241 - January 29, 2004 7:00 pm

Name:

David E Jones

Tender:

WWII Tenders

Comments:

I am a resident of Brisbane, Australia, and I have found great interest in your pages in research I have done into the story of the US submarine base here during the war. USS Griffin, USS Fulton and USS Sperry were the main submarine tenders based in Brisbane, but others called on their way to or from forward bases or other submarine commands. Only recently I discovered that USS Otus (AS20) spent some time in Brisbane, being piloted into port on 10 July 1943 and out to sea on 1 September. Ship histories about USS Otus appear to be very brief over this period and I would be pleased to know any information you or your contacts can tell me about USS Otus and her activities during this time. I look forward to hearing anything that you can tell me. I commend you for your efforts in compiling and maintaining this fine web site on submarine tenders. They did not hit the headlines like the submarines did, but they were vital to the submarines' success and a large number of veterans served in them. with best wishes, David Jones 8 Crowndale Street Wavell Heights Queensland 4012 Australia

242 - January 17, 2004 3:00 pm

Name:

Barbara

Tender:

USS Canopus AS 9

Comments:

Attention Ron Boggio: I just recently reread your story on this website. Your story has given me more insight into the sailor that would become my Dad in 1950. My Dad, Ziggie Budzaj was a Gunner's Mate on the USS CANOPUS where he earned a Silver Star on December 29, 1941. He is mentioned in Hank Henderson's Diary by name in an October entry.As well as in Captain Sackett's Journal. But it is your story that helped put together the story of a 26 year old Gunner's Mate for a daughter who is a "VPNB" ........Very Proud Navy Brat. Thank you, Barbara

243 - January 17, 2004 7:00 am

Name:

Glenn Ingle

Tender:

USS Orion AS-18

Comments:

I was on the Orion during Desert Storm, decommissioning and in the Ships band. I am among the few that actually had a great time and reupped for that old thing. Please let me know if there is anything I could provide that could help you with your page. I am still trying to locate the last Ship's Book. This was much like a high school annual. The ship's photographer came in and took pictures of me with my hands in the phone system and running switchboard. They did this for all of the shops. I will continue to look. If you can find this book, you'll have pictures for every shop of the 1993 Orion crew doing their jobs. Please let me know if you have access to this book. If not, perhaps Dave Peckinpaugh does. Also, let me know if you are interested in pictures of the last Orion Band. I also have awards for their service as Navy Ambassadors to the Italian community.

244 - January 16, 2004 7:00 pm

Name:

John D. Thompson

Tender:

AS-31; AS-32; AS-34

Comments:

Just found your site. Great! I was a crew member on AS-31, AS32 and AS-34. W-3 Division and all three and the MAA Division on the Canopus. Also on a side site from yours I did two tours at Pomflant. 1979 to 1981 and 1984 to 1987, SPC-35 Division. I was a GMT or WT it just depends on the year. The pictures made me think back, thank you. If you have a news letter please put me on your list. John D. Thompson

245 - March 29, 2003 7:00 pm

Name:

Marty Sims

Tender:

USS Proteus AS-19

Comments:

I very much enjoy your website on Submarine Tenders. I was a HT-3 on the USS Proteus in 1977-1978 in the R-1 Div. Weld Shop. I saw in your listing on the page below that you did not have a breakdown of the shops in R-1 Div. Here is a listing as best I can recall: R-1: 26B Weld Shop, Carpenter Shop, 11A Shipfitter Shop, 56A Pipe Shop, 17A Sheetmetal Shop, Foundry, Lagging Locker. Thanks, Marty Sims MSims79739@aol.com

246 - March 8, 2003 7:00 pm

Name:

Ray

Tender:

USS Gilmore

Comments:

Where can i get a list of the subs names that were with the USS HOWARD W GILMORE AS16 from 1957 to 1960? Thanks, Ray

247 - February 24, 2003 7:00 pm

Name:

John Bloomster

Tender:

USS Proteus

Comments:

Just to let you know I rode the Hunley in from Charleston to Guam, got a swap to the Proteus and rode her into the yards in Mare Island. Got out in November 72. Came back in 73 and got assigned to the USS Sperry. If I recall, when we departed Guam on the way to Hawaii one reduction gear started loosing oil pressure and started overheating. When the attempt was made to shift to the backup oil pump it did not work. One of the chiefs in the engine room hosed down the reduction gear with a firehose to prevent it from catching fire and consequently 21 bearings in the reduction gear seized. About a third of the bearing were available in supply, a third were hand scrapped and put back into service while a third of them were cast while underway. It took about three days to repair the reduction gear while we made way under the other screw around 9 knots. Once we were in the shipyard in Mare Island it was found that the supply cable to the backup oil pump was never installed, there was a cable from the panel up to the wire raceway but the cable was cut and about 30 ft was missing. John Bloomster

248 - February 20, 2003 7:00 pm

Name:

Dwight Bonham

Tender:

Comments:

I am conducting research on US Navy torpedo testing conducted before and during World War II. Defeciencies with US torpedoes (Mk XIV) early in the war is a realitively well know topic, but I'm trying to find specifics on tests done in the operational areas (Australia and Hawii) which eventually solved most of the Mk XIV problems. I am hoping that you can assist me in finding some photographs by or comments from Tender personnel who witnessed these (or other) tests. The first real Depth Test(s) on the Mk XIV Torpedo were held in Frenchman's Bay near Albany, Australia on June 20,1942 using USS Skipjack (SS-184). The test was made under the direction of CAPT James Fife, with LCDR Theodore C. Aylward, the Torpedo Officer from the Submarine Tender USS Holland (AS-3) acting as the official witness. The test produced three rips in the recovered fishing nets which indicated that Mk XIVs were running between 8-15 feet deeper than set. A second series of depth tests was also held in Frenchman's Bay on July 18th, 1942 in which USS Saury (SS-189) fired four torpedoes at the same fishing nets from 850 to 900 yards away. All torpedoes were set to run at a depth of 10 feet. The first passed through a missing section of the net which had been torn away during heavy weather the previous night, providing no data. The other three torpedoes penetrated the fishing net uniformly at 21 feet (i.e. 11 feet too deep). Any pictures / info regarding these tests, the nets or the personnel involved would be of interest. My descriptions are certainly not all-inclusive; they are just a best guess. If you have any information or suggestions, please let me know. You may contact me at either dwight.bonham@tma.osd.mil or dbonham@prodigy.net In also be reached by telephone at (303) 676-3731. Please feel free to call me should you have any questions. Thanks Agai Dwight Bonham Major, US Army (Ret)

249 - December 7, 2002 7:00 pm

Name:

Jim Rosenback

Tender:

USS Clytie

Comments:

Dear Sirs , I am interested to find out if their is still any living crew members of the U.S.S. Clytie. My father Hank Rosenback Bosun Mate Ist Class served on her durning the war. I would sure like to hear from anyone with knowledge of those days. Sincerely Jim Rosenback

250 - November 15, 2002 7:00 pm

Name:

Jill Hoffman

Tender:

USS LY Spear

Comments:

I served aboard the L.Y. Spear from 1984-1988 as an engineman, working for both the auxilary and later the R-9 divisions. We spent time in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bermuda, the BahamaLondon and France. Maybe you spent time in Cuba for Gitmo training, or getting the ship in better shape while in the ship yards? It would be fun shareing and laughing over old memories! Jill hoffman