - Tacoma 30 May 253-569-3879\206-802-5578
Vets Stand Down - Port Townsend 27 July 360-417-2383\640-0296\302-1285
Vets Stand Down - Port Angeles 01 Oct 360-417-2383\640-0296\302-1285
Stay in the Loop
The Gertrude Check (Bremerton Base website) - current information on base activities, members, online news, and calendar http://gertrude-check.org/
 Bremerton Base Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bremerton-Base-USSVI/295687423906027
 USSVI website https://www.ussvi.org/home.asp

3
USS Texas (SSN 775) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Texas_(SSN-775)
Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible place in the universe.
http://www.ussviconventionsteelcity2015.org/
John D. “Bud” Hawk Post 109 Silverdale, WA
https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost109SilverdaleWa
Monthly meeting—7:00 pm on the 3rd Monday of each month at All Star Lanes in
Silverdale. Questions? Send an email to drpittman@wavecable.com
4
USS Hawaii (SSN 776) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Hawaii_(SSN-776)
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
USS Bonefish (SS-223)
The name, USS Bonefish (SS-223), the 51st of 52 submarines lost in World War II was assigned to Washington State by the United States Submarine Veterans of WWII. (Each state was assigned a lost submarine
name, except California and New York, who were assigned two each.) Bonefish was lost with all hands
(85) on June 18, 1945
Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 25 June 1942, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 7
March 1943; Commissioned USS Bonefish (SS-223), 31 May 1943; Final Disposition, sunk on 8th patrol
by Japanese warship in Toyama Wan, west coast of Honshu, 18 June 1945, all hands lost.; Struck from the
Naval Register, (date unknown). Bonefish received five Navy Unit Commendations and seven battle stars
during World War II.
Specifications:
Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.;
Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3";
Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts;
Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted;
Operating Depth, 300 ft;
Submerged Endurance, 48 hrs at 2 kts;
Patrol Endurance 75 days; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts;
Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 deck gun, two .50 cal. machine guns, two .30
cal. machine guns;
Propulsion, diesel electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator engines, HP 5400,
Fuel Capacity, 97,140 gals., four General Electric main motors, HP 2740, two 126-cell main storage batteries, twin propellers.
5
USS North Carolina (SSN 777) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_North_Carolina_(SSN-777)
Law of Probability -The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
USS Bonefish (SS-223)
First patrol, September – October 1943
On 25 September, Bonefish scored three hits on a freighter.Bonefish. On 27 September fired four torpedoes at the lead ship, the
largest of the five, and sank the 9,908-ton transport Kashima Maru. On 6 October, the boat approached a third convoy and
scored hits on two heavily laden cargo vessels. On 10 October, in her last action of the patrol, Bonefish fired a spread of four
torpedoes at two ships of a convoy off Indochina, sending both the 4,212-ton cargo ship Isuzugawa and the 10,086-ton transport
Teibi Maru to the bottom. Bonefish concluded her first war patrol back at Fremantle, Western Australia on 21 October.
Second patrol, November – December 1943
On 29 November Bonefish intercepted two enemy ships and fired four torpedoes. Two of the four, one hit amidships and another struck the freighter under her mainmast sent the 4,646-ton cargoship Suez Maru down rapidly by the stern. Unknown to
Bonefish, Suez Maru was carrying 546 British POWs. Minesweeper W.12 picked up the survivors. On 1 December, the Bonefish sighted a convoy of three ships with two escorts hugging the Celebes coast. In two separate attacks, the submarine scored a
hit on a large passenger-cargo ship Nichiryo Maru which later sank and another on a destroyer escort which apparently survived.. On 11 December, she surfaced to engage small cargo vessel Toyohime Maru with gunfire, scoring several hits before a
mechanical problem put her gun out of action.
Third patrol, January – March 1944
On 22 January, Bonefish encountered a large sailing vessel. The stranger's crew of seven acted suspiciously as the submarine
approached; and, despite repeated orders to do so, the crew refused to abandon ship. However, when Bonefish opened fire with
her machine guns, the natives leaped overboard. As the vessel began to sink, Japanese troops emerged from below decks; and
Bonefish counted 39 men going over the side. On 6 February, the submarine sighted a convoy composed of at least 17 ships.
