LETTERS

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In my last e-mail I mentioned Red Denson, EMC (SS), who was my boss on Quillback. I asked that if anyone knew what happened to him, let me know so I could contact and thank him. It seems that I answered my own request a couple of days ago when I found his obit at another navy site. There is not much to the distcription:

DENSON, Fred (Red) W. EMC(SS) Died 10/23/63 now on Eternal Patrol, Reported aboard Quillback 4/55

God let you rest your oars, Red. I appreciated what you did for me in my youth.
Jim Curran

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Gil,
I reported aboard Quillback as an EM3 in July, 1955 and qualified in September 1955. Left the boat in October 1957 as an EM1 (SS) and transferred to Threadfin SS410 prior to discharge. Before Quillback, I was stationed on the USS Sanborn APA193. There are some memories from the Quillback days, but they are getting hazy.
However, I remember Darlene very well. She would sleep in my bunk (as a 1st class I had my very own bunk!) that was rigged in the opening for the after torpedo room loading hatch when we were at sea. It was about 7ft above the deck, and I was always interested in just how she got up there. (She would jump from the lower bunks to the upper until she could jump up to my penthouse suite.) The noise of the water rushing over the hatch seemed to calm her.
I agree will Bill Doerrer (who I do remember very well). She would get very nervous during snorkeling and cower in the maneuverin g room with me (or whoever had the watch). I think it was a little bit quieter there. All in all, she was a very nice dog, smart as hell and very loyal to the entire crew.

My memory tells me that she was left behind with a crew member (I don't remember who, but I think a torpedoman) when we left Key West for a North Atlantic NATO exercise. I also don't remember which one. When we got back to Key West, we were told that she had died from distemper. In looking into that dark hole of my memory, I remember that she was not healthy during the last couple of weeks before we left Key West.

There are some other Quillback sailors that should be mentioned on your site.
Bob Jones was our corpsman when I went aboard but was replaced after the ?North Atlantic NATO cruise? that nearly sunk us.
Bill Charette, HM1, came aboard and every Quillback sailor should know that Bill is the recipient of the Medal of Honor for his valor as a Marine Corpsman in Korea. Bill and I became friends while aboard Quillback and after 40 years or so he and I have renewed contact. He lives in Lake Wales, Florida with his wife Louise (a beautiful and tolerant woman). Bill retired from the Navy as a Master Chief and qualified on Nuclear Boats.

Our engineering officer during the period I was aboard was Red Stein. Red was the man that changed me from a boy to a man. He went on to command in submarines and surface ships and a spin at the Pentagon, finely retiring to run the family business in Pittsburgh when his father died. He now lives in Eastern Pennsylvania with his wife Lonnie.

Red Denson, EMC, was my boss while on Quillback and a man who helped Red Stein move me to maturity. I don't know what happened to him, but if anyone knows please e-mail me so I can thank him.

And, Bill Doerrer. He had the unfortunate milady of getting seasick almost as soon as we pulled the lines from the pier. I thought he would retire to Kansas rather than Northwest Florida.

Phil Johnson, EM3 when I left, was a great electrician and had the misfortune to hang around with Jesse Davis and ? Magee. Phil (now known as ?Speedy?, -an adjective that I don't remember fitting him-) now has a successful business running airboats in Everglades City, Florida, and a beautiful wife.

Jim Curran
curranjf@comcast.net

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DEAR SIR ;
FOUND YOUR WEB SITE
WONDER IF YOU KNEW MY DAD DON PAGE ABOARD SUBMARINE IN WWII

REGARDS DON PAGE
PURCHASING
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Hello, my name is Annette Haven.
My late husband Charles B. Haven served aboard the Quillback from February 10, 1956 ---- June 09,1959. He was transferred to the Mackerel SS T - 1. His next Boat was the Marlin, next the Grenadier SS, 525. The last before going to shore duty was the Sea Cat SS 399. During the time he was attached to the Sea Cat he was running the school for the Boats in the squadron that was Commodore McGuiness's pet project. Anyway he was in Key West for about 13 years altogether. Just wondering if you might have known him. He was a Chief Engineman. He retired in February of 1968 and died July 13, 1995. Cause of death was lung cancer and asbestosis. Would enjoy hearing from you especially if you knew him.
Annette
Brightfeather65@aol.com

