61 - April 8, 2008 8:13 am

Name:

RM1 TJ Tropea

Tender:

USS Simon Lake AS 33

Comments:

I recall: The rogue wave causing havoc on the Lake while DIW in heavy seas. I also recall the Locherbe plane crash in which our mail was onboard. Horizontal Rain. Green Peace & Repell Boarders. Never a dull moment in Holy Loch.

62 - April 7, 2008 10:02 pm

Name:

Dexter Hammond

Tender:

Holland/Simon Lake

Comments:

OK YOU SALTY DOGS TIME TO THROW SOME SEAWEED ON THOSE MEMORIES. I WAS ON HOLLAND FROM 4/70 TIL 72' WHEN SHE WAS RELIEVED BY THE SIMON LAKE. I TRANSFERRED OVER TO HER AND STAYED TIL I GOT MARRIED IN JULY 73'. NOW WHO REMEMBERS ME AND SOME OF THE OTHERS? WHO REMEMBERS "AGUAMAN"(CWO2 WATERS). HE SURE WAS A MISERABLE CUSS. HOW ABOUT LT JEFFCOAT, LCDR SMITH, CAPT COWLING, THE LIST IS ENDLESS. ANY OF YOU RADIOMEN FROM COMM/OPS OUT THERE ANYWHERE? HOW ABOUT YEOMAN STUCKEY ON THE LAKE? I LOOK AT ALL THE REUNIONS AND THERE ISN'T A SINGLE SOLE THAT HAS GONE TO ANY OF THEM, THEY ARE LUCKY TO GET 30 PEOPLE INCLUDING SPOUSES. ANYONE OUT THERE??

63 - April 7, 2008 12:06 am

Name:

TMO3 Timothy M. Cohen

Tender:

U.S.S. Dixon (AS-37)

Comments:

Now that I think about it, the title Submarine Tender sounds kinda cool. I happened to be aboard the USS DIXON assigned to the MK 37 Torpedo Shop as the Damage Control Maintenance Man. It had its advantages far as being responsible to myself and the Divisional Damage Control Petty Officer.

I do recall a few personnel such as TMSN Michael Hodo, TM3 Canaday, TM3 Seth, TMT3 Blachard, TMT3 Eugene Wilmore, TMO3 Archie Hannibal, TMT2 Pickney, TMT2 Lopez, TMT2 Duckett (Quack-Quack), TMT2 Pollard, TMT1 Monell, and BM3 Bruce.

The coolest time I had aboard the USS DIXON is when the ship went to San Francisco, CA and end up pierside for 5 days. With 6 duty sections I had pleasure in visiting my mom's sister in Oakland, CA and she was the best cook in our family.

Never did like those Detext Clocks and did not like not getting seapay while aboard a ship because I am a man.

64 - April 2, 2008 7:17 am

Name:

Warren Rugenstein

Tender:

Proteus and Nereus

Comments:

Hello all -

Hey, I just created a Yahoo Group for all of us sub tender folks! Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/subtendersailorsandmarines/

I hope it is a nice addition to this site - gives us all an opportunity to send and receive group messages. Links to this site and others are posted there, too.

65 - April 1, 2008 10:36 am

Name:

Warren Rugenstein

Tender:

AS 19 and AS 17

Comments:

Served on the Proteus on Guam from May 1969 to November 1970 in the Fireroom. Made EN3, too. Then went to Nereus, first at Point Loma in X38A working on the "boats," then to decommissioning crew at 32nd Street. Made EN2 on the Nereus. After those sweet "tender days," served on Cocopa, ATF 101 and Sioux, ATF 75. It was the Sioux, with me aboard, that towed Nereus from 32nd Street to Bremerton. It sure looked lonely way back at the end of the tow rope!

Good times! Great friends!! Howdy to all

66 - March 27, 2008 11:02 pm

Name:

Steve Queen

Tender:

USS Dixon AS-37

Comments:

In 1971 when I finished boot camp – I received orders to USS Dixon which was preparing for commissioning at Norfolk. Being a 20 year old – and fresh out of boot camp, I was assigned to the D-2 department where I learned to operate small boats and all three cranes. Eventually – I was assigned to the “Reliability Team” who were directly involved with loading various torpedoes to the submarines along side. These included the Mk 37 and Mk 45 Torpedoes – the latter being a “Special Weapon” device. I recall these particular torpedoes as being very important to the Navy - since anytime they were being moved there was always a guard right next to us. You couldn’t help but notice the .45 on his waist as he watched our every move. The next year I was assigned as Paint Locker Master – and was in charge of all the different types of paint the Navy used from red lead primer to the famous “haze gray” paint that all navy ships were painted. During my time aboard – I was involved in painting Dixon probably 10 times – including the big AS 37 numbers. I think I was on the side cleaning detail for at least 18 months. I recall one incident while painting - BM2 Hodge was in charge of the painting detail one day – I tied myself to the boatswains chair so I and my buddy could lower me out of the bull nose to continue painting. I thought I had tied off the bitter end at about 20 feet – imagine my surprise after slipping out the bull nose when I hit the water about 90 feet below – and my safety strap finally stopped me about waist deep! I hung there about ten minutes when BM2 Hodge came to my rescue using a Pusher boat. I wasn’t hurt – and was certainly glad I had used the safety line. Over the ten years that I was stationed aboard DIXON I served many posts including Underway Scene Leader for Duty Section 1; occasionally served as Fire Martial; and in 1981 I was the Mess Deck Master At Arms. I was discharged from the Navy – aboard Dixon in 1982 after returning from our first WestPac. God Bless you shipmates! Is there any plans, etc. on putting together a reunion for USS DIXON? I am now a Grandpa – and would loved to hear from you!

67 - March 26, 2008 6:41 pm

Name:

John Benware

Tender:

USS Canopus AS-34

Comments:

Searching for Tim Jewell. He was also on the USS Fulton AS-11

68 - March 23, 2008 10:53 pm

Name:

Donna Sarkany

Tender:

Dixon AS-37

Comments:

Fresh out of boot camp and to the decks of the Dixon. Fireman assigned to the CO2 shop. I left her for HT A school on TI in San Francisco. Returned to Point Loma after school, but to the San Onofre ARD-30. Being female in a male dominated rate had an advantage in the 80s. I loved my time in the navy and on both of these wonderful vessels. Both Ships are now gone. I believe the ARD-30 was sold to Mexico. The saddest is the Dixon, now lays on the bottom of the Atlantic after serving her country so proudly for so many years. Here is to all of crew that served proudly aboard her in that "Can do Spirit" for so many years. Thank you for putting this site together, keep up the good work.

69 - March 22, 2008 9:32 pm

Name:

David Alan Eaton

Tender:

USS Fulton AS-11

Comments:

Served on the USS Fulton AS-11 From 1986 to 1991 , Some time in R-9 Div and then A Gang , M Div and finally LCPO Engineering Dept.

70 - March 22, 2008 3:21 pm

Name:

Joseph T. Strelecki

Tender:

USS Canopus AS-34

Comments:

I was aboard the Canopus from September 1972 until April 1976. Assigned To "A" Division. I worked in the Steam Heat Shop, tried to keep the laundry and galley equipment running so the crew could have clean clothes and "outstanding" chow, also tried real hard to keep those crappy steam hot water heaters running somewhere between real &*@# cold and steam: was Divisional Supply PO, {what me cumshaw something?}, and worked in the O2N2 Shop, cooling coke's and freezing off warts was our specialty. Came aboard an ENFA and left an EN2. Joe Strelecki ENCS USN (Retired)