Bonefish selected a large oiler as her primary target and launched four bow "fish" at it, and her crew heard explosions which
they interpreted as at least two hits on the oiler and one on the cargo ship. Nevertheless, it seems that neither target sank.
Fourth patrol, April – May 1944
On the 26th, Bonefish intercepted a convoy of four shipsand attack the Tokiwa Maru, sinking her with four torpedoes. Bonefish attacked a convoy in those waters on 7 May, firing four torpedoes at an escort vessel, but could not observe the results. On
14 May, Bonefish approached a convoy which was steaming off Tawitawi in the Philippines and headed for Sibutu Passage.
There were three tankers and three escorting destroyers in the group. She fired five torpedoes. One hit under the bridge of a
tanker and another struck under the stack, enveloping the ship in smoke and flames. The destroyers converged on Bonefish for
counterattack, but she escaped into the depths. Postwar records show that, while her torpedoes only damaged the tanker, they
sank one of the escorting destroyers, Inazuma.
6
USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Hampshire_(SSN-778)
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
USS Bonefish (SS-223)
Fifth patrol, June – August 1944
On 6 July, she surfaced to destroy a wooden-hulled schooner by gunfire. She then cleared the area and, the next day, engaged
and destroyed another small ship with gunfire. Later that same day, the boat fired eight torpedoes at a small cargo ship, scoring
several hits. On 8 July, she used her guns to touch off a blazing fire in a small, interisland steamer and, two days later, sank a
sampan with gunfire. On 29 July, Bonefish commenced tracking a large, but empty, tanker with escorts and, early the next
morning, gained a favorable attack position. She fired six torpedoes and scored four hits. The target, Kokuyo Maru, immediately settled by the stern,
Sixth patrol, September – October 1944
The Bonefish got underway on 5 September for the Sibuyan Sea. After three days there without encountering any enemy ships,
she departed those waters on 24 September. Four days later, while patrolling off Mindoro, the submarine sighted a large, heavily laden tanker escorted by two destroyers. She fired all of her bow torpedoes and heard and felt the hits on the 2,068-ton Japanese ship Anjo Maru. Bonefish tracked the target whose rapidly falling speed indicated her distress until the crippled tanker's
escorts forced the boat to retire. A postwar examination of Japanese records confirmed that Anio Maru sank later that day. On
13 October while en route to a lifeguard station, she sank cargo ship Fushimi Maru. On 18 October, the submarine rescued two
naval aviators.
Seventh patrol, March – May 1945
While on lifeguard duty off Korea's southern coast on 16 April, Bonefish rescued two Japanese aviators who had been shot
down by a Navy plane. On 7 May, the submarine returned to Apra Harbor, Guam, ending a short and unsuccessful patrol.
Eighth patrol, May – June 1945
The Bonefish got underway in company with Tunny (SS-282) and Skate (SS-305), she successfully threaded her way through
the minefields by Tsushima Island as she transited the Korea Strait to enter the Sea of Japan for an offensive patrol off the west
central coast of Honshū. During a rendezvous with Tunny on 16 June, Bonefish reported sinking Oshikayama Maru, a 6,892ton cargo ship. In a second rendezvous on 18 June, she requested and received permission to conduct a daylight submerged patrol of Toyama Wan, a bay farther up the Honshū coast. The attack group was to depart the Sea of Japan via La Perouse Strait
on the night of 24 June. Bonefish did not make the scheduled pre-transit rendezvous. Still, Tunny waited in vain off Hokkaidō
until the 27th. On 30 July, Bonefish was presumed lost. Japanese records reveal that the 5,488-ton cargo ship Konzan Maru was
torpedoed and sunk in Toyama Wan on 19 June and that an ensuing severe counterattack by Japanese escorts, the Okinawa, CD
-63, CD-75, CD-158 and CD-207, brought debris and a major oil slick to the water's surface. There can be little doubt that
Bonefish was sunk in this action.
7
USS New Mexico (SSN 779) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Mexico_(SSN-779)
Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal; someone always answers.
Press Release | United States Submarine Veterans’ Bremerton Base | January 28, 2015
US Submarine Men Lost During WWII, 6 Volume Set Gifted to Kitsap Regional Library (KRL)
By Don Bassler | Jan 27, 2015
Bremerton Submarine Veterans presented a six volume set of US Submarine Men Lost During
WWII to KRL, Downtown Bremerton Branch Manager. L-R: Subvets Wayne Sieckowski, Don
BREMERTON – The United States Submarine Veterans’ Bremerton Base gifted a six volume set of the”
UNITED STATES SUBMARINE MEN LOST DURING WORLD WAR II, Edition 5” to the Kitsap Regional Library (KRL). The set will reside in the Downtown Bremerton Branch for use in-house research.
KRL information maybe acquired at www.krl.org.
All the submarine men who died during WWII have been researched and their records recorded in this
six volume publication.
This gift echoes the submarine veterans’ purpose “To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave
their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country.”
Bremerton Subvet information may be viewed at http://gertrude-check.org/ .
8
USS Missouri (SSN 780) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Missouri_(SSN-780)
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
Ensign Joe Hanisko
Dolphin Dash
Repair Officer
USS Chancellorsville CG-62
Submariner Joe to surface in Yokosuka!
This is A Captain's Cup Event
5KAND 10K RUNS, 1 MILERUN/WALK
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Naval Base Kitsap Bangor
Cost and Registration—Prior to April 9th
$15.00 donation, no shirt.
$40.00 Immediate Family entries received together.
(no shirts)
Cost and Registration—April 9th & later
$18.00 each donation, no shirt
Shirts are long sleeve unique Submarine design.
Cost $10.00
Shirts not guaranteed for race-day registrations.
Joe Hanisko, pictured with his sister, graduated from
OCS on February 27th and was commissioned as an
Ensign. Joe is currently in San Diego where he will
undergo 2 months of Basic Division Officer training
before reporting to USS Chancellorsville CG-62 as
the Repair Officer. This summer the ship will change
homeport to Yokosuka, Japan.
9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m.
Registration and number pickup in Bldg. 2700 (the
gym).
10:00A.M.
5K starts at 1000 in front of gym
1 Mile and 10K start 5 minutes after 5K
Pre-registration required by April S'" for
10K course is hilly 5K course is moderately hilly
Proceeds benefit the Bremerton Base, Submarine
Veterans Scholarship Program.
Registration Form
http://gertrude-check.org/ddashreg.pdf
https://www.ussvi.org/AS_Past_2015.asp
9
USS California (SSN 781) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_California_(SSN-781)
Law of the Bath -When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone will ring.
February General Membership Meeting
and Breakfast with Rick Anderson, from
Amazement Productions.
In the twenty-five plus years Rick has been
in the Puget Sound area, he has developed a
reputation as one of the finest magical entertainers in the area. In a regional competition he took home the crown as the Pacific
Coast Comedy Magic Champion. He has
entertained at events for Fort Lewis Army
Base, McChord Air Force Base, Dunes Hotel Las Vegas, Microsoft, Sheraton Hotels,
M&M Mars Corp, and the City of Tacoma,
among others.
10
USS Mississippi (SSN 782) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mississippi_(SSN-782)
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
Minutes of the Bremerton Base USSVI
E-Board Meeting conducted 7 February 2014
0900 Base Commander Jim DeMott called the meeting to order
Board Members present: Base Commander Jim DeMott
Base Vice Cmdr. Steve Corcoran
Base Secretary Wayne Sieckowski
Base Treasurer Dennis Nardone
Past Base Commander Dave Niemy
Others attending the meeting included Scholarship and Parade
Chairman John Gardner, Float Chairman Sam Swenson, Base
Storekeeper Ralph Harris, Deterrent Park and Gertrude Check
Chairperson Don Bassler
The minutes of the previous E-Board meeting were discussed
and approved as written.
also has 17 dink members who still owe dues and will be
dropped from the membership at the end of the month.
Float Chairman Sam Swenson has not heard from the CPOA
on the Float repairs. If he doesn’t hear from the CPOA he will
start doing the needed repairs.
Base Storekeeper reports he has $7,948.00 in inventory and
$103.00 cash on hand and checking account balance
$1,287.14. They made $195.00 at TTF.
John Gardner reports the Dolphin Dash will be April 11. He
will check with the Navy League to find out their plans for the
USS Bremerton’s visit.