I recently heard from Jim Hyder via email. Has anyone ever mentioned the dog we had onboard ? Her name was "Darlene" and she was acquired during an overhaul at Charleston in 1955. I have a slide of her standing topside. She never did like to Snorkel
Hi, No this is the first I've heard. It's a great story. If you want I will post it on the site with a picture of her. Just let me know and send a picture. Gil

I will locate the slide and have picture printed. I do not remember how long she was aboard but I do remember she went to Gitmo with us. We had small arm training and she went along. When we got there there were several goats wandering around, well before we even thought about id Darlene had rounded them . up and had them back to their shelter. We all stood there amazed because up to that point she was just the crew's pet. Is there a address I can mail it to. Not sure I'm swift enough to do it on the computer. Thanks for your answer. Bill

The one picture I have was taken in Mobile ,AL in 1656. She went ashore with two enginemen. John Graham and Jack Scarry who took her to somewhere that had a roller coaster and they would not them take Darlene on so they bought her a ticket. So she got her ride. I wish I could recall what happened when the captain said she had to go since she came in season and when we would return to Key West she would have suitors waiting. Maybe someone once they see her can fill in more detail. Bill

Willie, I reported aboard Jan 1956 on Saturday.Went over in town on sunday and to my surprise a dog followed me to the ship.I wondered why and the topside watch (Spratt) told me she was the ships mascot and probably smelled the boat on me. I was a seaman deuce when i came aboard, undesignated. Took me forever to qualify( I was only 16) , lost an id card or liberty card every week it seemed. After2 years Red Denson convinced me to strike for EM and made me a fireman. Went to nuke school in 59. Commissioned 2 Nukes; Scoog,our old xo was CO on the Madison and a great one at that. I left Quillback as an EM3 in DEC 58. RET in 77, survived 9 heart attacks and a coronary arrest and 3 open heart surgeries,am now running on an ICD which paces my atrium and ventricles. Still play golf 3-4 days a week and everything is good.

----- Original Message ----- From: Wdoerrer@aol.com To: jimhyder@charter.net Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 10:57 AM Subject: dog
Jim, were you onboard while our dog,Darlene, was aboard ? I have told the web site guy about her and as soon as he gets her picture he is gonna post it. The slide I have was taken in Mobile,AL in early 1956. Your shipmate, Bill

NOTE; SEE PHOTO SECTION FOR PICTURE OF 'DARLENE"

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To Designer of Quillback Website. Really impressed with the details & history of Quillback. Excellent work. I became interested in submarines in 1939 when "Squallus" sank of Portsmouth, N. H. And followed the rescue operations and lengthy salvage operations. So, at age 17, just completing Navy Boot camp, I volunterred for sub duty. Ended up in 1947 in New London and assigned to Quillback. The Captain was Lt. Cmdr. Nicholson. I have a distant picture of Quillback as a Fleet Type boat and 6 of the crew having a few drinks in Havana, Cuba. Please advise if you can use this information or about our duty at that time. I am headed for my 79th birthday and each year we have fewer WW2 Veterans. Thanks for your work in keeping the Quillback alive in this manner. Sincerly
Lender J. Estey MOMM3

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I just thought I would email you and tell you how thrilled I was to find your site with information about the USS Quillback. I was Twelve years old and I waited in line for Four hours to get aboard the USS Quillback. It was in Sheboygan, Wisconsin where the sub was docked. I am not sure of the reason why they had docked there and have no one to ask as the people who took me there are no longer alive. I certainly remember this day as though it were yesterday. It was a major thrill for me to have been able to walk through this submarine. To see how tight the quarters were for these men. I read in your site that one of the sailors had said that the sub was in the great lakes and that he was on the sub from 1957 to 1960. So I may be off a year when the sub was in Sheboygan maybe you have this knowledge. I would certainly like to know. I also would like to know where the USS Quillback is now. I hope that you get this email and Thank you. Sincerely
Joel Zautner

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Great website. In 1961 I was 11/12 years old. My grandfather and grandmother lived in Key West. My grandfather sold cars at Duncan Motors (which still exists) and knew everybody in Key West especially a lot of Navy. Through his contacts I was supposed to get a tour of the Quillback. However the Cuban Crisis happened and I never got the tour. I did however get a USS Quillback shoulder tab which I've had all these years. It was great to read the history of this little bit of cloth and read about what I missed. If this patch would have significance for you I would gladly turn it over to you. Thanks
Barry Deere

