301 - September 3, 2000 8:00 pm

Name:

Randy J. Reimer

Tender:

USS Huley AS-31

Comments:

I spent 28 years in the Navy, nearly all of it on Sub tenders or in submarine support. I started out on the USS Huley AS-31, in the Holy Loch 63-64. Then went to Dam Neck for Missile Launcher School. Then I helped commission the USS Canopus AS-34 in 65. I stayed with Canopus for 6 years is Spain, Bremerton, WA, and then to Holy Loch. I left Canopus in 71 and went to Dam Neck as an instructor for Missile Launcher School. After shore duty I was sent back the Canopus in Holy Loch and brought it back to Charleston for overhaul. Then rode it to Rota, Spain to relieve Simon Lake AS-33. I cross decked to the Simon Lake and brought it back to Charleston for overhaul. Then up the River to NWS to take over the site there. From Simon Lake I went to California for shore duty at NAS Point Mugu, just north of Los Angeles. After shore duty I went to SUBROC school and then to the USS Frank Cable AS-40 in Charleston (81-85). When I left the Frank Cable I went back to school for SUBROC Test Equipment and also for the Tomahawk missile. Then I went to Naval Magazine Lualualei in Hawaii for four years where I retired in 1990.Randy Reimer

302 - August 23, 2000 8:00 pm

Name:

Bob Adelwerth

Tender:

Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16)

Comments:

I served on Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16) from March '56 until August '58 in R-3 division. Went aboard in Key West as EMFN, and left in '58 as EM2. We went to Hoboken, N.J. in summer/fall of '56 for shipyard overhaul at American Shipbuilding yard, across the Hudson from downtown Manhattan. Went through REFTRA at Gitmo, then visited Havana, and back to Key West by Christmas. We went to Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands for Springboard '58, and spent 6 weeks at the pier (tough duty!) Servicing U.S and British submarines. We stopped in Havana again for a week, and I was assigned permanent Shore Patrol at the central Police Station, living in a hotel. (More tough duty!). This was our last visit to Havana, since Castro took over in December '58. I married a Key West Conch in June '58, and we still visit Key West, but it's a far different place than the '50's. Would like to hear from shipmates of that period. Bob Adelwerth CWO USN, Ret.

303 - July 27, 2000 8:00 pm

Name:

Bob Santasiero

Tender:

Bushnell A.S.15

Comments:

I was on the bushnell A.S.15 FROM 1952 TO1955 - I picked up the ship in boston, army piers. We took a shakedown to Cuba and than to Hey West. I was an ML 3 -- worked in the molder shop, 7div. Out side repair. She was a very good ship, sorry to hear about the fire and target sinking -- not a good way for a proud ship to go! But I guess a better way than the scrap heap. If anyone knows about any type of reunion please contact me.Bob Santasiero

304 - July 5, 2000 8:00 pm

Name:

Kenny Messano

Tender:

USS Canopus AS34

Comments:

I served in the USN from july 1971 to June 1980. I was aboard the USS Canopus AS34 from Oct 1971 to 1975. I was in "M" division. I transferred to the USS holland AS32 when she came to Holy Loch to relieve the USS Canopus. Being that the holland was diesel electric, I had to go to R2 division, where I worked in the hydraulic/AC shop. After I transferred back to virginia for shore duty (Fmag then renamed SIMA) and after completing my shore duty, they sent me to the LY spear AS36. I worked in the outside machine shop (R2). On the spear, we took a couple cruises to florida and then did a short hitch in Charlston. After we returned to Norfolk, somebody said something about maybe going to the virgin islands. That was some rumor, We wound up in Dieago Garcia! I was lucky to only serve a few months in diago Garcia. I was discharged in San Francisco in june 1980. There are many tales to tell from all of these tenders.Kenny Messano (X) MM2 USN

305 - April 26, 2000 8:00 pm

Name:

Bryan J. Wolf

Tender:

Canopus

Comments:

Just a note from the SM3 of Canopus past... Her call sign was NCAW. I've been Looking for shipmates from 86-89 SM2 Doug Merrill and SM1 Bruce Laws and SM3 Richard Brown. If you guys are out there it'd be great to hear from you. SM3 Wolfe, Bryan J.