Vice Cmdr. Steve Corcoran reminded everyone about the upcoming breakfast meeting on Feb 21 2015 at the American
Legion on Kitsap Way. He is always in need of speakers for
the Membership Meetings. Rick Anderson a Magical Comedian will be the guest speaker at the breakfast meeting.
Base Cmdr. Jim DeMott made a motion to place a ¼ page ad
in the National Convention Magazine. The motion was approved. Dennis will scan and take care of the ad.
Meeting was adjourned at 1000.
Base Treasurer Dennis Nardone reports the Base’s worth as of Wayne Sieckowski
31 January 2015 is $75,774.50. Current Base Membership is
Base Secretary
283. Dennis reported he has renewed the non-profit forms. He
Blogs and Others
The Lean Submriner http://theleansubmariner.com/
Seattle USSVI Base http://seattlebase.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-october-dolphin-brotherhood.html
Dan the Navy Man http://danthenavyman.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-comes-around-goes-around.html
The Old Coot http://theoldcoot.blogspot.com/
Cold is the Sea http://coldisthesea.blogspot.com/
Duffel blog http://www.duffelblog.com/
Lest We Forget https://athabaskang07.wordpress.com/
TenderTale http://www.tendertale.com/
Submariners World http://submarinersworld.blogspot.com/
SubmarinersWorldTV https://www.youtube.com/user/
SubmarinersWorldTV
PigBoats http://www.pigboats.com/
11
USS Minnesota (SSN 783) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Minnesota_(SSN-783)
Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you
are in now.
Minutes of the Bremerton Base USSVI
Meeting conducted 17 January 2014
Base minutes may be viewed at
http://gertrude-check.org/archives.html
Base Commander, Jim DeMott called the Jan. 17, 2015 meeting
to order at 1000 hours.
Opening observances were conducted.
Dale McVey the Facebook coordinator reports our facebook
page has 100 likes.
Vice Cmdr. Steve Corcoran is always in need of speakers for the
membership meetings. The annual budget was approved by the
E-Board and thanks the members of the Ways and Means Committee .
Scott Fusco Kaps for Kids coordinator will contact Harrison
Hospital to see if there is any interest.
Chief of the Boat Wayne Peterson reports the Christmas Party
will be Dec. 12, 2015 at the Bremerton Elks.
The minutes of the Dec. 2014 meeting were approved as submit- Base Cmdr. Jim DeMott discussed the need for a Fireworks
Chairman. He reminded everyone that Feb. 21 2015 will be the
ted.
Breakfast meeting at the American Legion on Kitsap Way. Doug
The Base Treasurer Dennis Nardone reports the base has
McKay has volunteered to cook breakfast. Rick Anderson a
$76,407.03 in various accounts. Dennis also reported the base
magical comedian will be the guest speaker. Jim also informed
has 281 members.
Base Storekeeper Ralph Harris has numerous items for sale plus the membership the E-Board has approved a $1,000.00 donation
to the Chicago Submarine Memorial. He also asked everyone to
this month he has flag pins.
check their personal information on the national website to enSam Swenson, the Float Coordinator reports the float is in storsure it is correct.
age for the winter.
Doug McKay won $49.00 in the 50/50 drawing and Scotty
John Gardner the Scholarship Chairman has copies of this year’s
Fusco won a coffee cup.
scholarship application.
1045 The business meeting was adjourned and the movie
Dick Litscher Holland Club Chairman has 13 members to induct
“Rickover the birth of nuclear power” was shown to those interinto the Holland Club in 2015.
ested.
Don Bassler Deterrent Park Chairperson reported he has 9 bricks
to install. Don will always accept articles for Gertrude-check.
Respectfully submitted,
He has received the set of books, “U.S. Submarine Men Lost in
Wayne Sieckowski
WWII”, Edition 5 and got them stamped saying the Base is doBase Secretary
nating them to the Kitsap Regional Library..
