The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between shipmates. There are no items, topics, subtopics, etc.

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Response" button to add your entry to the forum.

The forum is also a good place to post messages to share rides and or rooms for the reunion. This reduces the costs and our desire is it helps more shipmates attend the reunion. So if you would like to share a ride or room expenses just post it here in the forum ad othesrs can answer.

Raymond Pierce (1968)

from Frederick S. Holbein II :

I recently saw a posting;

Action in the Gulf of Sidra (1986) in Wikipedia.

I'm a little miffed here. It lists the USS Detroit (AOE-4) as the replenishment ship that crossed the line of death. I'm pretty sure that it was the Seattle as I was a member of the crew under Capt. Frost. He had an inside track w/the pilots and we had photos and film footage in like 4 hours. Is my memory gone? I thought the Detroit was late getting there as she had another one of her numerous break downs.

Can someone help me?

 

Michael Warren (1981)

You are correct

Tony Fernandez (1975)

You are correct, I was onboard the USS Donald B. Beary (FF-1085) there at that time. 

Earl Boutell (1968)

On some of the other FaceBook USS Seattle sites, I see talk about wanting to get together with shipmates.  The people in California want a get-together in California, the East Coast sailors want it on the East Coast.  Why not use our Veterans Association Reunion in Pensacola, September 3-7, 2014?  It's half-way to both coasts.  There's always a mixture of Plank owners and 'near the end' sailors who attend.

Although the Association was started by Plank owners, we encourage the younger sailors to join in and get active with us.  We have a great SHIP'S STORE, and always arrange memorable yearly reunions.  How many people can say that they have been onboard the USS Cole (and their Hall of Heroes)?  Or, on a Trident Sub Base?  Or gotten onboard an actual Vietnam Riverboat?  These reunions are truely unforgetable!  And, the activities are family oriented, so you can plan your vacation with your family with us!

For Pensacola, home of the Blue Angels, we are working on gaining access to a bank of Navy F-18 flight simulators!!!  Also, getting onboard a floating WWII submarine!  So, start making plans TODAY to join your shipmates in Pensacola for the 6th USS Seattle Veterans Association Reunion, September 3-7, 2014.

Earl Boutell, EN3

A Division, Plank owner

Richard D. Tekulve (1972)

Speaking of USS Detroit breakdowns - when Seattle went into dry dock in 1974, Detroit was on station in the Med (she relieved us) and during a CC drill in the forward fireroom; she had a firebox explosion that crippled a boiler.  I was asked to fly over to the Med and assume duties in one of the firerooms as a BT Petty Officer.

Now I hope that no one will be offended but Detroit's engineering spaces were as fouled up as a football bat and I still remember the night when the after fireroom lost the load on both boilers and the ship went dead in the water - no power and even most of the emergency lighting didn't work.

Now you need steam / electrical power to run pumps and blowers and we had nothing but the one thing we did have was wood from the damage control lockers that is normally used for shoring, etc..

We built wood fires in one of the boilers to raise just enough steam to start pumps and blowers turning and all this took about 14 hours to accomplish. I did my three months in Detroit and couldn't wait to get back where I belonged - in Seattle. The moral of this sea story is that any time you stick your neck out by volunteering; be prepared to get it chopped off.

Richard Tekulve

B Division Snipe 1972-1975

Douglas E. Hollenbeck (1981)

1 March 2014, Shipmate Frankie Wayne Lefler (69-70) was laid to rest in Covington, VA. I am proud to say that I have the honor of officiating over his internment. As it should be one shipmate caring for another.

Doug Hollenbeck, rpcdeh@yahoo.com

Paul D. Carr (1972)

Ray, being a very likeable and dilligent person asked that I update my profile.  This is probably not the form he wanted me to use, but I have not seen this before, and I will be sure to check at least once a month in my learning more about our 800' home away from home.

I need one question answered?  Am I reading today's Navy correctly in that all replinishment ships are not under the United States Navy, or they filitered that obligation to a Corporation?   yea, they can save a few $, on hair cuts, a little bit on laundery, but everything else in my mind is same as our 'constant steaming' 1972-1974.

I would also like to share with you something that has always been with me since my days in the Navy.  In my case, a young boy from Alabama meets and makes a few friends in boot camp, 6-8weeks later these friends are gone.  Christmas of 1972 was onboard the Seattle, once again you begin making even better and longer lasting relationships with shipmates, only to see these friends leave at different 3-6month segments as they return home or continue to grow their barnacles as regular Navy.  Guys, inside it hurt...........  After a while, I asked myself, "is it worth it" to make good friends knowing they and eventually myself were leaving.........  still hurt, still in the back of my mind, and in my heart.  The 'old' gang at home upon return where looked at as preschoolers. 

And yes, the Seattle played a part in the "7 day war".  Computer told me someone had to send the Syrian's water?  Not sure if that was us, but after being called off leave 'word of mouth', ASAP, and waking up, out on the port deck, seeing land, I asked that famous Indian request, "wer did fuk awe we", and the reply was Turkey.  Can anyone confirm this?

The economy is looking better, - RIF, once again.  My prayers for them.

Paul Carr, Somerville, Al

Rich Toma (1971)

Paul,

The Seattle and her immediate sister ships, the Sacramento, Camden and Detroit were Sacramento Class fast combat support ships.  All four were decommissioned in the mid 2000's.  In the mid 90's four Supply Class fast combat support ships, the Supply, Ranier, Arctic and Bridge were built.  All were USS ships and were designated as AOE's and carried a compliment of about 600 military personel about the same as us (Seattle).  In the early 2000's all four were decommissioned and immediately (usually the same day) reassigned to Military Sealift Command (MSC).  They were now USNS ships (still owned by the Navy) and designated as T-AOE's. Their compliment now consists of about 60 military and 180 civilian personel.  All four are still in service today. 

MSC is a Navy organization that oversees replenishment, transport and repair ships and are sailed by a minimal military crew and civilians.  If you happen to see a ship with blue and gold rings on their smoke stack... they are MSC (USNS) ships.

Hope this answers your question about civilians running ships.  Not sure if I want these guys cutting my hair!!!

Rich Toma

440-669-9615

Bill Norris (1968)

Thanks Rich, good update...