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Sir, I came upon your website while researching some old photos of USS Saipan CVL48. I have been putting together a CD of Saipan photos and came across this one when we were tied up in Algiers, Algeria in 1951. We tied up stern to. That is called a "Mediterranean Moor". They put lighters alongside Saipan and Quillback tied up on the other side of the lighters. Here is the photo in an attachment.
Tom Pendergast Vice President USS Saipan CVL48 Association
Our website is www.saipan48.org
You will find the photo of Quillback in our Mediterranean Cruise 1951 photo file

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Melvin Tobert Smith ST1(SS)- U.S. Quillback SS-424 aboard 1945-1949 Thank you Mel SUBMARINE STORIES OF WORLD WAR II by Mary Nida Smith Summer 06 Red Engine Press

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I'm Ray Holloway. I was aboard GRENADIER SS525 in Key West and all three T-Boats. I was never attached to QUILLBACK but I've been aboard her more than once. And...I still get emails regularly from one of the former 424 skippers...Capt DeCook. DeCook and I served together aboard GRENADIER when he was XO. He went to QUILLBACK about the time I transferred to London, England (CINCUSNAVEUR) and his last assignment before retirement was as Navy Rep Norway. I keep contact with several of our old Key West shipmates..Jack Alexandera former XO BARRACUDA and CO MACKEREL, Jess Lee former PNCM(SS) SEA CAT and BARRACUDA. Paul Banks former COB and retired CDR from BARRACUDA, MARLIN & MACKEREL as well as USS CORPORAL. And Alan Shapiro, retired LCDR and CO of TURTLE and formerly a TM1(SS) aboard GRENADIER and MARLIN. And finally...a retired Chief Radioman, Gene Hunsucker who was aboard SEA CAT and another boat (can't remember which) during the Bay of Pigs. He was aboard nuclear submarines later on. Enjoyed your page immensely....and hey...didn't 424 get the forward room flooded in that run to Gitmo somewhere around 64/5??

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Hello, Gil, I am trying to find out the name of the Submarine that operated with the USS Mills DER-383 out of Key West in 1965 when we were the Sonar School training ship...I along with others of the USS Mills crew are working on a ships history, unfortunately due to advancing age and fading memory, not a one of us can remember. I have perused you excellent website, however did not find a specific mention of that duty...I hope that you can verify this vessel was in fact the one we operated with, or at least can provide that information. Smooth Sailing,
Roger Dereske, Former DC-3 USS Mills DER 383 (64-66)

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My dad Joseph Knapik served on the Quillback during WW11 I have some of the photos you have on your site crew, pilot rescue. He passed away in 1980 as far as I know only 4or 6 are still alive today.I'am in touch with one of them. My dad was proud of what he did I wish he could be here to see the web sight. Rich Knapik

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I served aboard the Quillback from 1966 through 1967 and have many great memories of qualifying, time at sea, special deployments, etc. May I suggest you add to your website a way for persons who were crew members over the years to add their information -- see USS Simon Bolivar for an example. Great site -- loved the pictures.
John & Lynn Ingwersen 923 County Road 442 Killen, AL 35645

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Hi, I just came across your web site on the Quillback. It brought back some old memories. The reason I found it, I had received a card asking if I was a member of the crew and that they were getting a reunion together for 2006. I still don't know how they got my name after all these years. I served aboard from 57 to 60. I was discharged just as they were leaving for the overhaul in 60. I looked at the one photograph that said it was taken in 1960. I recognized three or four of them, it must of been taken in late 60, or I'm just getting too old to remember. After receiving the card I went to Google and typed in USS Quillback and one of the sites I checked was yours. I hadn't thought about doing that before. One item that wasn't in the history was the trip we took up through the Great Lakes when they opened the St. Lawrence Seaway. We were one of three subs. that took part. Just wanted to say hello. I was curious when the boat was taken out of service. Enjoyed reading the history.
Dave Reeve MM2 (SS) 57-60 pdmo@worldnet.att.net

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I have been researching my father's Navy history. WWII and later. He was a submariner most of his Navy career. He is buried in Stonington, Connecticut. He served during the war and retired in 1957 with 24yrs. I know very little about his Navy career except for the years we lived in Maine while he was stationed at Kittery Naval Base. We also spent some years at the base in Groton, Conn. If you can help me with my research I would be very appreciative.
Thanks Glenn Durham, FourPT99@aol.com

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Sir
browsing the web-site-and saw my father's picture he is in the 1960 crew photo far left bottom-V.H. Rohrbacher-one of the officers-I have the same picture at home but couldn't identify the submarine. He would have been thrilled-but 2 weeks ago-he died-at 87. I am his only daughter Lu Alderette-and know his career by heart. Love the web-site at it made special today- his ashes are being returned by the crew of the USS Bowfin at Pearl Harbor at their reunion- If you knew him -please let me know thank you .

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Hi, Thanks for the Quillback site. I don't know if you are collecting a crew list or not but I served in the 63/64 timeframe. Taken from your history (this was 63/64): " deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. QUILLBACK rendered services to the Fleet Training Group for one month and made visits to Kingston and Port Antonio, Jamaica. QUILLBACK returned to Key West on 12 April 1963". I served on Quillback following ET, Submarine, and Submarine Electronics schools. I left Quillback prior to the Med. trip and went to Ships Inertial Navigation Systems (SINS) school. After SINS school I served on the Halibut 587.
Thanks for the good work, Jim(James Boyd)

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Hello, I served on the Quillback as a TM from early '68 to mid '70 when I transferred to the Grenadier. I'd be happy to hear from my old shipmates as I've sure thought of them often. I can't place Skip Montello right off but it's been 34 yrs too. Best of luck and may God grant us one surface for every dive.
Mike Todd former TM3 (SS)

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Dear Mr. Oxley, My mother, Van Noble, was a Key West artist who painted many Submarine paintings, three of which hung in Captain Beach's office in the White House. I am having litographs made of these two for an opening at the Hemingway House in Key West, July 22, 2004. They will also be available online after that date. I will provide you with the website in the future. You may paste them on your web site if you would like.
Yours very truly, Art Noble

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Hey I am taylor ward grand son of Louis Larrick Ward (one of names on commissoning plate if you knew him cool but if ur a son of some one cool well yeah we still have the quillback seal its in my brothers room it one of the coolest things ever if u want a pic for your site i will send u one.

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Greetings... just want to drop you a quick note. I, too, was in KW when you were stationed there. I was on the USS Gilmore (AS-16) until she left for the yard period in the summer of '72. When she left (never did seem right calling a "Howard" a she), is was detached to SUBRON-12 until I was discharged in Jan-73. I remember the Quillback and 2 of the FT's aboard - Barnes and Stabell. I rode the Quillback once or twice doing tube certifications. I even tried to get transferred to the boat but that never came to pass. What lead me to your site started this morning. Today, I had the opportunity to visit the USS Torsk SS-423 in Baltimore. Seeings as how the internet makes things possible, and that I could remember the Quillback's hull number was 424, I started doing some searches. It's funny - out of all the boats in SUBRON-12, I couldn't remember which hull numbers matched the boat name - except the Quillback - but as soon as I walked onto the Torsk, I could vividly recall the "smell". After 31 years, the smell is exactly the same. Talk about being authentic!!!! As I said above, I left the USN in Jan-73 but re-enlisted in June. Got sent to a PG - amazing - an FTG2 with an 1178/1179 NEC gets put onto a Gunboat. If you think diesel boat living conditions are "tight", ya oughta try going to sea on a PG. When you get a chance, checkout www.gunboatriders.com - there's lots of interesting facts about these type of ships. Before I go, I really hope you can answer a question about the Quillback that has been bugging me for 30+years. You guys left on a 6 month cruise, I think to the North Atlantic. Wherever doesn't matter, but the boat came back with a big hole in the superstructure on the starboard, just about where the FTR and the wardroom meet. Stabell wouldn't tell me what happened and I've tried to figure out what could have caused it. There didn't appear to any hull damage, but I don't see how weather/waves could have caused that big of a hole that low to the waterline - especially since the superstructure is smooth with no projections. On the PG, I went thru some really heavy weather and we never lost anything that low to the water expect things that projected off the boat and into the wind and wave - such as a Boston Whaler that got swept overboard during a storm. No big deal -- it was only the 1 lifeboat that we carried anyway! Going to send this now. Thanks for the website. Today has been really out of the ordinary and your website has added more to the memories. Thanks
Jim Thomas webmaster, www.gunboatriders.com

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Hi Gil, Gary Robinson and I reported to the QB about the same time and hung with the same group of guys for 3 years, I was given the honor to present Robbie a genuine "PLK" pocket watch at quarters the day he left for the Ronquil. We lost touch after he left, but I never forgot those guys, Key West and the fun we had. TD.