Facebook (log in to your account first)
Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic https://www.facebook.com/SUBLANT
Commander, Submarine Force Pacific https://www.facebook.com/SUBPAC
U.S. Pacific Fleet https://www.facebook.com/USPacificFleet?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser
U.S. 7th Fleet https://www.facebook.com/7thfleet?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser
Submarine Group Nine https://www.facebook.com/pages/Submarine-Group-Nine/105052617402
Navy Times https://www.facebook.com/navytimes?fref=nf
Together We Served https://www.facebook.com/TogetherWeServed
Got Dolphins? https://www.facebook.com/pages/Got-Dolphins/101385216229
Undersea Warfare Magazine https://www.facebook.com/USWMagazine?
fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser
Lockwood Internet Base https://www.facebook.com/USSVILIB?
12
USS North Dakota (SSN 784) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_North_Dakota_(SSN-784)
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
When you Understand
1943
When the hatch closes over your head, the OOD says last man
USS ARGONAUT (SS 166) January 10, 1943
down and the COW says green board, you understand the meanUSS AMBERJACK (SS 219)February 16, 1943
ing of adventure.
USS GRAMPUS (SS 207) March 5, 1943
USS TRITON (SS 201) March 15, 1943
When the only thing between you and millions of gallons of
seawater is a steel hull and some closed valves, you understand USS PICKEREL (SS 177) April 3, 1943
USS GRENADIER (SS 210) April 22, 1943
the meaning of courage.
USS RUNNER (SS 275) May 28, 1943
When sonar calls out to the conn “high speed screws in the waUSS R 12 (SS 89) June 12, 1943
ter” in hostile waters, you understand the meaning of fear.
USS POMPANO (SS 181)August 29, 1943
When the messenger passes out the only family grams the satel- USS GRAYLING (SS 209) September 9, 1943
USS CISCO (SS 290) September 28, 1943
lite could catch and yours isn’t one, you learn the meaning of
USS S 44 (SS 155) October 7, 1943
loneliness.
USS WAHOO (SS 238) October 11, 1943
When hissing water in the overhead turns from a slight annoyUSS DORADO (SS 248) October 12, 1943
ance to a terrifying rushing cascade bouncing off the hull and
USS CORVINA (SS 226) November 16, 1943
equipment, you understand the meaning of survival.
USS SCULPIN (SS 191) November 19, 1943
USS CAPELIN (SS 289) November 23, 1943
When you hear the quick sound that a curtain makes on your
rack that indicates your watch is about to begin, you understand
1944
the meaning of irritation.
When you see a brother stand at attention while the Captain pins USS SCORPION (SS 278) January 5, 1944
on the fish he worked so hard to earn, you understand the mean- USS GRAYBACK (SS 208) February 26, 1944
ing of pride.
USS TROUT (SS 202) February 28, 1944
When you retire and they pipe you over the side for the very last USS TULLIBEE (SS 284) March 26, 1944
USS HERRING (SS 233) June 1, 1944
time, you learn the meaning of great sadness.
USS GUDGEON (SS 211) June 7, 1944
When your eyes grow dim and your strength ebbs with age, you USS GOLET (SS 361) June 14, 1944
understand the meaning of envy every time you see submarine
USS S 28 (SS 133) July 4, 1944
getting underway.
USS ROBALO (SS 273) July 26, 1944
When a shipmate from a time so long ago passes on and people USS FLIER (SS 250) August 13, 1944
say so many things they wish they had said before they departed, USS HARDER (SS 257) August 24, 1944
USS SEAWOLF (SS 197) October 3, 1944
you understand regret.
USS ESCOLAR (SS 294) October 17, 1944
By Bob MacPherson (submitted by Tommy Robinson)
USS DARTER (SS 227) October 24, 1944
USS SHARK II (SS 314) October 24, 1944
USS TANG (SS 306) October 24, 1944
USS ALBACORE (SS 218) November 7, 1944
USS GROWLER (SS 215) November 8, 1944
USS SCAMP (SS 277) November 9, 1944
Tolling of the Boats (WWII)
1941-1942
1945
USS SEALION (SS 195) December 10, 1941
USS S 36 (SS 141) January 20, 1942
USS S 26 (SS 131) January 24, 1942
USS SHARK (SS 174) February 11, 1942
USS PERCH (SS 176) March 3, 1942
USS S 27 (SS 132) June 19, 1942
USS GRUNION (SS 216) July 30, 1942
USS S 39 (SS 144) August 16, 1942
13
USS SWORDFISH (SS 193) January 12, 1945
USS BARBEL (SS 316) February 4, 1945
USS KETE (SS 369) March 20, 1945
USS TRIGGER (SS 237) March 26, 1945
USS SNOOK (SS 279) April 8, 1945
USS LAGARTO (SS 371) May 3, 1945
USS BONEFISH (SS 223) June 18, 1945
USS BULLHEAD (SS 332) August 6, 1945
USS John Warner (SSN 785) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_John_Warner_(SSN-785)
Law of the Result -When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, IT WILL!!!
