USS Drum (SS-228) (Page 5): I have always been fascinated with WWII subs. The Gato and Baleo class are my two favorite. Great photos and content. Thanks.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

I have always been fascinated with WWII subs. The Gato and Baleo class are my two favorite. Great photos and content. Thanks.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

EdR wrote:

Thank you for the tour. My Father-In-Law was a WW II sub vet, and spent 20 years in the Navy in subs, never nuke. This gives me an idea of what he saw.
I also have toured the U505. I saw them bring it from the lake to the Museum.
Once again Thank You👍

Thank you Ed! My grandfather was a 20-year WWII vet. He joined the Navy straight out of HS. He said once they were the only outfit hiring in the Great Depression. Glad you enjoyed.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

photophile wrote:

Well done series. Cleveland has the USS Cod submarine (WW2) as a museum.

Thank you Karin! I've been on the Cod now a few times. On one level, the subs are exactly the same. But, each boat is in a slightly different operational status, where different sections have subtle differences within the boats. Glad you enjoyed.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

PAR4DCR wrote:

Your usual great work Paul. I have been on the Drum several times. Did you also visit the USS Alabama located in the same park? When sons were very young, for scouts or some such organization, a group of kids and parents spent the night on the battleship. Back then several sections were still operational. They may still be but like I said it was many years ago.

Don

Thank you Don! Yes, I spent most of the day at the park on the Alabama, that is amazing. The Alabama is very well done with seemingly every single room in the boat having at least a brief explanation of what occurred in that room and why. The bunk room for the boy scouts would certainly add to the experience. Glad you enjoyed.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

aardq wrote:

Also the USS Silversides, in Muskegon, MI. After the war, the US offered a "surplus" sub to each of the 48 states and 4 territories, in memory of the 52 boats that were sunk. The catch was that the boats had to be maintained. St Pete, FL, had a Russian sub a few years back, but I don't know if they still have it. A 1960s sub, it is primitive compared to our WW-2 boats.

Thank you aardq! I didn't realize the number of subs (and battleships) that exist as museums. Both the Cod and Drum emphasize their volunteer organizations keeping the boats in shape. I didn't make the connection they were needed to get hold of a boat that otherwise could be cut up as scrap. Glad you enjoyed.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you EdR, Karin, woodweasel, Don, Bluefish, Michael, Dennis, aardq, williejoha, flathead27ford! Love the discussion and sharing of stories, family histories this boat has raised. I'm of the age for the Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea that are part of my youngest memories through afternoon reruns. I remember throwing ourselves around the room along with the sailors when disaster struck. These memories come back when touring the real thing. Thank you for your kind comments and memories.

Rob48 Loc: Portland, ME

Don, the 2nd son wrote:

I couldn't say it better (than Rob48). Mobile Bay is on my bucket list for sure, hope I can take my grandson along.

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

This topic has been a wonderful cathartic experience for so many off us that were sworn to secrecy for so many years by the Navy. Only after reading the book titled "Blind Man's Bluff" recently have I started telling a very little bit of what my training was and what I was involved in during my time in the military. That book very accurately describes the workings of the sub spy program as it was many years ago (60 for me).

1963mca

Bit of trivia, the near-sister boat USS Balao was the sub used in the 1959 movie Operation Petticoat, with Cary Grant. The owner of my beer distributor store in town (I buy mine in half kegs for my cellar bar) served on the Balao thruout the war. He loved watching that movie. He passed away a few years ago at 98. Heard lot's of stories as we sat around his store "sampling" his stock.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Great images. I have been aboard nuclear attack and missile subs but the old diesel boat sure is something to see and marvel at. When I was a kid there were lots of black and white war movies on TV in those days and I liked the submarine ones best. The Drum is the exact class that was portrayed, I believe!

fantom Loc: Colorado

Great pix and appreciate the explanation. I really enjoy the close up detail shots. Unusual but very informative.

I remember touring the U505, in Chicago, as a high school kid in Chicago many decades ago. After half an hour in it I was certain about which branch of the military I would never serve in.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

tommy2 wrote:

This topic has been a wonderful cathartic experience for so many off us that were sworn to secrecy for so many years by the Navy. Only after reading the book titled "Blind Man's Bluff" recently have I started telling a very little bit of what my training was and what I was involved in during my time in the military. That book very accurately describes the workings of the sub spy program as it was many years ago (60 for me).

Thanks again Tommy! Maybe it's time now to work on your Memoir?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Rob, Tommy, 1963mca, cambriaman, fantom! From this discussion and comments on the [i]Alabama]/i], I now have new subs and battleships on my list to visit. Thanks all.

DickC Loc: NE Washington state

Great series and info, thanks for sharing these great photos!!