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Gil, I was on the Bergall SSN 667 website and I found references to other boats. I am a plank owner on the 667 took her on her sea trials and first dive all the way to commissioning before getting into hot water with the XO. I lost that battle and was suppose to be thrown out of subs totally. Not even submarine support facilities. Yes, I really pisssed him off. As luck would have it they transferred me to the Bushnell out of Key West. I had a LCDR for weapons officer who was on submarines but got into a car accident and had temporary duty on the Bushnell. He was not to happy with me getting thrown out of subs until he heard my side of the story. To try to make a long story short, he checked out my side and decided that if I wanted back on subs he would help. I was what was called "A DIRECT INPUT" onto the Quillback. She was leaving for the med and had also lost three shipmates due to a car accident. The day after I got on board we headed for the med. I also qualified on that trip and never looked back. I got out in October 1971. I also got to see the old XO when I was back in New London for leave. That was interesting to see his face to see my Dolphins and all of my stripes back. This probably makes us some of the youngest diesel boat sailors still above water. When were you on her?
Rob Roy TM2 SS

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Mr. Oxley, My dad served on the Quillback when he was 17 years old, at the tail end of WW II. His name was John R. Howerton. I remember him telling me stories about how they would submerge the ship and many other stories that I was too young to appreciate!! I was excited to see a website dedicated to the "SS 424"....... Dad passed away in 1986, however, I became a member of the Sons of the American legion. Mom and dad had 5 of us. All of us are very proud that dad served his country before he even turned 18. At any rate, I'm hoping that this letter finds you well and I am looking foreword to checking out your website from time to time. God Bless. Rob Howerton

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I graduated from Sub School April 10, 1963 the day the USS Thresher sank. I reported aboard the USS Quillback a few days later.In May we went to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for an overhaul. I got a swap to the USS Ronquil (SS396) in 1966. I left the Quillback as an EN 2 (SS). One of the interesting things I saw was the nameplate on the hull ventilation motor in the Forward Engineroom was for the USS Trembler SS (424) I have read may items about the Quillback but no one has mentioned that fact.

Is there a list of other crew members from the 60s? Sincerely,
Gary E. Robinson, ENC (SS) retired
robbieflash@att.net

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Just wanted to compliment you on your web site. My dad was Jack Gladin and like you, while I was only in 3rd grade, I have fond memories of Key West, etc. I have 3 little boys (my oldest being 'Jack') so I try to show them as much info that relates to Pop Pop, since he died before they were born. If I can locate any other pictures, I will scan and send to you. Thanks again for keeping the memory of the ship alive. Fondly, Wendy Gladin Gagnon

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Gil.... Hello....My name is Craig Tompkins and I served on QUILLBACK for most of 1968. I also earned my dolphins on QUILLBACK. I have attached a 1968 crew photo that was taken at Guantanamo on one of our two trips there that year. I'm in the 3rd row back, 6th from the left. Anyway, I was glad to see that QUILLBACK is remembered. Your web site efforts are appreciated. Thanks. ...Craig

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Greetings Gil, I have been thinking about my days aboard the Quillback and did Goggle search today and found your site. I served her as a TM2 from Dec 67 until Oct 68. It was most interesting re-reading her history and viewing the photo�s. I have two photo�s of her at home, one at sea displaying the E and the other is a crew photo from April 68 at Gitmo. If you have any interest in them please reply back. Thanks for the Site! Ed Skip Montello

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Gil, I was on the Quillback in '62 in Key West- John Mills MM2(SS), A-Gang. I heard that there was going to be a reunion this year in Charleston, SC. Do you know about it, or have URL where I could find out more. John

