208 - February 26, 2006 7:00 pm

Name:

Emmett Wilson

Tender:

USS Apollo AS-25

Comments:

My father, Emmett Wilson, from Des Moines, IA proudly served on this tender as a Carpenter's Mate. I'd love to hear from anyone who knew him. Thank you, Julie Fuller

209 - January 24, 2006 7:00 pm

Name:

Dale K. Hubbartt

Tender:

USS Hunley AS-31

Comments:

I was stationed aboard USS Hunley AS-31, from nov 72- nov 74. We were relieved on station Guam by the USS Proteus AS-19. I was serving with the USMC DETACHMENT at the time of my service. I am trying to find a copy of the cruise book that was printed upon our departure from Guam. Any help in this mater would be greatly appreicated... Respectfully Submitted Dale K. Hubbartt AMS1(AW) USNR

210 - January 21, 2006 7:00 pm

Name:

James D. Bowers III

Tender:

USS Hunley AS-31

Comments:

PNCM James D. Bowers Jr served aboard USS HUNLEY (AS 31) at Naval Weapons Station Charleston, SC from late 1974 to June 1977. He served as Personnel Officer/Admin LCPO during this time. He retired from the navy in 1979 at Millington, TN. Those who knew Dad know that he was a pretty intense individual and was tough to work for. Unfortunately, he suffered a stroke in 1990, and it left him partially paralized on his right side. His demeanor changed to a nice, peaceful older man who was a joy to be around. Dad suffered a heart attack, and passed away December 9, 2005. For those who remember Dad, you are encouraged to write me James D. Bowers III, PNC, USN (Retired).

211 - January 12, 2006 7:00 pm

Name:

Larry Arnett

Tender:

USS Proteus AS-19

Comments:

I was in E Division..... mostly working in Main Propulsion. Since the ol lady was a diesel electric propulsion we had lots of work keeping the generators and motors in shape. Of course we also had to handle all the electric power for the subs alongside. That meant "humping" the large shore power cables from the ship to the boats. Watches were stood at the shore power control station next to the auxiallary boiler room. The power for the boats came from the ships generators not actually from a off ship source so it meant alot of work for the electricians and the engine-men to keep things going. Anyone remember the breakdown at sea where we lost the bearings on one of the main shafts? The ship did all their own work to smelt...machine and remake the bearings for that repair. During the trip back to Mare Island I got moved to the CPO's mess to do the night cook job. Also did all the movie showing. I spent most of my time at Mare Island doing fire watches for the welders. Talk about a skate job. Got discharged in April of 73. Thought about staying in the Vallejo area but ended up back in my home town of Lansing, MI. TenderTale I brought back alot of memories. All though your time and my time on the Proteus only over lapped by about 6 months I knew about your trip to Australia and the stow away from other sailors I kept in touch with after I got out. I had been in Guam almost a year and a half so the time in Mare Island was like a ongoing party. Living in the transit barracks with real beds....eating in a mess hall that had fresh veggies and real milk. All the good things. Plus.... in 72 the west coast...Bay area was happening. We took rides to Berkely...rode the Greyhound to Frisco..... made the most of any free time we had. I had started my Navy time on Treasure Island so I had a good feel for the area and didnt have any problem getting around. I had a girl friend I met at the Navy Exchange who had a car and we went everywhere. I also bought a motorcycle (Norton) through the Navy Exchange in Guam and picked it up when it arrived in Vallejo at a bike dealer. That made me a real hit around the barracks. Well....needless to say reading your bio brought back alot of memories and that last page made me choke up a bit. Must be something about leaving a ship you called home and the people you called your family for those many months. One of my favorite books " Blinds Man Bluff" by Sherry Sontag ... don't know if you read it but its tells alot of what we sailors knew...but couldn't say. Regarding the last reunion.... I was planning to go but my wife was hospitalized during the summer before the reunion and I had to change my plans. Im hoping nothing goes astray so I can attend the reunion this coming fall. I really would look forward to meeting and talking with guys like you and telling the "sea tales". Hey....know any good Andys Hut tales....or my comshaw tale is better than yours.....

212 - April 18, 2005 8:00 pm

Name:

Joe Umlauf

Tender:

USS Proteus AS-19

Comments:

I recently came accross you r web site. WOW!!! did it bring back lots of good old memories. There is one old friend of mine mentioned on the USS Proteus page by the Name of Scott freeman. I have been trying to locate him for a long time now. I tried the e-mail address that was provided and it got returned, I know you are probably very busy, however, I f time permits could yopu see if there is some other form of contact information for him IE. better e-mail address or phone number. Thanks in advance for the help, again great web site J. Umlauf

213 - April 9, 2005 8:00 pm

Name:

Jeff Suekoff

Tender:

USS Emory S. Land

Comments:

