221 - November 23, 2004 10:46 pm

Name:

Webmaster

Tender:

to all hands

Comments:

(This is in regards to the previous note - and remember since these are in reverse date order - that post FOLLOWS this one... you might want to read it first then come back) While I normally do not include my responses here (though as many know - I try to answer every email personally) I feel this is one that I need to comment on here. While I agree with Paul's overall observation (IMHO there is a bit too much glee expressed by some Torsk volunteers as they rip up and plunder) I must also note that the overall group of Torsk volunteers are doing a great job of restoring their boat. In doing so - they must obtain parts - often old and long obsolete parts where they can - and as was in the original design of the FULTON class tenders - many, many parts are shared by both tender and boat. That leads to two observations by me: the Tenders are STILL proudly able to serve their boat(s) in ways no others can - and that's only right --- but I'd personally like to see a bit more respect paid to the donors - after all - one wouldn't be what it is - without the other.

222 - November 23, 2004 7:00 am

Name:

Paul Collins

Tender:

USS Orion USS Gilmore

Comments:

I recently was checking out a site on the web about the reserve fleet sitting in the James river. What I saw was somewhat disturbing. A group calling themselves the "Torsk" volunteers, was pilfering whatever they could find off of several ships.... Two of which I happen to have a special place in my heart for....The Orion and the Gilmore. I was saddened enough to see their current condition, however to see these so called veterans raping what remains of these once noble ships reminded me of the turkey vultures I see picking the carcasses of the local road kill. I guess I'm just a little sad to see the ships that had survived so much being treated like some cheap street trash. I thought you would understand.... Paul Collins

223 - November 13, 2004 7:00 pm

Name:

William(Bill) L. Bentley, Sr

Tender:

USS Proteus(AS19)

Comments:

The USS Proteus AS-19 Veterans' Association, held it first reunion, 4-7 November 2004 at the Shades of Green Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL A Great Time Was Had by ALL We look forward to San Diego, CA in 2006, to be hosted by LT PAUL CASTLE, USN(RET) I want to Thank You for the priviledge of hosting this Reunion and for the many people that I now call friend and Shipmate! Sincerely, COL(R) William(Bill) L. Bentley, Sr., [formerly; Seaman First Class(S1/c), USS Proteus(AS19), Feb-Sep 1946]

224 - November 10, 2004 7:00 pm

Name:

Peter Stuchlik

Tender:

USS Canopus AS-34

Comments:

I was on USS CANOPUS from Nov of '69 to June of '73. Started in S-6 (Stewards - long story-typical Navy), moved to ships' mess (S-2), and after about a year + the Navy rectified (through the intervention of CDR Brownley, Lt Cdr Coleman) thier mistake and I became, for good or bad, the editor of THE HELMSMAN". If anyone knows of the whereabouts of David Kile of S-3, tell him that Pete says Hi. It was our privilege to sail from Bremerton to Holy Loch, and become Shellbacks in the bargain. Peter Stuchlik

225 - October 22, 2004 8:00 pm

Name:

Daniel J. Tobin

Tender:

USS Holland USS Simon Lake

Comments:

The tenders I served on had 10 dividions in the Repair Dept. as follows: R-0 Dept Admin; R-1 Weld Shop, Shipfitter Shop Sheeetmetal Shop; R-2 Machine Shop, Optical Shop Office Machine Repair; R-3 Electical Repair; R-4 Electronics Rpeair; R-5 Radiological Controls (RADCON); R-6 Carpenter Shop, Pattern Shop, Foundry; R-7 Planning & Estimating, Technical Library; R-8 QA & NDT; R-9 Valve Shop, Antenna Shop; R-10 Nuclear Repair. Just an update on the way the department was set up in the mid 1970's (1974-1980) when I was on th USS Holland and then when I was on the Uss Simon Lake (1984-1990). It is tough seeing those ships in the storage facilities just waiting for the breakers cutting torch. Maybe I can fill in a few of the details of the ships during the time they were in the Holy Loch. I'll send some photos of Dunoon as it is now. The clubs and all of the facilities on the beach in Sandbank have been demolished and the pier is falling into the loch. The comissary/exchange is now the Co-Operative, Dolphin Hall has revertied back to the Local Council and the gas station is a garden store with a Shell gas station at the far end where the parking lot used to be. The town has a few retirees living there and they have an association called the Holy Loch Veterans Association. Let me know you have any questions. I may be able to shed some light on. Regards, Daniel J. Tobin

226 - October 21, 2004 8:00 pm

Name:

Thomas D. Duncan

Tender:

USS Proteus AS-19

Comments:

Tommy Duncan was born in Gravitt, Ark. on Nov. 26, 1925, to Elbert T. and Gertrude Duncan. He died on Oct. 12, 2004. Mr. Duncan served in the Navy during WWII aboard the USS Proteus submarine. In September 1997, he enjoyed a reunion in Las Vegas, Nev. with some of the men of the Proteus.

227 - September 20, 2004 8:00 pm

Name:

Tim Breit

Tender:

USS Hunley AS-31

Comments:

Notice you're building a page for Hugo. How about Andrew? Hunley supported. Also I didn't see Bangor NSB or as it is now known Naval Base Kitsap,Bangor? Tim Breit AS-31 ('89-'93) R-7

228 - September 10, 2004 8:00 pm

Name:

P. Collins

Tender:

USS LY Spear

Comments:

Were you aware that the LY spear is set to be used as a target?

229 - September 8, 2004 8:00 pm

Name:

Dick Lull

Tender:

USS Proteus AS-19

Comments:

I read your "Tale" this morning. Wow! I have not pondered this period of my life for many years. I caught the Proteus at Mare Island and was, for some time, the only DS assigned to maintain the UYK-5 in the ADP division. I received my dummy orders while in DSTS "C" school; I could see the ship from my classroom as it sat in dry docks. I had my doubts after inspecting huge holes in the hull. I didn't see any reference to the wallaby that was smuggled on board ship at Sydney the same time the chic was. Never will forget the great chase around the boat deck. And remember the great prices on sheep pelts? I recall a snipe's car that fell to the pier upside down as it was being off loaded at Polaris Point. I believe one of the wooden beams snapped as it was lowered. Yes, I contributed some bucks to the sympathy fund. Were you there the night a couple of sub crews were at Andy's Hut engaged in great feats of manliness that continued until the Shore Patrol Shut it down? What a story... I was transferred to Fleet Weather Central in Feb '75. Assigned to the Red Cross shortly after Saigon fell. I worked for them until well after I received my discharge in July '75 and left Guam for the final time in November. Anyway, I was amazed at the times we both served on the Proteus. Cheers...Dick Lull

230 - August 23, 2004 8:00 pm

Name:

Robbin Appel

Tender:

USS Clytie

Comments:

Dear Sirs, I am trying desparately to find out more information about the USS Clytie. I have covered your sites and only find one page about this ship. Where can I get more information? My father was aboard the Clytie. I have only a few notes about his service during WW11. I am one of seven children and would love to forward this family history to my siblings. My Dad Anthony DeLuca "Duke" died a very early death in 1976. He was 56. I was 21 at the time so I never really got to ask many questions. I have recently come across one page of his diary. You can imagine the interest this sparked in me. If you can please, give me any information it would be so appreciated. Thank you so much, Robin Appel