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Gil, You probably wouldn't remember me, but I'm the guy right in front of you in the '73 picture. I was only on the boat for a year before we decommissioned it in Key West. From there, I went to Groton aboard the USS Robert E. Lee(ssbn 601). I still live in Florida (St. Petersburg), working for Progress Energy for the past 26 years. We recently moved, and I had the opportunity to go through my old Navy stuff. I found the ship's clock, 3 torpedo tube number plates, and one of the warning/info plates from the forward rescue buoy. I also have a picture taken through the periscope, a watercolor picture of the Quillback patch, several arm patches, a belt buckle - I even still have the Decommissioning program and Sargasso Sea certificate.The web site's cool, Gil. I'll probably bounce around it some more and share it with my kids. I just spoke with my married daughter on the phone, and realized I was younger than her in the crew picture - I was only twenty, she's 27. Man, does time ever tick away. Take care, Gil and God bless. Paul D. Smith Progress Energy Florida Energy Control Center System Planning & Operations

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Good Afternoon I live in Sarasota, Florida and have been a friend of a former crew member for several years. His name is Bill Brown. Bill is about 83 years old, in prettty good shape for that. I don't recall the years he mentioned, sometime in WW2, and I think he would have been an Exec. Officer. I would like to find someone who might have a crew list or something similar. Can you provide any insight as to how I might go about it. He states that Jimmy Carter was a junior officer on the crew at this time, and that they were friends. Thank you very much, have a good day !!! Ray C. Haney

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Gil, I don't know if you remember me but I was on the Quillback from 68 - 71. It,s been 30 odd years but I think I remember a young squid coming aboard just about the time i was leaving. Thanks for all your work on this website and for bringing back fond memories of a great time in my life. Hope to hear from you and the other guys. I have attached a picture of me and my wife. Don;t look much like I did back then. My home email is jamunsey@insightBB.com. Dick Munsey, EM2SS

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I was on the Quillback from Jan. 62 to June 62, right out of sub school. Ed Simpson and I were ordered to the USS Thomas A. Edison SSBN 610 June 62. I left the navy 9/10/63 as EN3/DV.
Has any crew members from 1962 signed in? Were can I find a crew list? Mike Heiny FN 303 828 2818

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Gil, I served aboard Q`back from 10/65-9/67. I could have extended 45 days for the `67 Med run but decided to get out instead. I hated missing a Med run but as it turned out they were out 89 or 90 days and in port 2 or 3 days The yard period in `66 was almost the demise of our "beloved" ship. When we did sea trials we almost lost her. It`s a long story but we went way past test before we could stop our descent. I was on the bow plains and we went so fast that I didn`t have time to shut off the shallow well gage before it busted. Since you may know the story I won`t bore you with the details. If you don`t know the story let me know. Tony White TMSN/SS

