CRAWLING THROUGH TENNESSEE

CRAWLING THROUGH TENNESSEE

By Andy Weddington

Thursday, 08 September 2022

Of all the branches of men in the forces there is none which show more devotion and faces grimmer perils than the submariners. - Winston Churchill

More than five years ago now I had the privilege of befriending a handful of submariners. Each held command, multiple times.

Smart gents. 

To better understand them and profession, I read about submarines. 

During visits to the North Carolina Outer Banks earlier this year I read about the German U Boats operating (sinking ships) along our East Coast during World War II. [As I boy visiting Topsail Island in the mid-60s, I remember the three-story cinder block lookout towers along the beach - we played in them. Thankfully, some have been preserved. I saw 'Das Boot' when released.] 

While in a bookstore on Bay Street in Beaufort, South Carolina, a month or so ago I stumbled on and bought a dusty copy of a Department of the Navy publication - 'United States Submarine Losses World War II.'

Fifty-two boats and 3,505 lives. 

Each story tragic. Bravery and heroism common; as if there was choice.  

Imagining the unimaginable not possible. 

St Marys, Georgia ...

Last week was good reason to visit and quarter a few nights in the small town near the submarine base in Kings Bay. 

A friend, met little more than five years ago, retired Friday morning past after 31 years of service to country. That is, in reality a submariner family retired. 

USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) - a just shy of two football fields long nuclear propelled stealth machine built to prowl the depths keeping peace while postured to wage war with the capability of launching torpedoes and two dozen ballistic missiles - was the platform for the official party; three admirals, including honoree, who happen to be our friends. 

During an introduction at a formal dinner four years ago, I learned the senior of the three has some 11 years under water. [Though the emcee for the evening - successful businessman but not veteran - pointed out that as impressive as the admiral's number he knew fellow businessmen who'd been under water much longer. Yes, of course, the crowd roared!]

Though submerged time of the others unknown to me suspect between them easily 15 years - so more than a quarter century navigating oceans below the waterline for the trio. 

The right word of awe escapes me. 

That's three men. Consider a crew of 155. And the U. S. submarine fleet. That's a lot of man-years under water - safeguarding the American way of life. While most of the citizenry is hardly aware. 

Life at sea - work, eat, sleep.

Imagine business as usual (if such mode) stress. 

Consider inevitable emergencies. 

Training and focus.

My first experience close to a submarine.

Following the ceremony, a tour albeit restricted.

I did not have any preconception what to expect. But that seen is not what I might have expected. 

A junior officer of the boat led our group of five. 

At each stop, young Sailors (most first enlistment) briefed their duties.

Impressive.  

Space?

Tight. 

And tighter.

Though every Sailor commented the smaller fast attack boats were less roomy.

Two thoughts after the tour. First, that is a machine of business. Not wasted space. And in an area where there happened to be a bit of room was tucked physical fitness equipment. Second, how impressive the Sailors we met.  

The next day, now with context, a visit to the submarine museum in St Marys.

Reading about the losses of Thresher and Scorpion put sobering perspective on the dangerous duty under water; serious business.   

Since, digesting the whole experience.

Best analogy I can come with to date - consider being in a hotel elevator repositioned 90 degrees with (at least) one too many guests, and bags, for months playing hide and seek.  

Still cannot imagine. 

So, here's to the Sailors who wear dolphins.

Rear Admiral John Spencer, U. S. Navy (Retired) - Academy Class 1991 and years of the dangerous business under water - Thank you, Family Spencer! 

End note: St Marys old town along the river is quaint and charming. Beautiful! The Spencer House (no relation) Bed & Breakfast is terrific - walk to everything. Plan a visit!