NOVEMBER 2004

Electric Boat Completes Second Successful INSIDE Alpha Sea Trials In Less Than Four Months Engineer’s Efforts Speed Up ATA Approval Process • 2 Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter is the third and final ship Silhouetted Earned Hours • 3 of the Seawolf class – the fastest, quietest, against a gray Casey Discusses Upper returns to shipyard most heavily armed in the November sky, Management Changes • 4 following first voyage at sea world. While Jimmy Carter retains all of the Jimmy Carter USS Ohio Reaches Major the operational capabilities of the Sea- returns to the Conversion Milestone • 6 o the cheers of sailors gathered wolf-class, a 100-foot hull extension Groton shipyard New Brake Job Improves after success- Welding System • 7 on the north wing wall, the called the Multi-Mission Platform will fully completing Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) enhance payload, enabling the submarine GD Awarded $47.7 Million T its initial sea Contract Modification • 7 to accommodate the advanced technol- returned from its successful initial voyage trials. EB To Make Holiday Nov. 20. Less than four months before – ogy required to develop and test a new Donation • 7 on July 30 – Electric Boat completed the generation of weapons, sensors and Navy Commissions first sea trials of USS (SSN-774). undersea vehicles. USS Virginia • 7 Dozens of EB workers and Navy per- The Jimmy Carter’s alpha sea trials Riddell Describes Nautilus Experiences • 9 sonnel crowded together to watch as the included a range of submarine and propulsion plant operations, submerging Retirees / Classified • 10 ship tied up following its first set of at-sea for the first time, and high-speed runs on Service Awards • 11 tests. continued on page 3 Engineer’s Efforts Speed Up ATA Labor Approval Process

he time-consuming chore of ATA labor approval is about to T get a lot faster and easier for every Electric Boat supervisor, thanks to some software shortcuts developed by a senior engineer in the Professional Devel- opment Rotation program. Matt Singer (400), who came up with the Quick ATA shortcuts while working as a carpenter foreman, said he did it out of necessity. “I used to spend two to three hours every week approving labor, and it took even longer during holiday weeks when people would work 10-hour days,” he said. “That’s time that could be spent on higher-payoff activities.” Singer discovered that the Automated Time & Attendance approver software allows for the programming of shortcuts, or macros, that can automate just about any possible combination of keys. He then created an on-screen keypad for a number of such shortcuts, saving him Senior engineer Matt Singer (400) demonstrates the use of Quick ATA keypads, visible at the bottom of considerable time when approving his his computer screen. The keypads, which he programmed, are groups of ATA shortcuts that will drasti- cally reduce the amount of time it takes supervisors to review and approve employee labor. employees’ labor. “I could do a week’s labor in 15 minutes,” he said. As word spread about Singer’s short- determined that four specific Quick ATA Singer discovered that the Auto- cuts, he gladly shared them with others. keypads would be required: for salaried However, in many cases the shortcuts mated Time & Attendance approver employees; for MDA-UAW; for MTC; only applied to the carpenter trades, lim- and for Quonset Point. Singer then cre- software allows for the program- iting their potential. That’s when he went ated them and turned them over to Jacob- to Rock Martel (670), chief of Process ming of shortcuts, or macros, that son and Pillmear for testing. Improvement for Groton Operations, for Jacobson said the early tests have been a some advice on how to expand their can automate just about any possi- resounding success. “We think it’s going to reach to the rest of the shipyard. ble combination of keys. He then be a really big time-saver, as soon as it gets “When we reviewed the project, we out to the population,” he said. reviewed the project, I immediately saw created an on-screen keypad for a A pilot program, in which the Quick the global potential,” Martel explained. number of such shortcuts, saving ATA keypads were pushed to 30 supervi- “So that’s when we developed a team to sors’ computers for a real-world trial, morph this into a company-wide push him considerable time when began in late October. Once any remain- instead of just a localized endeavor.” approving his employees’ labor. “I ing bugs have been worked out, the Quick The team included Singer, Martel, ATA shortcuts will be pushed to every EB timekeeping supervisor Bill Jacobson could do a week’s labor in 15 min- computer. Shortly thereafter, a brief train- (621) and manager of information tech- ing guide will be distributed. utes,” he said. nology Guy Henry (604), with additional While use of the new shortcuts won't be support from timekeeping senior required, Singer encouraged ATA accountant Denise Pillmear (621) and approvers to give them a try. Andy Polansky of CSC. “They’re really simple,” he said. “Every- After polling a cross-section of super- one’s going to be able to use them.” visors to gauge their needs, the team

2 I November 2004 I ELECTRIC BOAT NEWS Capt. Bill Hanson, right, Group Two chief of staff, leads fellow officers and men in a rousing wel- come home to the Jimmy Carter as it tied up at Electric Boat following its initial sea trials.

