Submarine Sailor

My shadow box...

2010-06-03T22:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I've made a shadow box to commemorate my time in the Navy. It took me quite some time, but it's finally finished. Obvious choices of things to put in there were my dolohins, ribbons and crow from my dress blues, but I've also acquired some other submarine related patches and such over the years that I added to that as well.

As far as construction that took a bit of time. First I had to take everthying I had a find out how big I needed the frame to be. My wife and I found a 16" x 20" shadow box at a local craft store that ended up working perfectly. I stained the frame american cherry and then sprayed a clear finish over it to protect the frame.

The next day I kept my wife company at the embroidery shop she works at and took the felt we had bought and laid everything out how it would fit and how I liked. I pinned all the patches and she sewed them all down for me. I took this home and we stitched the felt to the carboard backing. I put in black cording (not pictured) with hot glue in the borders to hide the stitching.

USS Providence command coins for sale

2007-05-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

I have 6 command coins from USS Providence (SSN-719) for sale. Four of them have a clear resin over them, the other two are without the resin. The front side of the coin has the ship's seal and the back has the dolphins and "pride runs deep" around them. Also the border of the back has the ship's motto, "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harms way." I'm asking $13 for each of them or I'll trade for other coins (submarine related only please). I'll accept check or paypal.

resin coated coin (click for larger pics) Non-resin coated coin

I'll get better pictures up here soon as I can get some that aren't all fuzzy. As with other things I've sold before either drop me a post or email me and I'll send these out as soon as possible.

Zippo Lighters for sale

2007-05-20T03:56:00.000-07:00

Like I've mentioned before, I'll be leaving the area and going back home soon. In preparation my wife and I had yard sale and I figured I'd put something up here for my visitors. I have 12 Zippo lighters from USS Providence (SSN-719) for sale. They are all new, never used and still in the original standard black Zippo box. The body of the lighter has the ship's seal and the cap has the dolphins emblem. I'm asking $15 for each of them. I'll accept check or paypal.

If anyone is interested drop me a post or email and I'll send them out to the first 12 people to contact me.

5,000th Visitor

2007-05-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

Today marks my 5,oooth visitor to my site that I started back in April 2005. I reset my counter to keep things a bit managable and so I can mark the next milestone again in the future. Kepp on enjoying the site, hopefully I'll have more time to post now that I won't be at sea anymore.

Civilian life here I come!

2007-05-07T21:25:00.000-07:00

Well I'm off to the civilian world. I signed my DD-214 today and checked out on terminal leave. Only 28 more days left! Also got a nice little separation pay that I wasn't expecting at all! I didn't quite realize exactly how much there is to do before I complete this transition. Eventually I'll get around to posting some photos from deployment as promised, but as you can imagine I've been busy getting everything ready. I'll just have to add it to my list of things to do....

I'm back!!

2007-04-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it's been I while since I've posted anything. As some of you may have guessed I've been on deployment. It was a long trip where we went around the world, traveling over 46,000 nautical miles over the 206 days we were gone. We made port calls in India, Singapore, Japan, Okinawa, and Pearl Harbor as well as traniting bothe the Suez and Panama Canals. As I have time I'll put up posts with some pictures from my travels to share with you all. Enjoy!

My New Coin Collection

2006-08-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

So I've recently started a coin collection like many people in the Navy. I've only got a few right now. The top coin is from Submarinestore.com while the bottom 2 are from Northwest Territorial Mint. These aren't actual pictures of my coins, but rather pictures from the respective sites. The 2 I have from Northwest Territorial Mint are engravable on the back and I had the dates that I graduated MM 'A' School and made 2nd class engraved on the backs of those.

Great series by H. Jay Riker

2006-08-12T20:45:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest in another series of submarine books. This one I borrowed from my new LPO this last underway. In this series the author explores the life of different class submarines. This particular book he sends us on an adventure aboord the newly converted SSGN, the USS Ohio. So I went to the bookstore and bought this and another in his series. I'm looking forward to reading it perhaps this next underway if I finish my current book. So check out his outher books in the series Grayback Class, Los Angelos Class, Seawolf Class, and Virginia Class for more submarine adventures.

Great series by Joe Buff

2006-08-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

Recently I've been spending a lot of my off-watch time reading books. Which inspired me for a new post. (I know it's been a while, but hey, I've been at sea.) A year or two ago I picked up a book called Tidal Rip. It was about what is basically World War III and submarines are play a big part. As it turns out Tidal Rip was part of a series of books by Joe Buff. The series details the adventure of Captain Jeffery Fuller and his ship the USS Challenger. His ship is unlike any other out there. The best thing is each book can be read by itself and you won't be completely lost. So check out his other books Thunder in the Deep, Deep Sound Channel, Crush Depth, Tidal Rip, Straight's of Power, and Seas of Crisis to continue the adventures of Jeffery Fuller.

Navy confers honorary CPO appointment on terminally ill child

2006-04-06T17:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've been able to update my blog. I've been busy on the boat. Nothing to occupy one's time like ORSE and TRE. Well, I'm back home for a while and hope to add more to this wonderful blog.

I'm gonna drift away from submarines for this story. I think you'll agree with me it deserves to be shared with everyone. Sailors may have some not-so-great stereotypes, but every now and then the Navy does something truly wonderful. The Navy has awarded 5-yr old Diego E. Santiago the honorary rank of chief petty officer in the United States Navy.

read the full story at the below link:
Navy confers honorary CPO appointment on terminally ill child

Submarines, great for selling beer

2005-12-20T14:10:00.000-08:00

I came across this video clip the other day while cruising around the internet for sub pictures and videos. It shows a Dutch submarine (Walrus(2) Class) surfacing near what I assume is the beer factory. Check out the X-rudder reminiscent of USS Albacore, an experimental platform used by the US Navy.

Submarine beer commercial

The Power of an ADCAP Torpedo

2005-12-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

The torpedo warhead contains explosive power equivalent to approximately 1200 pounds of TNT. This explosive power is maximized when the warhead detonates below the keel of the target ship, as opposed to striking it directly. When the detonation occurs below the keel, the resulting pressure wave of the explosion "lifts" the ship and can break its keel in the process. As the ship "settles" it is then seemingly hit by a second detonation as the explosion itself rips through the area of the blast. This combined effect often breaks smaller targets in half and can severely disable larger vessels.

USS Parche Commemorative Coin

2005-10-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

USS Parche was decommisioned on Oct 19, 2004. This is the coin porduced by Northwest Territorial Mint to commemorate the occassion. A total of 1,100 coins were produced from metal taken directly from the Parche itself. Eighty seven of the original 1,100 coins were presented to the members of Parche’s final crew. These eighty-seven coins contained a special reverse and were inscribed with the names of the respective crew members. The remaining 1,013 coins were distributed to Parche’s past crew members.

Remembering past watches...

2005-10-03T21:16:00.000-07:00

Having moved on in my qualifications I know stand Auxialaryman of the Watch underway. About the only thing I miss from standing Helm/Planes is when we were on the surface someone had to be the Lookout (when the weather was good, that is). Below is a picture of a sunset (with a boomer) like many I've had the opportunity to see before diving. Sunset's just look better when there's nothing else around to see.

My latest award...

2005-10-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

The good ship USS Providence (SSN-719) recently returned from completing our INSURV inspection. I am the Damage Control Petty Officer so I got to walk around with a full bird Captain and have all of my DC gear inspected for 3 days. Thinks went so well that the Friday after we were done I received a NAM for doing a good job.

I was quite surprised to say the least. This is my first NAM so it's pretty nice to be able to add another ribbon to my chest, especially one for something that I actually did as opposed to all the other I got because I was in the right place at the right time.

Colission between USS Philadelphia and Turkish freighter

2005-09-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

Well as most people know by now the Philly hit a Turkish freighter during a surface transit to Baharain. I can't even begin to imagine how this is possible. How do you just not see another vessel with all the equipment onboard let alone your own two eyes? Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming either ship. It is entirely possible neither ship had room to maneuver. We won't know until the official report comes out. Here's an excert from The New London Day on the collision (free registration required; complete story is here:

"Sources said the freighter was coming up behind the submarine about 30 miles off the Bahrain coast and apparently ran right up over the back of the ship, scraping along the starboard side of the hull, the fairwater plane, the rudder and the housing for the towed sonar array. The sources said under international maritime "rules of the road," any vessel overtaking another must automatically yield the right of way, so if the M/V Yaso Aysen is found to have been overtaking the submarine, then legally the Philadelphia would be in the clear, which could mean the Navy is not responsible for legal damages to the freighter. But a Navy investigation could still conclude the Philadelphia captain and navigation team should never have let the freighter get close enough to hit it, and the captain and some members of the crew could still face some kind of punishment, the sources said."

Russian Juliett 484 Submarine: K-77

2005-07-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.juliett484.org/juliett/index.html

I found this website the other day just by accident. It is for a Juliett class Russian cruise missle attack submarine. It has been turned into a museum at Providence, RI. Just before I reported to USS Providence (SSN-719), my division used to do volunteer work helping restore it.

Lego submarine

2005-07-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a little insight to my other hobby besides submarines. I collect Lego sets. Only the Star Wars sets though. Yes, I know. I'm a dork. Oh, well, I enjoy it anyway. Check out this Lego representation of a submarine. Too bad it'd only sink with all the seams in the bricks.

Lego Submarine

Fellow submarine bloggers

2005-07-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Xopher and chaoticsynapticactivity for adding my to their blogs. I've added links to their blogs in the right hand column. Pay them a visit and enjoy.

Radio controlled Typhoon submarine

2005-07-04T11:48:00.000-07:00

Copyright © 2003 John T. VanderHeiden

So there I was just searching the Internet for some cool pictures to add to my blog and I came across this awesome site. This guy John decided to build a RC submarine from scratch. His website takes you thru it's entire construction for fabricating the hull to sea trials. It even has working missle tubes. As you can see from the picture this was quite an endeavor. Check out his site at the link below:
John's RC Boats

MM2(SS) Joseph A. Ashley and USS San Francisco (SSN 711)

2005-04-27T18:03:00.000-07:00

By now we're all aware of the grounding of the USS San Francisco (SSN 711) on January , 2005. Visit this blog for the complete story:
Submarine Brotherhood

Also, in the right hand column I've added a link to MM2(SS) Joseph A. Ashley's Guestbook. Please visit and show your support to the Ashley family.

The Night Before ORSE

2005-04-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

Any submariner out there knows the hell that is an ORSE work-up. Endless drills... constant cleaning... tests for the nukes... and LOK's for all of Engineering Dept... So here's a little something similar to "The Night Before Christmas" to raise your spirits.

The Night Before ORSE

For all you who hate PMS

2005-04-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a little something for all of you who know the pain that PMS can be. Just yesterday my entire division's liberty was secured till all the PMS for the week was done. I know it has happened to you to. (You'll need Adobe Reader to view file)

MRC D-1R Perform bowel movement

"Qualified in submarines"

2005-04-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

The wearing of Dolphins is a longstanding naval tradition. Earning Dolphins is a significant event in submariner's career; a special high point that instills tremendous personal pride and a sense of accomplishment.

The origin of the U.S. Navy's Submarine Service Insignia dates back to 1923. On 13 June of that year, Captain Ernest J. King, USN, later to become Fleet Admiral and Chief of Naval Operations during World War II, and at that time Commander Submarine Division Three, suggested to the Secretary of the Navy, via the old Bureau of Navigation, that a distinguishing device for qualified submariners be adopted. The design chosen consisted of a bow view of a submarine proceeding on the surface, with bow planes rigged for diving, flanked by dolphins in horizontal positions with their heads resting on the upper edge of the bow planes.

The Officer Insignia was then and is now a gold plated metal pin, worn above the left breast pocket. Enlisted men wore the insignia, embroidered in silk, on the outside of the right sleeve, midway between the wrist and the elbow. In mid-1947 the embroidered device shifted from the sleeve of the enlisted man's jumper to above the left breast pocket. Subsequently, silver metal Dolphins were approved for enlisted men.

Dolphins are earned through a rigorous qualification process. Individuals must learn the location of equipment, operation of complex systems, damage control procedures and have a general knowledge of operational characteristics of their boat. Dolphin wearers qualify initially on one boat and must requalify on each boat to which they are subsequently assigned. Once Dolphins have been earned, they are awarded to the individual by the Commanding Officer in a special ceremony.

The qualification certificate reads: "Having successfully completed the rigorous professional requirements for qualification in submarines, having gained a through knowledge of submarine construction and operation, having demonstrated his reliability under stress, and having my full confidence and trust, I hereby certify that he is Qualified in Submarines"

Profile of a Submariner

2005-04-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

(Written by Dr. Joyce Brothers following the loss of THRESHER in 1963) The tragic loss of the submarine Thresher and 129 men had a special kind of an impact on the nation.....a special kind of sadness, mixed with universal admiration for the men who choose this type of work.
One could not mention the Thresher without observing, in the same breath how utterly final and alone the end is when a ship dies at the bottom of the sea....and what a remarkable specimen of man it must be who accepts such a risk.
Most of us might be moved to conclude, too, that a tragedy of this kind would have a damaging effect on the morale of the other men in the submarine service and tend to discourage future enlistment.
Actually, there is no evidence that this is so.
What is it then, that lures men to careers in which they spend so much of their time in cramped quarters, under great psychological stress, with danger lurking all about them? Togetherness is an overworked term, but in no other branch of our military service is it given such full meaning as in the "silent service".
In an undersea craft, each man is totally dependent upon the skill of every other man in the crew, not only for top performance but for actual survival. Each knows that his very life depends on the others and because this is so, there is a bond among them that both challenges and comforts them.
All of this gives the submariner a special feeling of pride, because he is indeed a member of an elite corps.
The risks, then, are an inspiration rather than a deterrent.
The challenge of masculinity is another factor which attracts men to serve on submarines. It certainly is a test of a man's prowess and power to know he can qualify for this highly selective service.
However, it should be emphasized that this desire to prove masculinity is not pathological, as it might be in certain dare-devil pursuits, such as driving a motorcycle through a flaming hoop. There is nothing daredevilish about motivations of the man who decides to dedicate his life to the submarine service.
He does, indeed, take pride in demonstrating that he is quite a man, but he does not do so to practice a form of foolhardy brinkmanship, to see how close he can get to failure and still snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
On the contrary, the aim in the submarine service is to battle danger, to minimize the risk, to take every measure to make certain that safety, rather than danger, is maintained at all times.
Are the men in the submarine service braver than those in other pursuits where the possibilty of a sudden tragedy is constant? The glib answer would be to say they are. It is more accurate, from a psychological point of view, to say they are not necessarily braver, but that they are men who have a little more insight into themselves and their capabilities.
They know themselves a little better than the next man. This has to be so with men who have a healthy reason to volunteer for a risk. They are generally a cut healthier emotionally than others of the similar age and background because of their willingness to push themselves a little bit farther and not settle for an easier kind of existence.
We all have tremendous capabilities but are rarely straining at the upper level of what we can do; these men are.
This country can be proud and grateful that so many of its sound, young, eager men care enough about their own stature in life and the welfare of their country to pool their skills and match them collectively against the power of the sea.

In the beginning.....

2005-04-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Just started this blog adding to my other blog. I'm in the US Navy on the USS Providence (SSN-719) and pretty busy at work so it'll be slow for me to get this up but I'll keep on posting new stuff when I can. Right now I hope to get some thing up that we can all laugh about and enjoy. Then I'd like to add pictures and other things. Hope you all enjoy.