Friday, November 7, 2014

SS 236.

This is coolbert:

Silversides! SS 236!

More images from a field trip.

The USS Silversides museum and submarine exhibit.

Silversides an American submarine from the era of the Second World War [WW2].

On display Muskegon, Michigan, USA. If you are in the vicinity of Muskegon I highly recommend this museum and the tour of the submarine without qualification or reservation.

Silversides a Gato/Balao class submarine. Designated as a fleet submarine. Designed not as a littoral waters defensive warship but as a pelagic [deep water] long-range offensive weapon. Able to carry the war to the enemy homeland, those vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean the theater of operations.

To the images:


Silversides moored in Lake Michigan and immaculately maintained. It appears this boat ready to sail tomorrow. SS 236 about 311 feet long [95 meters].


The business end of the four inch [105 mm] deck gun. That all-time submarine ace the German Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière from the era of the Great War [WW1] having sunk a preponderance of his targets with a deck gun.


Silversides having an outstanding war record. "Meatball' flags represent merchant vessels. "Sun Burst" represent enemy warships. Sixteen mines also laid and two American combat aviators also plucked from the ocean by Silversides.


Inside the control room. Those two large brass wheels I believe represent buoyancy controls.


Another image of the control room. Lots of dials, and a lot of brass. Brass less susceptible to corrosion.


Enlisted berthing. Cramped and confined but not offended as the saying goes. And what is called "hot bunking". One man sleeps while another on duty. NO such thing for the enlisted as a dedicated bunk!


Enlisted toilet facilities. Measures as taken when relieving oneself quite protracted and having to be done in a certain specific manner, a protocol that had to be followed to the letter.


Engine room. Two large diesel engines one on either side of the corridor. Two more same such diesels further aft. Be aware these engines not merely for display. Can be fired up and are run from time to time. SS 236 not merely a museum piece but a functional vessel!!

You cannot say enough good things about the Silversides museum and exhibit. I was duly impressed and you will be too.

coolbert.

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