continued from page 1 the surface and submerged to demon- strate that the ship’s propulsion plant is fully mission capable. Addressing the crowd and assembled media immediately after docking were Adm. Kirkland Donald, director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion; Rear Adm. John Butler, program executive officer – submarines; Capt. Robert D. Kelso, the ship’s prospective commanding officer; and John Casey, EB president. expressed his appreciation to the people “What a happy day this is,” said Butler. Calling the sea trials an unqualified and organizations behind the scenes who “The Jimmy Carter as the third and last success, Donald said, “I’d like to helped get the ship to sea – NAVSEA, Seawolf class submarine is as magnificent acknowledge the great work done by the suppliers and the Navy laboratories. as you can imagine. It’s truly an inspiring John Casey and the Electric Boat team in Casey told the crowd that it was an boat – it did everything we asked it to do building this fine ship. There’s no honor to be one of the 47 Electric Boat and more. It is an engineering marvel and machine on the face of the earth more employees who participated in the alpha we should all be very proud.” complicated than a ,” trials. But he pointed out that each of the Kelso, the ship’s commanding officer, he said, noting that five years ago, the company’s 12,000 employees played a cru- said, “I think Mr. Casey had it right – the ship’s Multi-Mission Platform was only a cial role in getting the submarine to sea. Jimmy Carter is definitely an awesome “small scrap of paper. Now it’s been He also noted that the Jimmy Carter ship. I’m extremely proud of my crew – taken to sea, put through its paces, taken spent half the amount of time in water- they did a great job. “And I want to con- to submergence depth and its full speed borne testing as the USS Virginia and gratulate the men and women of Electric and done remarkably well. still completed the trials successfully. Boat for building an outstanding “It’s a credit to the Electric Boat Finally, he said, “it was a pleasure to machine.” team,” he said. “You’re true craftsmen in spend time with Captain Don Kelso and The Jimmy Carter is now engaged in the finest sense of the word and I’m his crew, led by the chief of the boat, its second set of at-sea shipyard tests – proud to acknowledge the work that Shawn Burke. It was inspirational to see called Bravo trials The ship is scheduled you’ve done.” these men take this ship to sea, embrace for delivery next month and will be the Donald also gave high praise to Kelso the technology and make it part of their Navy fleet in a commissioning ceremony and his crew for their performance and very souls.” at the submarine base in Groton Feb. 19.

Dan Barrett, Electric Boat News is Editor published monthly by the Public Affairs Department, Dean R. Courtney, 75 Eastern Point Road, Gro- Contributing Editor ton, CT 06340 Bob Gallo, Gary Hall, Phone (860) 433-8202 Gary Slater, Photography Fax (860) 433-8054

Crystal Smith, Email Editorial Assistant [email protected]

Earned Hours: Where We Stand ELECTRIC BOAT NEWS I November 2004 I 3 Casey Discusses Upper ManagementQ&A Changes

Editor’s note: Earlier this month, Electric Boat considering for quite some time. Of the President John Casey unveiled a sweeping upper- three axes on the grid, one is programs – management reorganization designed to better very product and project-focused. The second axis represents the line functions – respond to future business conditions. Casey the functions that accomplish the hands- discussed the changes in the following exchange on work, whether it is technical work in with Electric Boat News: the design and engineering areas or con- struction or test work in the Operations What factors persuaded you that areas. And then there are the various staff this reorganization was necessary? functions, essential for any organization I’ve been thinking about our organiza- of our size to operate properly. tion for some time, especially since I was Because our line functions are so signif- appointed to my current position but for icant in size and because they’re so techni- many years prior as well. I believe the cal in nature, they require the attention of executive team should spend its time two members of my staff. In the other developing policy and discussing changes business. two areas – programs, and the various in the organization, and I foresee some resources and staff functions – we have specific changes that need to occur in the two senior vice presidents and I thought next few years. We have to be able to rap- John Casey this was an appropriate time to explore idly assess the situation we find ourselves their full potential. In the case of Fred in and make decisions and move on While we make these changes, we have Harris, that means taking responsibility accordingly. We have recently completed to preserve our core capabilities. Clearly, not only for managing the day-to-day a very significant buildup in the last four from a technical standpoint, we’re very program activities but also becoming or five years that took us from about competitive. But to remain competitive, more involved in strategy, business devel- 8,000 people to about 12,000 people we have to be affordable at the same time. opment and the broad strategic issues that today. During that time, we have re- While we’re adapting to new environ- we deal with on a regular basis. Often- entered the maintenance and moderniza- ments, we need to continue the perform- times these issues involve technology, so tion business as well as started organiza- ance our customer expects and that we it’s appropriate for Fred to step up and tions on both coasts – out at Puget expect of ourselves. In simple terms, we’ll take responsibility for technology devel- Sound Naval Shipyard and Norfolk continue to focus on safety – both for opment with Millard Firebaugh. Strategic Naval Shipyard. We will deliver two ships those who sail on products and those planning will remain with Steve Ruzzo. I this year and in order to support that, we who build them; the quality of the prod- think it’s also appropriate to bring the have reached a peak load of design and uct; the cost of the product and our repair and modernization activities engineering activity for Virginia, the schedules. We’ll continue to reinforce together with the other programs and Jimmy Carter Multi-Mission Platform, these basic principles, while at the same now’s the time to do that under John Pad- and the SSGN conversions. time, my staff and I must remember that gett, who will have responsibility for the Looking at the future, there won’t be performance is only one of the keys. The execution of the repair work as well as the as many big programs. We will have to people who work at Electric Boat and the strategic development of that work. develop programs on a much more regu- product itself are the other keys. On the development side, we’ve asked lar basis and must be in a position to Kristin Fletcher to take responsibility for make decisions quickly – for our existing Once you came to the decision a group that’s specifically assigned to look customer base, the U.S. Navy; and for that a reorganization was required, at business opportunities, whether they opportunities that rely on our core capa- how did you go about putting the are with existing customers or new sorts bilities but are outside our traditional specific pieces of it together? of customers. All of these new business business base. These opportunities could My thought process was based on a development activities require various include international as well as domestic three-dimensional grid that I’ve been continued on page 5

4 I November 2004 I ELECTRIC BOAT NEWS continued from page 4 What advantages does this new has taken on various shapes and forms. parts of the organization to take signifi- structure bring to the company? Now we have vessels under repair in the cant responsibilities but somebody has to I believe the requirements of our busi- yard at the same time we have new-con- take the lead to ensure we are moving ness will change – but the need to suc- struction vessels in the yard, with vari- ahead from a business perspective, in ceed will remain a priority. These changes ous control systems being used to addition to a technology perspective. will enable us to adapt more quickly to process material and manage the work. On the resource side of the equation, shifting conditions. Each of these indi- It’s important that the ship’s managers where John Leonard has been so effective viduals will have the autonomy to make and their staffs have a leader, so as the as our chief financial officer, he will gain recommendations regarding the segment Jimmy Carter winds down, we’ve asked from a personal-development standpoint of the business for which they’re respon- Kevin Devine to take charge of those and the organization will gain through sible, and then as a very small group, we organizations. his leadership of the various resource can quickly discuss those proposals and We’ve asked John Holmander to come functions. These include human make decisions that will allow us to to Groton from Quonset Point to man- resources, material procurement, man- change at a very rapid pace. We are going age the Virginia-class program, which power planning and public relations. to end up either as a much smaller, suc- comprises the bulk of our backlog and is John is a very solid performer and now cessful business or we will identify new essential for our future. John has been at he’s getting the opportunity to expand business opportunities that stabilize the Quonset Point for his entire career and into some other areas beyond finance. size of our organization. he’s been very successful there. This is a That leaves me with two other areas – We need to position ourselves to go in good opportunity for him to grow and one of which is Quality. Very clearly, the either direction very quickly and I believe become responsible for some areas of the quality of our product is of the utmost this organization will provide us the flexi- business new to him. importance and Bob Scheel has been in bility and adaptability we’ll require to be Quonset Point has been an extremely the lead of this activity for some time. successful in a changing environment. important part of the business for a long He’ll continue to do that. The General time and it will remain so. Bill Frydryk Counsel’s department under Joe Chontos Will there be a flow-down effect has done a great job for us on his two is a standalone group that will continue from the reorganization – that is, will most recent assignments, and leading to advise me directly on legal matters. it prompt additional changes in the Quonset Point is a real growth opportu- These two organizations will continue to various functional organizations? nity. He brings deep product knowledge report directly to me. Absolutely. In fact, some of the under- to Quonset and has a very strong techni- Basically, I’ve created six teams – two lying changes that are being accomplished cal background. He’s also very people- of them, Quality and Legal are fairly outside of my direct staff are fundamen- oriented, so I think it will be a good straightforward. The other four teams, tal to the kind of overall change I believe match. which comprise most of our employees, if necessary. For example, we’ll be able to have four leaders who can analyze their collect the vast majority of engineers Will employees notice anything dif- new organizations and develop recom- under one functional leader – Pete ferent in their day-to-day jobs? mendations on their ultimate operational Halvordson. In the Operations area I don’t expect employees to notice any potential. I expect their recommenda- under Rick Geschrei, there is a breadth of direct changes immediately. Over the next tions in the next few months, so that by activities on the Groton waterfront as well couple of years, I would hope that people the end of 2005 and certainly by the end as across the country and there are chal- will begin to see that we need to be a very of 2006, we will be able to sustain our lenges associated with getting people who lean organization from a management current success, although we may have a are properly trained to the right place at standpoint, and that the managers will be very different business structure and size. the right time. That’s very different from expected to carry a very significant load. Along the way, I’ve very carefully con- the time we were focused primarily on the We’ll start at the executive staff level to sidered the individuals involved. I don’t waterfront. Mike Alu will remain respon- make sure each person in the group car- believe any organizational structure sible for the Trades, while the test activi- ries a significant share of the business stands on its own – you have to consider ties, which are much more integrated than and additionally operates in a non- the talents and capabilities of the people they were in the past, are going to be led parochial manner. involved. I’ve tried to make sure the peo- by Dave McCall, a retired Naval officer I’m hoping the changes will be viewed ple have the breadth of responsibility who was the first CO of the USS Seawolf. positively by the organization at large. they can handle, while making sure that He will lead nuclear test; hull, mechanical And when there are difficult decisions to their organizations can benefit from their and electrical testing; and non-propulsion be made – and there very likely will be – leadership. electronics systems testing. that those decisions are made with the The Ships Management organization continued on page 8

