OUR CREED: To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of 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 its constitution. UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS INCORPORTATED PALMETTO BASE NEWSLETTER August 2011 1 Inactivated submarines at Mare Island on 3 January 1946. Front row left to right: Sand Lance (SS 381) , next two could be Sealion (SS 315) and Seahorse (SS 304) , Searaven (SS 196) , Pampanito (SS 383) , Gurnard (SS 254) , Mingo (SS 261) , Guitarro (SS 363) , Bashaw (SS 241) . Back row left to right: Unknown, Tunny (SS 282) , next three could be Sargo (SS 188) , Spearfish (SS 190) , and Saury (SS 189) , Macabi (SS 375) , Sunfish (SS 281) , Guavina (SS 362) , Lionfish (SS 298) ,Piranha (SS 389) . The Scabbardfish (SS 397) is docked in ARD 11 on the other side of the causeway. The mixture of boats from the Salmon/Sargo, Gato, and Balao classes illustrate the clear differences in the conning tower fairwaters and the periscope shears that can be used to identify boats. The high bridges with the uncovered support frames (the "covered wagon" look) of the Gatos and Salmon/Sargo's contrast with the low and sleek look of the Balao's . The fatter, more robust periscope shears of the Balao's are markedly different from the thinner shears with more supporting structure of the Gatos and Salmon/Sargo's . The differences in the pattern of the superstructure limber holes can also be used for identification purposes. The single row of large semi circular holes indentify Electric Boat or Manitowoc boats. A dual row of smaller rectangular holes mark the government built boats. 2 Also note that the EB/Manitowoc boats have the deck mounted, T shaped JP sonar head on the starboard side of the forward deck, while the government boats have it on the port side. EB/Manitowoc boats had the anchor on the starboard side, the government boats on the port side. A close look will show that some of the boats have had the anchor removed and the hawsepipe plated over as part of the mothball process. Most of the boats have the late war radar outfit of the SJ surface search (small dish) and SV air search (large dish). The Balao's and some of the Gatos have the SS dish mounted on a separate large mast aft of the periscopes. The older Salmon/Sargo's and Gatos have a much smaller mast. Searaven appears to have had her radars already removed. Searaven is actually sporting a late war SJ surface search antennae mounted to starboard of the periscopes. This is a rare installation. Most often it was mounted forward (early war) or aft (late war) of the 'scopes shears. Her air search set is a late war SD antennae mounted on a stub mast directly aft of the 'scopes. Searaven never received the much more capable SV air search set. Having been assigned to training duties after November, 1944 it was probably felt that the SV set was not necessary. One strange thing: almost all of the boats appear to have the outer doors of the forward torpedo tubes open. Even though the boats have an interlock system that prevents the breech and outer doors from being opened at the same time, this is an unusual thing to do and a potential source of catastrophic flooding. Reference: http://navsource.org/ 3 Palmetto Base Officers Base Commander Brian Steffen Vice CDR : D. W. Eggleston Events Chair : Allen “Buzz” Danielson Jr. VCDR : Randy Browning Fundraising Chair : Jim Null Secretary : George “Scram” Kokolis Liaison : D. W. Eggleston Treasurer : J. P. Watson Committee Chair : Tom O’Brien Chaplain : Bob Miller Ship’s Photographer : Jim Null Chief of the Boat : Jim “Snake” Stark Bereavement Chair : Randy Browning Webmaster : Mark Basnight Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) Chair : Don Van Borsch Storekeeper : Brian Steffen Newsletter Editor : Randy Browning Members Milt Berkey Fernando Iglesias Larry Peay Steven Black John Jeffries Tommy Richardson David Castro Kenneth Johnson Ted R. Schneeberg James L. Charbonneau Charlie Kerr James P. Scott Tracy R. Charbonneau James N. Kirby Vince Seay Lonnie Franklin Arnold Kirk Leonard M. Snell Ronald Friend John J. Krause John Solis Julian Galloway Harold R. Lane L. E. Spradlin Joseph E. Gawronski William M. Lindler Jerry Stout Joseph L. Geiger Eddie McVicker Clarence Teseniar Glenn E. Harris Mark Morgan Thomas N. Thompson Stoney Hilton John Nesbitt Jeffro M. Wagner Michael House Tom Paige Medal of Honor Recipient, Holland Club, Plankowner, Past District Commander, Past Base Commander, Past Vice Commander, Past Junior Vice Commander, Past Secretary, Past Treasurer, Past Chaplain, Palmetto Base Hall of Fame, Palmetto Silver Star Award Honorary Members Judy Cline Charlie MacKenzie Charles Murray 4 July 19, 2011 Mark Basnight Mark Morgan Milt Berkey