USS Barb, interesting story

[PAUL161]

She was the most decorated sub in WWII. Her Captain was even awarded the the Medal of Honor! Quite a story.. Oh yeah, they even blew up a train!

USS Barb (SS-220) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[NutmegCT]

Anyone who serves - or served - on submarines gets my immediate respect!

I visited the Nautilus down at New London a few years ago. Felt claustrophobia about five minutes after entering. And Nautilus is a palace compared to the WW1 and WW2 ships.

 

[John Turney]

If you can find a copy of CAPT Fluckey's book Thunder Below!, it's a thrilling read of the Barb's sixth thru twelfth patrols.

The key to surviving submarine duty under lots of water is don't think about it.

 

[waltesefalcon]

I work with a fella who was a nuclear engineer on a sub. He has the smallest classroom in the building, and it is an interior room, so no windows. Kinda weird guy but really nice.

 

[mikephillips]

And when you visit a preserved WW2 sub today, imagine being in there for up to a couple months at a time with 50-60 other guys crammed in with you.

 

[NutmegCT]

One of the best "sub" movies I've ever seen:

Life on board wasn't always pleasant.

 

[John Turney]

And when you visit a preserved WW2 sub today, imagine being in there for up to a couple months at a time with 50-60 other guys crammed in with you.

And none of you has had a shower since leaving port.

 

[YakkoWarner]

And none of you has had a shower since leaving port.

That would be bad enough, but then add in the fact there was only ONE bathroom and flushing was not exactly quiet, which limited when or if it could be flushed at all...
coupled with the fact that opening the window was not an option.

 

[ckeithjordan]

I spent some time with a friend (since passed) who was a submariner just after the war, on Diesel boats. He talked about going on patrols, where they would fill the passageways with canned fruit and vegetables three flats tall (to where you couldn't stand up straight) and the showers with bags of potatoes and onions. Plus, "everyone" smoked then and no showers for a month or two. He said when they'd open the hatches, the smell would easily knock someone over topside! I developed claustrophobia just listening to his stories!

 

[Bayless]

My son served on a sub for 4 years but they were nuclear by that time and much larger. Still, it was 6 months at a time, must of which was under water.

 

[NutmegCT]

After loading food for a WW2 mission:

 

[JPSmit]

coupled with the fact that opening the window was not an option.

Duh. screen door.