ELECTRIC BOAT NEWS I November 2004 I 5 USS Ohio Reaches Major Conversion Milestone BREMERTON, Wash. said SSGN Program Manager Capt. Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance he USS Ohio (SSGN-726) William Hilarides. “The SSGN Program Facility and Todd Shipyard. Everyone is reached a major conversion epitomizes NAVSEA’s ‘One Shipyard’ con- pulling together to make this project a suc- T milestone in the refueling, over- cept using a joint government and industry cess,” said Mulligan. haul, and conversion process when it team to rapidly deliver enhanced capabilities “My thanks go out to all the trades, exited its dry-dock Oct. 28. The undock- to our nation.” support staff and management from the ing – also called a float-off – returns the “When you consider that the program east and west coasts for a job well done. ship to water after dry-docking, and sig- only started in December 2002, the fact We recognize each individual for their nals the completion of all hull work. that we were able to design, manufacture, hard work, dedication and commitment Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Inter- build a workforce and complete the to this project. Congratulations on a job mediate Maintenance Facility (PSNSY & required installations in that span of time well done!” IMF) and Electric is unprecedented,” said EB Site Manager “The recent undocking of USS Ohio is Boat are jointly refueling, overhauling Mike Mulligan. “Everything about an impressive milestone achievement.” and converting the Ohio at the shipyard SSGN is transformational – from the said Capt. Clarke Orzalli, shipyard com- here. Ohio is the first of four Trident bal- capability it provides to the Navy, to the mander. “The date was established listic-missile submarines (SSBNs) being EB and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard months ago when the required work was converted into state-of-the-art, multi-mis- partnership and the speed at which the identified, and the team held the sched- sion, guided-missile submarines (SSGNs). project has progressed. The secret to suc- ule. In this first-of-a-kind availability, The submarine is expected to complete cess, however, remains the hard work and projecting schedule dates is extremely dif- refueling, overhaul, and conversion in the commitment of people working on the ficult because of the uncertainty of it fall of 2005, followed by USS Florida project. never having been done before. The fact (SSGN-728), USS Michigan (SSGN- “Personal commitment to safety, quality, that we made the date reinforces the great 727), and USS Georgia (SSGN-729), all cost, schedule and continuous process detail invested in the plan as well as the of which will return to the fleet by 2007. improvement are the ‘can do’ team spirit to overcome those With its conversion now reasons our people uncertainties that came up. I am confi- more than 50 percent com- were able to form a dent that this team, with its detailed plan, plete, Ohio is on schedule cohesive team with will continue to achieve milestones lead- for a return to the fleet Puget Sound Naval ing to on time delivery of this new war- Nov. 15, 2005, followed by fighting capability.” Initial Operational Capa- bility for SSGN in 2007. USS Ohio, the first Trident submarine and “General Dynamics Elec- the first ship to be converted to an SSGN tric Boat, which is in charge configuration, is undocked at Puget Sound of the conversion, and Naval Shipyard. PSNSY & IMF have been Photo courtesy of PSNSY working very well together,”

6 I November 2004 I ELECTRIC BOAT NEWS New Brake Job Improves Servo-Robotic Welding System

hen Electric Boat pur- As an added safety feature, the new it, and Machinist Superintendent Dan chased a servo-robotic brake also features a sensor that will shut Dinneen and company went to bat for us Wwelding system three years the servo-robot down if the brake and produced various parts we needed, ago, it helped revolutionize the process of becomes disengaged for any reason. such as heavier gears. joining submarine hull sections. The brake modifications were among “Other than the case, everything has But as good as the new equipment several improvements that the ECC crew been redone and is now a lot stronger,” was, EB steel trades employees knew it realized were necessary, but the brake Burkle said. “And the manufacturer has could be better. So before long, they set work took on particular importance due since incorporated our improvements, so out to make various modifications, some to a mechanical failure during a hull butt any other new servo unit we would buy welding job on the Virginia (SSN-774) would have those modifications.” of which have proven so beneficial that about a year ago. Steel trades Superintendent Ron Dono- the vendor has since incorporated them “We were right in the middle of the van applauded the teamwork that made at the factory. hull butt when it happened, so the team the servo-robotic enhancements possible. The most notable improvement has had to get it going again,” Halbach said, “This dedicated team, using their expe- been the creation of a new braking sys- adding the experience of the ECC rience, knowledge and skills of their tem, preventing the servo-robotic equip- mechanics was key. “They’ve been doing craft, took the lead in determining the ment from freewheeling down its track in this for a while, so they were able to jump corrective action,” he said. “They con- the event of an electrical or mechanical in there and help.” tacted Manufacturing Engineering, the failure. Halbach said the quick response Machine Shop and the vendor and “This machine can move really fast averted a major setback. “Without the worked with them to implement the when it’s separated from the drive sys- support of the ECC team, we never required changes. I can’t thank them tem,” explained Dave Halbach (229), a would’ve kept the boat’s schedule.” enough for what they did.” foreman in the Equipment Control Cen- Bob Burkle (229), senior manufactur- Besides Halbach, Burkle and Dinneen ter. “So the employees in the ECC got ing representative for the steel trades, said (100), the servo-robotic improvement together and modified a brake that they special credit is also due the Machine team included: foreman Doc Holliday had built for our older welding system, Shop, which fabricated some parts for a and welder Al Smith (both of 229); senior and then installed it on the new equip- more robust transmission for the servo- engineer Dan Booker (467); senior manu- ment. This way, if we lose the drive sys- robotic equipment. facturing representative Tim Kennedy tem, the brake will lock everything in “The transmission, as it turned out, (100); and many other ECC, Machine place.” just didn’t cut it,” he said. “So we rebuilt Shop and Sheetmetal Shop employees.