536 Fourth St
Bremerton, WA 98337
(360) 627-9843
Deterrent Park
Brick Application
($40/Brick Donation)
http://gertrude-check.org/brickap.htm
Brick Locator
http://gertrude-check.org/DETPARK/bricklocator.pdf
14
USS Illinois (SSN 786) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Illinois_(SSN-786)
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
BREMERTON BASE, UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Bremerton Base United States Submarine Veterans
Go to page 8 to continue
Scholarship Chairman – John Gardner
469 NE Valley Oak Dr.
Bremerton, WA. 98311
Ph. (360) 692-8994 jgardner@donobi.net
Request applications before April 4th. http://gertrude-check.org/scolcomp2015.pdf?app=
Bremerton Base Calendar
Treasurer’s Report
http://gertrude-check.org/2015CALENDAR/Year.html
2/28/2015 Dennis Nardone
2015—Current
Mar 21 (10:00) General Membership Meeting FRA 521 National Ave,
Life Fund: $31, 057.59
Bremerton 360.373.2296
Scholarship Fund: $15,823.62
Apr 01 (11:30) Bi-Monthly SK Sale – Trident Training Facility Bangor
General Fund: $31,903.70
Apr 04 (9:00) E-Board FRA 521 National Ave, Bremerton 360.373.2296
Net Worth: $78,784.91
Apr 11 Dolphin Dash
Apr 19 Enlisted Submarine Ball
Base Membership
2/28/2015 Dennis Nardone
May 02 (9:00) E-Board FRA 521 National Ave, Bremerton 360.373.2296
May 16 Armed Forces Day Parade
Total Members: 274
May 19 (1900) General Membership Meeting FRA 521 National Ave,
Annual Members: 49
Bremerton 360.373.2296
USSVI Life Members: 208
Base Life Members: 196
Holland Club Members: 151
May 25 Memorial Day
Jun 03 (11:30) Bi-Monthly SK Sale – Trident Training Facility Bangor
Annual Associate Members: 3
Jun 06 (9:00) E-Board FRA 521 National Ave, Bremerton 360.373.2296
Life Associate Members: 5
Jun 16 (1900) General Membership Meeting FRA 521 National Ave,
War Veterans: 254
Bremerton 360.373.2296
Jun 27 (1800)Fathoms of Fun Parade
When in doubt… use the Gertrude Check
for the most up-to-date information!
15
USS Washington (SSN 787) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Washington_(SSN-787)
The Past, Present and Future—-Pride Runs Deep!
PUGET SOUNDINGS Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 19 ISSUE 14 Jan—Mar 2015—Issue Date Mar 16, 2015
UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS
BREMERTON BASE
PO BOX 465
SILVERDALE, WA 98383-0465
Permit # 92
DO NOT RETURN TO SENDER
Monthly Meetings
FRA #29 521 National Ave., Bremerton, WA
Soup Down
Newsletter Advertising Rates
Full Page, 4 issues - $500 Single Issue - $135
Half Page, 4 issues - $250 Single issue - $70
Quarter page, 4 Issues - $125 Single issue - $35
Eighth page, 4 Issues - $60 Single issue - $20
E-mail Don Bassler
(mailto:up-scope@wavecable.com)
Or call him at 360-602-0250 for details about advertising only.