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`66 sea trials
Gil, As you know, when you go in for a refit, everything is weighed when it comes off the boat and then re-weighed when it goes back on. With "weight" being the prominent issue in the principles of submarine operation, there in lies the reason of this story. When we went to sea the sub was rigged for dive, of course not realizing that we were tens of thousands of pounds light (this was actually "tons" but I don`t know how many). When we tried to dive, the vents on starboard main ballast tanks wouldn`t open and since we were light, we just hung there on the surface, with a 20-30' port list. I was on the bow planes; I don`t know exactly how much list but I do recall that my feet were on the bulk head, under the deep well gage. All vents were cycled and recycled to no avail. Port vents were closed and main ballast "blown" from port tanks. MM`s went top side and fixed what ever it was wrong with main ballast vents. So, here we go again. DIVE, DIVE. Nothing happens. We just sit there. We may have reached 40'. I could drag this out but what happened was , we kept adding weight, i.e. flood more tanks, adding speed, 1/3, 1/2, full, and so on. It seems to me it became a real challenge for the top brass to say, 'Oh yes you will submerge, or else". You need to remember all this weight and speed and the determination of all in charge, not just ship board, the yard bird brass was giving this a lot of thought, too. It was finally determined that we were light, so into the yard we go to make up for the weight deficit. When we got back to sea everyone was ready to get sea trials over with and get back to Key West for Christmas. Not me, of course, I`m from Raleigh, NC. I was happy to be in Charleston. Any way, we went back to sea with all hands ready for our first dive. We had everything ready from the last time, right? Everything is just like before, weight, speed; we WILL not be denied this time. DIVE,DIVE. I sat, with "full dive" on the bow planes, watching the "shallow well" dial move like the second hand on a clock. The Old Man (Hayes, I think) came in from his state room and ordered all back full with both screws. To say the least, the sub "shook". I saw the "deep well" go below test depth, who knows where the forward torpedo room was. Remember the full dive I had on? I was ordered full rise. Well, that`s normal isn`t it? I mean after all, you do want to go up, don`t you? We started back toward the surface but we kept getting a exaggerated bow angle. When you put a submarine in reverse the "planes" work backwards. Soon the "powers that be" realized the bow planes needed to be on "dive" if you are backing up. Soon we were back on even keel. You would have to have been there to really understand the elation that went through the control room. It was like waking up from a bad dream. It is very exhilarating to learn that your life isn`t really in peril, after all. Did someone say, "All stop, both screws?" Oh no! Here we go again, in the other direction. Now what is the order? Full "rise" or "dive"? What about the stern planes? Where did you say the aft torpedo room is? I can`t tell the story well enough for print. I`m sure there are others that were aboard that are much better story tellers than me. I`m not even sure if the whole world should know of such an embarrassing turn of events. It`s a nice story for someone like you who is part of "ships company". I don`t like it when the "brass" throws off on the enlisted guys and I`d like to think I`m telling this in all respect for the Officers in charge. There are a lot of technical things that I just don`t recall. I can only give you a "feel" for what happened, that`s all. Tony

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I was stationed on the Quillback in 1962 to 1963, earned my Dolphins, particapated in the Cuban Quarantine and had the pleasure of riding her to Tampa, FL for the Guest Boat duty at the Gasperille Festival. Talk about Co-Ed heaven. Departed Quillback shortly after the visits to Kingston and Port Antonio, Jamaica. On my way to Nuclear Power Training. Robert D. Chenowith MM Elkhart, In USSVI Life Member

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Quite a while ago I sent some crew pictures for 1960. Did not hear back or see them on the site. Did you receive them ? Do you want me to send them again. One was of the crew and one of the officers. Thanks Ed Mayhew On board in 1960

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Harry L. Newton RM2(SS)
Gil, Great site! I qualified on the QB in 63/64 and remember the Tampa Gasperilla trip as well as the Jamaica visits. After 40 years I just connected with Jack Thomas RM(SS) and Rudy Szabo RM(SS) by internet and we ended up meeting each other over at Jack's home near Panama City Fl a week ago. This was the first time we had seen or talked to each other in 40 years ! What a wonderful reunion of my old friends and radio gang. We set around and joked and talked just like 40 years ago ! Keep in mind the last time we saw each other I was 20 (now 60) Rudy was 21 (61 now) and Jack was 25 (65 and retired Chief now) We were all part of a "band of brothers" called the Silent Service that endures throughout many decades. I also served on the Chopper and Tirante between '61 to '64, participated in Cuban Crisis, meet President Kennedy when he came aboard Chopper, had many trips to Cuba and a Med cruise....memories to last a lifetime ! I remember Chief Wise, Ruschell, Abrams (XO), Martin (RM), Mike (QM) Kershner (LT.) a great officer, just to name a few. Would enjoy hearing from old shipmates. hnew@gvtc.com Newton, Harry Lee Please publish on your site under the "letters" section...thanks and well done!

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Dave Reeve MM2 (SS) 57-60
I just came across your web site on the Quillback. It brought back some old memories. The reason I found it, I had received a card asking if I was a member of the crew and that they were getting a reunion together for 2006. I still don't know how they got my name after all these years.
I served aboard from 57 to 60. I was discharged just as they were leaving for the overhaul in 60. I looked at the one photograph that said it was taken in 1960. I recognized three or four of them, it must of been taken in late 60, or I'm just getting too old to remember.
After receiving the card I went to Google and typed in USS Quillback and one of the sites I checked was yours. I hadn't thought about doing that before.
One item that wasn't in the history was the trip we took up through the Great Lakes when they opened the St. Lawrence Seaway. We were one of three subs. that took part.
Just wanted to say hello. I was curious when the boat was taken out of service. Enjoyed reading the history.