General Dynamics Awarded Electric Boat To Make $47.7 Million Contract Modification Holiday Donation To Navy- for Submarine Work Marine Corps Relief Society Contribution replaces employee holiday card he U.S. Navy has awarded Electric Boat a $47.7 million contract modification for nuclear-submarine work. n the start of a new tradition, the company Under the terms of the contract modification, Electric Boat will T will make a $10,000 contribution this year to provide design agent, planning yard, engineering and technical support for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. The nuclear submarines. Electric Boat will also provide research and develop- I donation replaces the holiday card mailed to ment support for submarine research vehicles. Initially awarded March 3, employees’ homes. the contract could be worth more than $1.1 billion over five years if all “With this contribution, Electric Boat can have a options are exercised and funded. direct and positive effect on the lives of people who Sixty-two percent of the work will be performed at Groton; 18 percent at are helping ensure our nation’s freedom,” said EB Bangor, Wash.; 14 percent at Kings Bay, Ga.; 5 percent at Newport, R.I.; President John Casey. “We hope this gift will help and 1 percent at Quonset Point, R.I. Work performed under this modifica- remind us all of the true meaning of the holiday tion is expected to be completed by November 2006. season.”

ELECTRIC BOAT NEWS I November 2004 I 7 continued from page 5 Navy Commissions USS Virginia, best interest of the overall organization Lead Ship Of Its Newest Class in mind. Are there any other questions I Of Submarines should have asked but didn’t? I should mention one of the signifi- NORFOLK, Va. – The U.S. Principal speaker U.S. Sen. John cant changes we are making is in the avy last month commis- Warner of Virginia, the chairman of the Engineering organization. Folks who sioned USS Virginia, the Senate Armed Services Committee and develop the production-control docu- Nlead ship in a submarine a former secretary of the Navy, said Vir- ments and the integrated networks that class designed specifically for post-Cold ginia’s multimission design will make we use will become part of the Engineer- War missions. the submarine extremely useful in the ing organization along with the entire The ceremony brought an end to the war on terror, which he said could last Information Technology group. We’ve longest period – nearly six years – since for decades to come. allowed the IT group to exist in various the Navy last commissioned a subma- “We cannot ever blink, we cannot pieces and parts managed by different rine, the USS Connecticut (SSN-22). ever flinch, we cannot yield,” Warner staff members. The creation of design “This ship is the first of a class said. “We must remain strong and lead data and the transfer of that design data embodying leaps in technology and the world, and this ship very definitely to the folks who build the product is capability that will give its crew extraor- will play a role in the war on terror.” really, in simple terms, what we do. dinary war-fighting capabilities,” said The culmination of the event Everything we do flows through our Electric Boat President John Casey. occurred when Ship Sponsor Lynda Information Technology infrastructure. “Virginia’s defining characteristic, how- Johnson Robb – the wife of former Vir- One of my expectations is that Pete ever, is a design that accommodates spi- ginia U.S. Sen. Charles Robb and Halvordson will be able to streamline the ral development and technology over daughter of former President Lyndon flow of information and make the the course of its lifetime. Johnson – gave the orders to “man this organization much more efficient. “That’s one down and 29 to go,” he ship and bring her to life.” With that, said, referring to the 30-ship class envi- the crew responded, “Aye, aye, ma’am!” sioned by the Navy. “And they need to and ran to man the rails of the ship. be built at a rate of two per year.” USS Virginia later sailed up to the Speaking after Casey, Chief of Naval sub base in Groton where it will begin a Operations Vern Clark responded to full range of operational testing and Electric Boat’s call for a higher build evaluation. rate. “John, I especially appreciate the work you did today with the Congress and their commitment to resources,” said Clark. “Way to go.” He went on the describe USS Virginia as “the most advanced warship ever to sail beneath the seas.”

At left, the crew of USS Virginia (SSN-774) man the ship during her commissioning ceremony. Virginia is the Navy's only major combatant to join the fleet that was designed with the post- Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the war fighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. Virginia will be homeported in Groton, Conn. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy.

88 IINovemberNovember 20042004 IIELECTRICELECTRIC BOATBOAT NEWSNEWS Riddell Describes Nautilus Experiences Former SSN-571 skipper speaks at Submarine Museum

etired Rear Adm. Dick Rid- Nautilus had a perverse nature that dell, GD’s director of undersea made some of us wonder whether the Rwarfare programs, shared per- submarine was a bit human at times. The sonal stories and experiences from his first day I was in command, we were at assignment as the last commanding offi- sea and I wanted to see some drills. The cer of USS Nautilus at a recent talk at the first drill was to be a “jam dive” drill, sim- Submarine Museum in Groton. ulating the stern planes going to full dive. Riddell served as CO of Nautilus from We were ready to commence this drill Retired Rear Adm. Dick Riddell, GD’s director of 1976 to 1980. His presentation was part when the stern planes went to full dive. undersea warfare programs, in a photo taken of a series of lectures the museum is hold- The planesmen took all of the correct during his assignment as the last CO of USS ing to commemorate the 50th anniversary actions and the recovery went well. I told Nautilus of the Electric Boat-built ship this year. the executive officer that the drill was which was near the crew’s mess. Dispos- Some excerpts of his presentation excellent, but he should get my permis- ing of engineering waste water down the follow: sion before commencing drills in the Trash Disposal Unit struck me as strange, future. The executive officer told me that but I saw no alternative. However, to doc- Having command of any nuclear sub- the jam dive was not a drill, but the real ument this unusual procedure, I submit- marine is a wonderful thing. But Nautilus thing – happening just when we were ted a report to the Naval Sea System was truly special because it had a lot of ready to conduct the same drill. Command. This report, like the one name recognition. This name recognition ■■■ about the stalactites, also created a stir. led to a lot of special treatment through- Let me share with you a couple of sto- This time, the phone call from Washing- out its life. Visitors knew about the ship, ries concerning my communications with ton said that if we had to dispose of engi- and we hosted a large number of VIPs the Naval Sea Systems Command. Dur- neering waste water down the Trash Dis- because of the ship’s history. Even my ing my first entry into the Nautilus Reac- posal Unit, do not report this to the mother had heard of Nautilus from news tor Compartment, I noted salt stalactites Naval Sea System Command. I was told reports in the 1950s. hanging down from some valves in the that the staff did not want to go through ■■■ overhead of the compartment. I ques- the pain of explaining this unusual proce- Nautilus operated like a “real” submarine, tioned the petty officer with me about the dure to their superiors ever again. all the way until decommissioning. There stalactites, and he told me that they were ■■■ was nothing that other submarines did that from the saltwater side of coolant dis- There was a fairly narrow passageway we couldn’t do (or at least try to do). charge valves. It was hard to stop external in the engineering spaces, between several ■■■ leaks from these valves, so the stalactites reactor control panels. On a couple of I have been discussing the operations of had been tolerated. We removed the sta- occasions, someone had bumped into a Nautilus late in her life because I find it lactites, properly fixed the valves, and I switch on these panels, causing problems astounding that this submarine, with its submitted a report to Admiral Rickover. with the ship’s engineering systems. We first-of-a-kind propulsion plant, could The report of the salt stalactites appar- took a picture of the fattest sailor on operate so well for almost 25 years. This is ently created quite a stir at Naval Reac- board standing in the narrow passage- like the Wright Brothers aircraft being tors, with the Admiral asking many ques- way, illustrating the closeness of a person used for passenger service for 25 years, or tions of his staff. I received a phone call to the important switches in that area. I the first Model T Ford being used as a from the Admiral’s staff requesting that I requested permission to install safety taxi in a big city for 25 years. Although call them in advance of reporting such an covers over these switches to prevent there have been many improvements in unusual problem, so that they could have inadvertent shifting when bumped, and I the propulsion plants of subsequent sub- an explanation prepared when the report enclosed the picture. Instead of receiving marines, Nautilus was good enough from arrived at the Admiral’s office. permission for the safety covers, Adm. the