11:30—13:00
Soup Down, on Fridays, was
established by the late Willie Spoon for two equal
purposes: to bring members together on a weekly basis
to maintain the fraternity, and to encourage the
establishments to contribute a raffle prize or direct
contribution to the Bremerton Base's annual Lt. William
"Willie" Spoon Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Mar 20 All Star Lanes 10710 Silverdale Way, Silverdale 360.692.5760
Mar 27 Round Table Pizza 3276 NW Plaza Rd #101, Silverdale 360.698.4040
Apr 3 Olive Garden 3204 NW Randall Way, Silverdale 360.613.0207
Apr 10 Horse and Cow 536 4th St, Bremerton 360.627.9843
Apr 17 Club House, McCormack Woods 5155 McCormick Woods Drive SE Port Orchard 360-895-0142
Apr 24 Tracyton Public House 403 NW Tracy Ave, Bremerton 360.405.768 ()
May 1 Los Cabos 4120 Wheaton Way, Bremerton 360.373.1320
May 8 Red Lobster 3208 NW Randall Way, Silverdale 360.613.0105
May 15 Family Pancake House 3900 Kitsap Way, Bremerton 360.479.2422
May 22 Elmer’s 760 E Liberty Rd, Poulsbo 360.697.2215
May 29 Family Inn at Manchester Family Inn 2386 Colchester Dr E, Manchester 360-871-8199
Jun 5 Arena Sports Bar 4111 Wheaton Way, Bremerton 360.627.7515
Jun 12 Family Pancake House, E 4115 Wheaton Way Bremerton 360-479-0788
Jun 19 Famous Dave’s 3276 NW Plaza Road, Silverdale 360.307.9999
Jun 26 Skippers Fish and Chowder 10725 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale360.516.6265
July 3 Brother Don’s 4200 Kitsap Way, Bremerton 360.377.8442
Jul 10 Applebees 3138 NW Randall Way, Silverdale 360.308.8000
July 17 Club House, McCormack Woods 5155 McCormick Woods Drive SE Port Orchard 360-895-0142
July 24 Azteca 19045 State Hwy 305, Poulsbo 360.779.7427
Please Pass This Issue to Another Submariner
16
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
Digital Copy
Soup Down
Famous Dave’s
Famous Dave’s
Famous Dave’s
Famous Dave’s
Skipper’s
Skipper’s
http://gertrude-check.org/soupdown.html
17
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
Digital Copy
Soup Down
Skipper’s
McCormick Woods
McCormick Woods
McCormick Woods
Arena Sports Bar
Arena Sports Bar
http://gertrude-check.org/soupdown.html
18
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
Digital Copy
Soup Down
Arena Sports Bar
Red Lobster
Red Lobster
Los Cabos
Los Cabos
Applebees
http://gertrude-check.org/soupdown.html
19
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
Shipmates & Friends: Only those of us that rode
submarines can appreciate the following experiences. I know that there is not one of us that would not
jump at doing it all over again. A little long but
brings back memories.
Ever A Submariner
Digital Copy
I enjoyed seeing places I’d only dreamed of, and
some of which I’d heard from my grandfather who
had seen them under very different circumstances
and conditions… places like Pearl Harbor, Guam,
Truk Island and Subic and Tokyo Bays.
I admired the teamwork of loading ships stores, the
“brow-brigade” from pier to boat, and lowering
I liked popping the hatch at the top of the sail
them vertically through a 24” hatch to the galley
(submarine’s bridge) at sunrise and being the first to below. I relished the competition of seeing who
savor the scent of fresh air for the first time in 8
could correctly guess how many days underway beweeks… watching dolphins race in the bow wave
fore the fresh eggs and milk ran out and powder preon the way back home to Pearl… the tear-drop hull vailed upon us henceforth.
of the boat beneath me silently slicing through the
sea.
I loved my “brothers,” each and every one, whether
their dolphins were gold or silver and regardless of
I liked the sounds of the submarine service (sounds rate or rank. We shared experiences that bonded us
that we alone could hear, as we were the Silent Ser- evermore, and knew each other’s joys, pains,
vice where others were concerned) – the ascending strengths and weaknesses. We listened to and
whine of the dive alarm sounding, and the haunting looked out for each other. We shared precious little
echos of “Cayooogah, cayooogah… Dive! Dive!”
space in which to live and move and work, and we
from the boats yesteryear, the gruff voice of a Chief breathed, quite literally, the same recycled air.
headed aft… “Down ladder; Make a Hole!”, the indescribable creaking sound of hull-steel compress- After weeks in cramped quarters, my heart leapt at
ing at depths that remain classified to this day.
the command, “Close All Main Vents; Commence
Low Pressure Blow; Prepare to Surface; Set the MaI was impressed with Navy vessels – bracketed in
neuvering Watch.” When safely secured along the
the aperture of Periscope #2, the crosshairs gently
pier, the scent of my sweetheart’s hair evaporated
rising and falling across their silhouette on the hori- the staleness emanating from my dungarees.
zon, while obtaining range, bearing and angle off
the bow.
