Daily submarine picture

[redboat219]

Did they photoshop something out in the last photo? Something looks strange in the rear deck.

[greenman407]

Yeah, I only posted two pictures because as I was posting them I was just informed that my Uncle had died so I had to drop everything and head for the hospital.

[Peter W]

I also tend to think the Virginia looks longer because it is skinnier than the Seawolf but I suppose that is a question of perspective. They just look less bulky than the Seawolf.

Peter

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

The spelling. Best way that I tell the difference, if you can see them, is the projection markings. The Seawolf is a lot bigger so the the number under the PROJ bit is usually 36 or 34 whereas the Virginia class has 29 under it.

Peter

Smart ass!

Draft numbers. I didn't think of that. Good call. Yeah, hard to tell between the two classes.

M

[Peter W]

The spelling. Best way that I tell the difference, if you can see them, is the projection markings. The Seawolf is a lot bigger so the the number under the PROJ bit is usually 36 or 34 whereas the Virginia class has 29 under it.

Peter

[redboat219]

Either a Virginia or Seawolf class. Can someone point out the difference.

[greenman407]

[greenman407]

As Good as my Word.

[greenman407]

A few more on the Greyback, then Ive got some really good Virginia and Los Angelos stuff to go up.

[greenman407]

Skate out in the cold.

[Von Hilde]

Chuck Bloomer was aboard the greyback during the accident, I believe. The team guys that died were Qm Dickie Bomd and Ens Will Robbinson. That was in 82. The Greyback was converted to LPSS in 68 just before I got out. I went abaoard in the PI but never did any ops, Just a look around. The starboard side of the hangers is where the new lock out door was installed for the divers and SDV. Portside was a decomp chamber for emergencies. The problem they were having in the early days was the "dry" lock wasnt so dry, and the vent from the forward head, for some reason, went thru the hanger chamberand made it nausiating, to say the least. It wasnt a very comfortable ride. From what I understand, after the incident they ended up letting the Marines Recon and ROK Special Forces utilise the two westpac LP boats. The other one was the Sea Lion. I think the pierside pic with the greenies are Recon "AHURAH- Semper Fi" Too many guys to be Navy operators. IMHO

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

No. As I understand it, Bloomer was ship's company on that boat (but I could be wrong, the assignment of people within 'special projects' was not blabbed around much). Likely, he was a 'support' diver -- one of the guys who worked the hangar and got the combat swimmers and projects guys and their gear in and out.

As to the picture: It was a practice for diver's of the period to ware 'greens'. Lots of green on the pier. I assume a mix of ships company and, 'riders'.

Before all that, when we were on the YOSEMITE, Bloomer and me worked on some modeling projects together (he did the metal turning, I did the woodwork). We were the terrors of the pattern and machine shops on that tender. Though not a diver at that point, Bloomer was attached to the dive-locker where he worked as our boat engineer. God, we were so frig'n young! He came to us after submitting a request to attend dive-school -- he was dumped in our lap to find out how serious he was about it. We kicked him around a bit, and he just kept on asking for more. He was the real deal, as it turned out. A good man.

M

[greenman407]

Speaking of the accident with the Greyback, I wonder how relevant this picture is? Dave, would you recognize the diver at the hatch, or up on dock?

[greenman407]

Blueback, Darter and Greyback. Quite a collection in one spot.

[redboat219]

That would be the USS Grayback. Here's a story of the incident, http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+si...p.-a0126554470