beginning to be a significant fleet ■■■ Rickover called and asked me why I had asset throughout her life. My tour on During one of my first periods at sea, such a fat guy on board. I was directed to Nautilus really made me appreciate the the engineer officer told me that Nautilus get the sailor in shape or to get rid of genius of Admiral Rickover and his team had no way of getting rid of engineering him. I never did get permission for the in building a propulsion plant that could waste water except for dumping the water safety covers. run hard for 25 years. down the ship’s Trash Disposal Unit, continued on page 12 ■■■ ELECTRIC BOAT NEWS I November 2004 I 9 Retirees Classified 200 Norma-Jean A. $ AUTOS/TRUCKS Chandonnait Classified Ad Form 30 years ACURA - 2000 RL, black, garaged, Prin Mfg Rep excellent condition, loaded, 58k, new tires and battery, Bose sound, Name leather, $18,700. 739-0302 246 Craig A. Brown evenings. Dept. Ext. 26 years Foreman CHEVY S-10 PICKUP, 1993 – 5 One form per ad; 25 words per ad; two ad maximum per speed, V6, body & paint, runs issue. No faxed or phoned-in ads. 272 Rene L. St. Pierre strong, need tlc; $875 or best offer. Include item description, price and home telephone 30 years 401-738-9114. (List area code if outside 860) Foreman CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, Circle category: 1996 – 95k miles, V6, 3.3L, new Appliances Computers Pets Real Estate / 425 Paul Whitehead Goodyear 60k tires, 12 disk cd Autos / Trucks Furniture Real Estate / Sales 45 years changer, must see; $6,000. 464- Auto Parts Miscellaneous Rentals Wanted Eng Suppt-Instr Serv 5160. Boats Motorcycles 452 Charles J. Woods Jr FORD EXPLORER, 1992 – Eddie Bauer Edition. Over 200k miles, 33 years needs work; $1,000 or best offer. Design Tech-Piping 401-596-6124. 614 Alice Conger JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, 2000 – 30 years 61k, V6, loaded, tow pkg, new Workers Comp Specialist tires, mint, garaged, non-smoker, pewter metallic; $11,000. 444- Mail to Crystal Smith • EB Classifieds • Department 605 • Station J88-10 636 Barbara C. Windischhofer 6392. 36 years MERCEDES 300D, 1983 – dark A/A Administrative Aide blue, standard, great condition, V-drive FWC 400 hrs, color gps, 110 V, 12 A , 1050W & 60 Hz; $155 or runs well, dependable transporta- radar, vhf radio, full camper can- best offer. 857-7881. 795 Edward J. Parchaiski tion; $2,000. 536-1047. vas, fwd & aft bunk, galley 40 years SOUND MIXING CONSOLE – VOLKSWAGON JETTA, 1999 – dinette/bunk, captain & cockpit Logistics Specialist Audio Centurion 16x4x2, very ver- excellent condition, 61k miles, seats; $35,900. 446-1795. satile, perfect for home studio, live fully loaded; $8,500, call 599-2677, 901 Harold W. Braley Jr MISCELLANEOUS gigs. Road case, misc. path cords ask for Linda or leave message. 27 years AMERICAN GIRL DOLL CLOTHES included; $650. 228-0059. Install Tech III AUTO PARTS and furniture, child’s rocking chair, UPLAND WOOD STOVE – with SEAT COVERS – (2) plush dark doll’s wooden cradle, children’s ducting, $100; 16” girl’s bicycle 902 Darwin R. Jasperson grey sheep skin seat covers. books, Fisher Price dollhouse, with training wheels, $10; 10 gal- 29 years Hardly used, designed for bucket new porcelain doll, small piano. lon aquarium with stand and all Foreman seats. Non-compatible with side 401-596-5788. accessories, $10. 464-1384. air bags; $100 for the pair. 401- DRAPERIES, manual typewriter, REAL ESTATE 902 Larry E. Logan 789-4304. ravioli-maker, Wolfschmidt Vodka 27 years TIMESHARE – Fairfield Daytona framed mirror, end table, stuffed Struct Fab Mech I SNOW TIRES – four 185/70R14 Ocean Walk, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, chair, Star Wars collectibles, Crissy Cooper Weathermaster XGR full kitchen, oceanfront. 500 Race doll, Miss Piggy doll, vintage jew- 915 Edward G. Langford snow tires, used one winter, 6700 Week 2/13/05 – 2/20/05, 5 miles miles, on aluminum wheels that elry, collectible glassware. 401- 36 years from track; $1,500/wk. 904-277- fit Subaru and Chrysler; $99. 908- 596-5788. Area Superintendent 8553. 1059. ENGAGEMENT RING – 14 kt. Yel- TIMESHARE FOR SALE – New- low gold, 1/4 ct. diamond solitaire, 935 Lee R. Marsh BOATS port Bay Club in downtown New- 29 years Tiffany setting full cut, Tilden-Thru- CANOE – Old Town 14.5 ft., poly- port, RI. Week 28 (July), and week Prod Supp Tech II ber appraisal; $600. 401-885-3419. link hull, paddles, life preservers; 1 (New Year’s week). Both weeks $400 or best offer. 546-6632. PORTABLE ELECTRIC THREAD- for $7,500. 546-6449. 950 Richard F. Leland ING MACHINE – PVC Amature 29 years 32 FT. CRUISERS ESPRIT Housing, cast aluminum head, Prod Planner EXPRESS, 1989 – T-350 Mercruiser cast iron digs 1/2”, 3/4”, 1 & 1 1/4”,