306 - April 18, 2000 8:00 pm

Name:

Russ Mercer

Tender:

Proteus

Comments:

I was stationed on board the Proteus from Nov. 77 to April 79, sure would like to hear from some old friends. I worked in the boiler room at port and in the engine room underway. Please drop me a line.

307 - April 16, 2000 8:00 pm

Name:

Dan Tinnell

Tender:

USS Canopus AS34

Comments:

I was on the USS Canopus AS34 from the begining -- I was part of the original crew. My brother Larry was also an orig. Member. I remember when it first sailed and the engine blew and we had to return. We went to Gitmo for the first shakedown. I recently found out it was now decommissioned, and our sister ship the Simon Lake is also.We had some real good times aboard the Canopus. I know this will sound bad,( but its not really) I was the first, along with a friend of mine to be put in the onboard brigg. We were given 3 days bread and water. This was for a common little bar room fight. It just so happened that it was while we were in Gitmo. I was not a trouble maker ( even though it sounds that way) I was ( just like others) sewings my wild oats as they say. After we put the Canopus in commission we were all given a Plaque and a ships roster. Unfortunatley I lost all those things in a fire that destroyed my home in 1987. The only thing that survived the fire was my USS Canopus AS34 coffee cup. I had heard after I got out that a good friend of mine HUBERT WILFONG from Virgina was killed when a fire broke out in the brigg area. He was standing guard I believe. This was while they were in Scotland. I got out in Sept. 1968. I do have some good stories to remember from being on the Canopus. It was a Great Ship. Would like to hear from shipmates! Dan Tinnell

308 - April 12, 2000 8:00 pm

Name:

Dave Espenscheid

Tender:

Bushnell AS-15

Comments:

I served aboard the Bushnell (AS-15) from 1957 to late 1959 in Key West, Florida in the Repair Division in the gyro shop as an IC Technician 2nd class. Operation Springboard was one of our frequent exercises as were various cruises to Norfolk. VA to relieve tenders for yard periods. One time I remember a crew member getting his head caught in the lift that hoisted gun shells for the five inch guns. It was the saddest day on board that I had on board. I served on Shore Patrol with the city police force that provided many experiences. Mostly our shop repaired submarine gyro compasses, movie projectors, meters and our equipment that helped interior communications on board diesel submarines.Dave Espenscheid

309 - April 2, 2000 8:00 pm

Name:

Joe "MOON" Mullens

Tender:

Holland

Comments:

I reported aboard the Holland, april 1972 in Rota,Spain and stayed with her till august 1975. For me it was always the "Happy Holland", where everyday was a holiday and every meal was a feast.......yes, I was a ships cook! From Rota to Charleston to Bremerton and then back,it was a time that I will never forget.I would like to hear from any of my past shipmates,Hey Rat-Where are you?

310 - March 10, 2000 7:00 pm

Name:

Jim Potter

Tender:

USS Nereus AS-17

Comments:

I was stationed aboard the USS Nereus AS-17 from April 1961 to July 1963. In that time I went from EMFN to EM-2.I was attached to the R-3 Div.-(Electrical Repair)Our job was to maintain & support the electrical equipment on board the Submarines in our Squadron-Subron-5 we did maintenance & repair on all electrical motors- M-G units (Motor Generater units-these were used to convert D.C. power to A.C. power on board the Submarines). We also had a rewind shop where we could rewind & rebuild any electrical motor that would go bad on any of the Subs in our Sqd. Iwas on the Nereus when Pres. Kennedy ran the blockade on Cuba. I don't think that a lot of people realize just how bad this situation was. We had all the Boats in our Squd. Resupplied, repaired, & underway within 24 hours & we went to full security right in San Diego Harbor,fully armed topside watch with M-1's. Another event I vividly remember is when the USS THRESHER sank! The memorial service was very dignified & serious, as the Submarine USS Permit left the side of the Nereus with a very large wreath of flowers on her deck-she went to sea & submerged letting the wreath float of her deck-in remembrance of those who perished on the Thresher.Jim Potter