Exhausting though it was, I even liked the adrenaline rush of endless drills, and the comfort in the
I liked the names of proud boats of every class, from knowledge that any dolphin-wearing brother had
the “pig boats” of WWI to the sea creatures of
cross-trained just like I had… not only on basic
WWII, like Barbel, Dorado, Shark and Seawolf, and damage control, but to the point of having a basic
the Cold War boats that bore with honor the names working knowledge of every system on the boat,
of these and 48 others that are “Still on Patrol.”
such that when real emergencies inevitably arose,
Boats honoring national heroes, statesmen and pres- the response was so automatic and efficient they
idents: Washington, Madison, Franklin and more.
were almost anti-climactic.
Whole classes of boats honoring cities and states:
Los Angeles, Ohio and Virginia.
I liked the eerie sounds of “biologics” through the
sonar headphones, the strange songs of the sea in
I liked the tempo of opposed piston diesels and the the eternal night below the surface of the deep blue
“pop” in your ears when equalizing to atmospheric seas.
when the head valve first opens to ventilate and
snorkel. I miss the “thrill” of riding an emergency
[See Ever a Submariner p. 21]
blow from test depth to the top at a nice steep bubble.
20
Puget Soundings Volume 19 Issue 1
USSVI—Bremerton Base Quarterly Newsletter
Digital Copy
the respect of the Officers and crew. I revered past
heroes like inventor John Philip Holland and innovator Hyman G. Rickover. Such men and those that
followed, both Officer and Enlisted, set precedents
to follow, standards to uphold, and examples of
I liked the darkness – control room rigged for red or
bravery and self-sacrifice like the world has seldom
black, the only illumination that of the back-lights
seen. We were taught to honor these traditions.
compass and gauges of the helm and myriad of butSomewhere far below the ocean’s surface, I became
tons and indicator lights across the BCP. I liked the
a man… and not just any man. I became… a Subgentle green glow of the station screens in the Sonar
mariner.
Shack and Fire Control. I grew to like coffee, the
only way to stay awake in the numbing darkness of
Decades now have come and gone since last I went
the Control Room with the constant rocking of the
to sea. The years have a way of dimming things,
boat during countless hours at periscope depth.
like looking at the past through a smoky mirror. I
went, as many others, my separate way… raised a
family, and moved on… but a part of me, my SailI liked “sliders” and “lumpia” and pizza at “Midrats” at the relieving of the watch. I liked the secure or’s Soul, will always be underway… somewhere…
in the darkness, in the deep, making turns for twenty
and cozy feeling of my rack, my humble little
“den,” even when it was still warm from the body- knots and a pushing a hole through the water.
[from p. 20]
Ever A Submariner
heat of the guy who just relieved me of the watch.
Written By:
Jody Wayne Durham, MM2/SS
I liked the controlled chaos of the Control Room,
with the Officer of the Deck, Diving Officer and
Chief of the Watch receiving and repeating orders; USS Los Angeles (SSN-688), ’85 – ‘88
the sound of Sonar reporting: “Con-Sonar: New
Contact, submerged, designated: Sierra 1, bearing: 0
-1-0, range: 1-0-0-0 yards, heading 3-5-0, speed: 1-5
knots, depth: 4-0-0’.”
I liked the rush of “Man Battlestations; Rig for Quiet” announced over the 1MC, and the “outside of
my rate” role I played as CEP plotter during war
games, and later… SpecOps – the window to another world that I was allowed to peer through… the
tactics, stealth and tenacity of our Captain making
prompt and purposeful decisions to see us safely
and successfully through the mission.
I appreciated the fact that I was a 19 year old kid,
entrusted with operating some of the most sophisticated equipment in the entire world, and the challenge of doing those tasks in a 33’ x 360’ steel tube,
several hundred feet below the surface, in potentially hostile waters.
I admired the traditions of the Silent Service, of
Men of Iron in Boats of Steel, where you were just a
NUB until you were “Qualified” and had EARNED
21