I am HTC(SW) Jeff Suekoff, and by heart, I am a tender Sailor. Now I am on a gas turbine surface combatant, but my heart is still on the Emory S Land, where I spent five years in the mid-late nineties. I qualified ESWS on a tender. Made Second Class on a tender. Learned most of the qualities I needed to be a sucessful Navy leader on a tender, and even met my wife on a tender. I read through your web pages and feel haunted by my memories. The Tender Navy is truely a different place. People who have never experienced it will never understand, but I do. Anyway I just wanted to thank you for your time and maybe help break down what modern tenders repair departments were like: R-1 Hull Repair Division: 11A- Shipfitters; 17A- Sheetmetal; 26A/B- Weld Shop and Nuclear Weld Shop; 56A- Pipe Shop; 56C- Flex Hose; 57A- Lag Shop; R-2 Machinery Repair Division; R-3 Electrical Repair; R-4 Electronic Repair R-5 Radiological Controls; R-6 General Services (Rigging, Carpentry, Foundry, Divers, Canvas); R-7 Planning and Estimating; R-8 Quality Assurance; R-9 Outside Machine; R-10 Nuclear Repair; This was the basic Layout of tenders in Norfolk at least during the late 80's/90's. Take Care jeff Suekoff

214 - April 6, 2005 8:00 pm

Name:

Ralph William MacAllester Jr

Tender:

USS Proteus AS-19

Comments:

My Grandfather Ralph William MacAllester Jr (Nov 2, 1913 - Oct 8, 1995), served on the Proteus as an electrician's mate during World War II and was on her in Tokyo Bay for Japan's surrender. After the war, he returned to Massachusetts where he started a business as a master electrician, and was also very much involved in the community. I have a scanned photo of him and some (maybe all??) of the crew . I can recognize my grandfather, the gentleman on the far left in the back row, but i have no idea who the other folks are. [Posted on Proteus' Page 2] Is there anybody out there who can ID these men? Anybody got some neat stories about my grandfather or about service on the Proteus during the war they would like to share? I regret that I didn't ask Grandpa about it before he passed, so I am hoping that someone has some Tender Tales to tell that I can add to our family legends.

215 - March 9, 2005 7:00 pm

Name:

Ron Bergstrom

Tender:

USS LY Spear

Comments:

I served on board the USS LY Spear, AS36, as a Storekeeper, 3rd Class Petty Officer from July 1971 to July 1972. I worked in Subsat, Submarine Supply and assistance team. Chief Ritchie was my boss and my job was to expedite orders for our buyers who ordered parts from Supply Depots for the subs tied up around us for repairs. I remember working with many of the Supply Officers from the subs who frequented our offices daily to find out where their parts were. There were not only nuclear fast attack subs tied up but also one diesel conventional sub as we called it back in the 70's and also one submarine rescue vessel. The only name of any sub that I can remember is the USS Skipjack. I also remember being rewarded by one of the Supply Officers from one of the subs, I think it was the USS Skipjack. I don't remember the Supply Officers name, but he was a Lieutenant I believe. He took me for a tour of the sub including a walk over the nuclear power chamber itself. I also got to see the sleeping quarters and other areas. I was then treated to lunch of Filet and Lobster and that was the best meal that I can recall in my entire life. I also remember a British Nuclear ICBM Sub that tied up along side for a brief visit and repair. That sub was twice as big as our fast attacks because it had to accommodate the ICBM's she carried. I would like to respond to anybody that was on board during this time but especially anybody from SUBSAT. One last thing. During my stay I did not go home for Christmas and one of my fellow shipmates, a 1st Class Storekeeper who was married at the time invited me over for dinner with him and his wife. I wish I could remember his name so I could thank him for his act of kindness and the wonderful Christmas dinner that he and his wife shared with me.

216 - January 8, 2005 7:00 pm

Name:

Denny Denslow

Tender:

USS Proteus AS-19

Comments:

I was a member of the precommissioning crew in Charleston and served from 1959 to June of 1962. When we arrived in Scotland, we wanted to make our shop a little different. So we carved the words "The House of SINS" in the floor tile. The attached is the best picture I have left of that shop floor..[posted on Proteus' page 2) I wonder if any of the readers of Tender Tales will remember that? Some members of that crew were Chief Sinor, Chief Nichols, ET1 Pillar, ET1 Rushlow ET2 Manning, ET2 Harbaugh...ETSN Dorvitt...and others that I do not remember exact names. I went aboard as ET1, made E7 while there. Our Division officer was LT A.J. Billings (A.J. Squared away). It was a great tour. Thanks Denny Denslow CWO 2 USN (Ret)

217 - January 5, 2005 7:00 pm

Name:

Ed Whitman

Tender:

USS Canopus AS-9

Comments:

I just received a note about my article, "Submarines to Corregidor," in the Summer 2002 issue of UNDERSEA WARFARE Magazine. The note raised some good questions about the whereabouts of the Manila-area submarine tenders in the very first days of World War II, but in reviewing my article and the underlying research notes, I find there's really only one point of disagreement. In my article, I stated that USS Canopus was tied up on the (downtown) Manila waterfront during the first Japanese air attack on 10 December 1941. The note author's recollection is that it was really at the Cavite Navy Yard. I went back over my sources to recall why I chose Manila and rediscovered a curious discrepancy: In its entry for Canopus, The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS) says that the ship was at Cavite. However, both Clay Blair's Silent Victory (pages 134 and 153) and Samuel Eliot Morison's History of U.S. Naval Operations in World II (Vol. III, page 194) make clear that those authors, at least, thought the ship was in Manila. It's possible that both Blair and Morison use "Manila" as shorthand for "Manila Bay" - which would include Cavite - but Blair adds some corroborative detail that seems to show he really did mean downtown Manila. On the other hand, on page 198 of Morison's book, it's stated that Canopus left Cavite for Mariveles around Christmas. I don't know what to make of all this, and we'll probably open the question to our readers to see if they can offer any additional information.