10 I November 2004 I ELECTRIC BOAT NEWS Service Awards

45 years 35 years 25 years 200 Norman R. Tonucci 228 William J. Rivero 355 Anthony G. Lupinacci 242 Richard A. Walsh 915 John S. Warren 230 Nicholas J. Stimac 355 Stephen S. Sorensen 246 Robert N. Wraight 935 Thomas L. Sullivan Jr 355 Ernest J. Vacca Jr 355 Lawrence J. Wilhelm 251 Sandra J. Houle years 400 Nancy J. Cramer 448 Michael A. Crowley 272 Paul D. Sanford 40 452 Robert F. Burdick 495 Craig R. Richardson 341 Gustave P. Brucker III years 456 Philip E. Clark 629 Steven A. Ruzzo 402 Linda M. Smith 20 200 John A. Azzinaro 456 John W. Holt 741 Peter N. Bourque 438 Michael J. Havican 229 George R. Strutt 458 Alexander Vollaro 795 Thomas B. Stuckey 445 Kevin R. Keating 226 Frederic E. Trombley 274 Thomas W. Gavitt 501 Thomas J. Forgue 863 Ronnie E. Simmons 452 Michael S. Buck 229 Mario G. Mendonca 330 Elizabeth M. 604 Ernestine M. Clark 904 Otto K. Kraft 452 Anthony J. Gigliotti Jr 229 Paul G. Miller Henderson 915 Ronald A. Shaw 904 Joseph P. Silva Jr 452 Frank G. McDonald 243 Michael J. Tripp 355 Roy D. Perkins 957 Arnold C. Mohring 911 Robert M. Clark 456 Joseph P. Gargano Jr 447 Robety D. Volpe 400 Raymond 911 Barry R. Crowley 456 Thomas J. Sainsbury 454 Debra E. Pare Williams Jr 911 Richard J. Petrucci 459 Rosanne G. 459 Robert J. Vincent 403 Raymond E. years 911 Louis A. Pizzi Greenman 686 Christopher W. Laznovsky Cameron 915 John Enos 459 Joshua C. McCray 404 George E. Taylor 30 706 David J. Evans Sr 460 Robert L. Weese Jr 425 George S. 915 John M. Medeiros 200 Joseph Botelho 901 Stephen Beauchemin McGowan Jr 915 Kenneth A. Pigeon 462 Martin J. Purcell 221 Rita K. Barber 915 Dennis R. Burns 431 Chester B. 924 Frank A. Austin 462 Cynthia E. White Zeeman Jr 226 Michael J. Lajoie 924 Lawrence A. Autieri 472 Linda J. Widstrom 452 Harold L. Bentley 336 Keith H. Williams 935 Walter J. Morris 496 William R. Kent Jr 459 Robert J. SanJuan 227 Joel S. Russell 970 John Capilli Jr 501 Kenneth J. Billington 660 Mario T. Rebello 229 James B. Ashworth 545 Dennis A. Riley 950 James B. Gough 229 Gary D. Smigiel 604 Michael L. Swartz 242 Tyler W. Johnson 605 Irene H. Notta 242 Joseph P. Kiley 805 John T. Hayward 248 William A. Bradshaw 852 Calvin McCoy Sr 274 Dale R. Schwenkner 901 Paul S. Gillespie 321 Walter F. Cwynar 902 Donal P. O’Connell 330 Stephen A. Leiter 911 Gregory S. Laplant 330 Muriel R. Valentini 915 Robert J. Peltier Jr

ELECTRIC BOAT NEWS I November 2004 I 11 STANDARD PRESORT U.S. POSTAGE PAID GROTON, CT PERMIT NO. 392

Riddell Describes Nautilus Experiences continued from page 9

■■■ the chief talk to the press. Before I could Nautilus. Things were never boring on My last story began in Groton, when answer, the Admiral said, “If anyone that submarine. Nautilus was ready to depart for the final needs to talk to the press about Nautilus, I find it incredible that the Nautilus time and head for Mare Island Naval it should be you.” propulsion plant, designed and built over Shipyard. Some press were invited on ■■■ 50 years ago, is still the model for today’s board Nautilus by the local Group Com- After we went through the Panama submarine propulsion plants. We’ve come mander (an Admiral), but I elected not to Canal, we stopped in San Diego before a long way in every aspect of nuclear talk to the press because of the training I going to the shipyard. In San Diego, the propulsion, but the plants are fundamen- had received at the Naval Reactors local group commander arranged for tally the same. I am convinced that a Prospective Commanding Officers’ some press to come on board. I talked graduate of the S1W prototype (if it were Course. The famous Naval Reactors line briefly to the press, and the resulting still operating) could be assigned to USS was, “If you don’t talk to the press, that newspaper article was restrained and Virginia, our newest submarine, and suc- is bad; but if you do talk to the press, accurate, just like my chief’s had been. To cessfully make the transition. that is worse.” The press eventually found my surprise, Admiral Rickover called me I will also never get over my amaze- one of my Chief Petty Officers on the and said, “Why are you talking to the ment that the first-of-a-kind propulsion pier and got him to talk a bit about the press. If anyone needs to talk to the press plant would operate so well, allowing ship and the forthcoming inactivation. about Nautilus, it will be me.” I now fully Nautilus to be a full member of the fleet When the article was published, the understood what I had been taught at the for 25 years. Admiral Rickover and his chief’s comments were very restrained Naval Reactors Prospective Commanding people did something magical. As a and accurate, and I considered the situa- Officers’ Course. result, the U.S. Submarine Force played a tion to be closed. However, Admiral As is probably apparent, I had a won- major role in winning the Cold War. Rickover called me and asked why I let derful time as commanding officer of