John Nesbitt Randy Browning Jim Null D. W. Eggleston Tom O’Brien Allen “Buzz” Danielson Larry Peay Julian Galloway John Solis Joseph E. Gawronski Jim “Snake” Stark Ada Griffin Jeffro M. Wagner George “Scram” Kokolis J. P. Watson Bob Miller • Call to Order at 1900 hours by Vice Commander D. W. Eggleston. • Invocation was given by Chaplin Bob Miller. • Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Commander D. W. Eggleston. • The Tolling of the Boats was led by Junior Vice Commander Randy Browning with the COB tolling the bell. • Member Introduction – 18 members and 2 guests were present. John Nesbitt was added as a new members • Base Secretary’s Report – Motion to accept minutes as written was accepted. • Treasurer’s Report – $5,467.07 (Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS): $3,800.00, Float fund: $1,017.55, Operating Fund $649.52) was accepted. • Events Chair reminded the membership about the Spirit of Lake Murray cruise ($40.00 per person) from 1900 – 2130 on Saturday, September 3rd. Must have a final headcount along with money by next meeting (August 16th). • Events Chair is going to e-mail the menu choices to the membership and needs responses my next meeting. 5 • Motion was made by the Webmaster for the same entertainment as last year and was approved. • COB, Vice Commander and Junior Vice Commander discussed the status of the float. Past Commander still has some of the pieces parts at his place and someone needs to talk with him so we can get them over to the COB’s place • Vice Commander showed the members the fundraising poster for the float along with flyers we can place at local businesses for support. • COB suggested having a fundraiser for the float at the upcoming gun show. Although its short notice, he is going to try and get approval from the guy that runs it. • Chaplin discussed having another scrap metal drive. Requested anyone that has scrap metal to contact him. Believe we can have a mid-week pickup and then a weekend pickup. • COB discussed the refurbishment of the current float and the many repairs that needed to be made to get it in shape for the Lexington County Peach Festival. WELL DONE and BRAVO ZULU to the COB, Chaplain, Base Commander, Milt Milt Berkey and Ted Schneeberg. • Base Photographer discussed the last IA deployment. • Base Photographer stated that he can get several cases of ice cream sandwiches for the next deployment, but needs someone with freezer space to store them. Larry Peay volunteered his freezer. • Events Chair, Base Chaplain and Junior Vice Commander discussed the security of the deployments (don’t post anything on any social media sites) and do not bring any pets as they distract the military dogs. Also volunteers should get refreshments from the vending machines so those deploying can have what is provided. • Junior Vice Commander told the membership about a tentative reservation he made at the Flight Deck for the Christmas party. Membership would like to either remain at Gilligans or find another location as the room at the Flight Deck is $200.00. • Recommendation was made to get in touch with the local newspaper or the Lexington Life magazine for an article about Robert Gibbs’ memorial. • Base Photographer made a motion to purchase the White Knoll JROTC as subscription to the Submariner magazine for $35.00, which was passed by the membership. • Events Chair and Chaplain asked that we keep the following in our thoughts and prayers: - Mark Basnight - Julian Galloway - Bob Miller’s daughter - Tom O’Brien • Jeffro Wagner talked about mass e-mails with regards to Starbucks, Pepsi, Target, etc. Make sure you fact check it before you send it on. Depth Charge $86.00 was won by Julian Galloway who donated his share back to the base. 6 Commander : Brian Steffen (803) 897-2480 [email protected] Vice Commander : D.W. Eggleston (803) 932-9390 [email protected] Junior Vice Cdr.: Randy Browning (803) 808-7065 [email protected] Secretary : George Kokolis (803) 460-5882 [email protected] Treasurer : J. J. Watson (803) 361-4193 [email protected] COB : Jim Starke (803) 957-7153 [email protected] Chaplain : Bob Miller (803) 603-0538 [email protected] Holland Club : D.W. Eggleston (803) 932-9390 [email protected] Storekeeper : Brian Steffen (803) 897-2480 [email protected] Newsletter : Randy Browning (803) 808-7065 [email protected] Julian Galloway – August 6th John Nesbitt Joseph E. Gawronski – August 16 th James N. Kirby – August 22nd Joseph L. Geiger – August 24th Mark Basnight Julian Galloway Bob Miller’s daughter Tom O’Brien "What it takes to do a job will not be learned from management courses. It is principally a matter of experience, the proper attitude, and common sense — none of which can be taught in a classroom..