Jerome: I just got a notice from amazon.com that the book was shipped today... Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Jerome: When underway on the USS PIPER (SS-409)and Patsy Mazzuchi was the quartermaster-of-the-watch, he would spread his chart across the chart table in the Control Room. I anyone dared to ask him where we were; he would reply, "here" and spread his open hand at some spot on the chart. He believed that only the wardroom officers need to know where we were....... Mickey Mantle w
Forum: General Discussions

Jerome: You wrote: "........among them several men who served aboard SCORPION". Chief Quartermaster "Patsy" Mazzuchi, as a first class quartermaster, served aboard the USS PIPER (SS-409) with me for over 4 years. I was transferred to a shore billet after being the COB for over 2 years. You wrote: ".......versus as those you claim to have met". I purchased 6
Forum: General Discussions

Hello Volker: Thank you very much. Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Jerome: ".....but quite willing to buy a copy of "HITLER'S LAST SECRET" (by C.C. Case) Never heard of this title until you mentioned it. Do you mean "Germany's Last Mission to Japan" by Joseph Mark Scalia? "Kneejerk attitude" because I called "ALL HANDS DOWN" full of lies? I was a member of USSVI BARB Base in Fort Myers, FL, and we
Forum: General Discussions

Hello Jerome: If this new book is anything like "ALL HANDS DOWN" about the demise of USS SCORPION I'm sorry, it's not for me. The following is a quote from B.C. Rule: "The conjecture advanced by ALL HANDS DOWN, that the Soviets torpedoed the SCORPION is exposed as a fictional invention without substance or credibility." And you know who Rule is....... La
Forum: General Discussions

Hello Bill, et al: It has been reported that 25 Japanese subs were sunk by U.S. subs during WWII. the following list shows only 12: 3 Jan. 1943, USS GRAYBACK (SS-208) sinks I-18 15 Feb. 1944, USS ASPRO (SS-309)sinks I-43 9 Feb. 1945, USS BATFISH (SS-310)sinks I-41 10 Feb. 1945, USS BATFISH (SS-310) sinks RO-112 13 Feb. 1945, USS BATFISH (SS-310) sinks RO-113 14 July 1945, USS BLUE
Forum: General Discussions

cdubbs: I believe the UC-97 was sunk off Highland Park, by gunnery practice for the USS WILMETTE. Last I heard was that A&W divers know its exact location. Has any progress been made to salvage it? Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Hello Walter: SPIKEFISH was alongside PIPER in Gibraltar, can't remember the year, however. I had a sub mate aboard SPIKEFISH at the time, his name was Bob Edberg,and he was a snipe. Did you know him? I was a TM for 24 years, quit as an E-8. Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Forest: Drag out your "Hellions of the Deep" and look at the first two words of the first Chapter and you find out who was mainly responsible for its creation. Laymon is living in FT. Myers, FL and he is 93 years of age. I just contacted him a few weeks ago. Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Hello Walter: You are entirely correct, but those boats don't take care of themselves. It takes a lot of work and the availability of spare parts, and a good crew.I was COB on USS PIPER (SS-409)for a couple years and it was a constant battle against rust and corrosion. Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Hello all: When the Allies captured some battery-powered torpedoes, they immediately had Westinghouse Corporation at Sharon, PA copy one. In about 15 months, a Mark 18 battery-powered torpedo for submarines was born. If you would like to see what was produced, go to: Enjoy, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Hello Volker: Thank you very much for this very interesting information. If you have no objections, I will forward it to all my military friends. Regards, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

lcdrusnret: Hello Commander.... "Fido" was the first successful passive-acoustic weapon. Single screw, battery-powered, with four hydrophones on the warhead. "Cutie" was designed as a submarine weapon, Being only 19" in diameter, it was able to swim out of the tube using its 5 horsepower electric motor to propel it at about 12 knots. After obtaining a Germ
Forum: Technology and Operations

lcdrusnret: Called "Cutie" for subs. 'Twas a 19" battery-powered,"swimout" passive-acoustic weapon usually loaded in the After Torpedo room. It used a simple Mark 142 contact exploder mechanism. The last time it was used in anger was when the USS TORSK (SS-423) launched one at a Japanese patrol boat. The boat lay on the bottom at 400 feet waiting for the exp
Forum: Technology and Operations

Hi Paul: Te Mark 24 when dropped, didn't have far to travel because the launching aircraft most regularly caught the u-boat on the surface or diving. The Mark 24 performed well. Where were all these Type XXIII and Type XXI u-boats? They didn't get very far from home. Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Hello all: I have just acquired a 452-page paperback titled "The Surcouf Conspiracy" by Julius Grigore, Jr., Captain, USN, Retired.(cc2011). When I was living in Port Charlotte, Florida some 5 years ago, I went to visit Grigore at his home in Venice, Florida, which was just 12 miles away. No one was at home and I called later and got no answer. He was probably in Panama. I will
Forum: General Discussions

lcdrusnret: Hello commander: ".....depending on launch platform." The Mark 24 torpedo had only one launch platform, an aircraft. "The torpedo had several names to keep the secret variously "cutie"......." The name "cutie" was assigned to the 19" diameter, Mark 27 passive-acoustic submarine torpedo. Respectfully, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Hello Jemison: Just type in the url he provides; worked for me........ ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Tom: Try Chief John Clear at: sealbtdt@continent.com That's where I got mine years ago. Dd you check out the source I sent you about the SEARAVEN? ROBERT M.
Forum: Movies and Films

Helo Tom: Have you checked out the following? Hope this helps, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

j-rene The "U" stands for "unterseeboot" As far as I know no other nation uses that designation. The U.S.Navy uses SS meaning "ship submersible" Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Hello von Schoenvorts: Have you tried to contact Keith Gill as I suggested in my post of 2/14/12 - 09:34? If you contact him I'm sure he can answer you questions. Regards, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

BH: Have you tried to contact Keith Gill? He was the curator when the U-505 was moved to its present location. According to a previous post concerning U-505 Bond tours,I found his e-mail address: kgill@firstdivisionmuseum.org. He had/has a lot of inf
Forum: General Discussions

Derek: Thanks for the response. I contacted someone in New London, CT about U-858 having a refit in June,1945. That person couldn't help me but referred me to another possible source, their library, that maintains a microfiche history. I will contact them and let you know what I found out. I'm not familiar with obtaining info from NARA. Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Hi guys: When this salvage team brings their "treasure" to the surface, there will be some very red faces on this forum....... Have a smile for me, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Hello Derek: You are absolutely right about "U-585" error. It's not my first typo nor last. I couldn't find out anything about U-858 gong to N'London, CT for refitting. Where did you get that info from? Thanks to your info I found that the USA got ten U-boats after WWII. Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Hello all: I hope there are former crew members whom were aboard when they surrendered in the spring of 1945. If anyone has info about their whereabouts, I would be very appreciative. Thanking you in advance. ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

PatW: "Shadow Divers" by Robert Kurson describes the circular run of its own torpedo as the cause of its demise. (Page 344-345). However Gary Gentile disagrees in "Shadow Divers Exposed" on page 223 - 224. Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: Movies and Films

Richard: The last deck gun installed on WWII submarines was 5'-25 caliber stainless steel type. For more info, go to: I hope this answers you question, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations