Jack Hunter (Lt)

-It was my first underway on Spinax and I was on the bridge observing Ens. John Field bring the boat alongside the tender (Nereus, I believe). There was a strong current running along with a gusty wind and it didn't look like the approach was going too well. My suspicions were confirmed when I heard the words "Clear the forecastle" sung out by Captain Schloesser just before our bow tried to enter the tender's laundry room! Fortunately, no one was hurt, but there was a lot of wounded pride. The tender was not damaged but Spinax had a decidedly bent bow. The tender shipfitters later removed our bow and replaced it with one from the recently decommissioned Sea Devil. Some wags began referring to us as the "Spin Devil".

-The first time I checked the ventilation line up for a battery charge. Why would anyone in their right mind become an electrician and have to crawl around on top of those batteries getting your clothes eaten away by battery acid?

-Engineman Bubba Smith leading the way on trim parties 'helping out' all us new diving officers.

-Drawing large electrical arcs and fireballs in the cubicle while trying to get a propulsion signature on my qual card.

-The birth of "J.K and the Vikings". And the Captain's willingness to wear the Viking helmet.

-Captain Davis using the phrase "It Only Costs A Few Cents More To Go First Class" when referring to the Spinax.

-Trying to keep on schedule with qualification while the boat was in overhaul at\ SFNSY. The challenge of tracing systems when the battery compartment decks were missing and many of the valves were removed.

-My wife trying to hang curtains over the curved windows of the half quonset hut we were living in at the shipyard.

-Pedaling the XO's VW backwards out of a parking space at the quonset hut because I couldn't find reverse on the damn Bug!

-Captain Davis lead a clamming expedition after we finished our post overhaul fire control tests in Keyport, WA. The sacks of clams were stowed in the topside line lockers under the walking deck. Our surface transit from Keyport to San Diego being interrupted once a day with a dive to periscope depth - to keep the clams wet!

-My diving for a twinkling star when running night time air exercises versus P3s. (I still can see the blinking red and green lights on that star!)

-Backing down submerged then quickly going ahead to out fox the surface guys as they tried to get a handle on what we were doing during 'mechanical rabbit' ops.

-"Qualifying" for a set of snorkel wings after flaming out by pulling 6 inches of vacuum in the boat. (I still have those hand made wings - fashioned by then EM-3 Wilson, I believe.)

-The torpedo tube launch of just one of Lt. Bob Bennett's finest sea boots in the San Diego channel on returning from sea.

-Man overboard drills in Westpac to retrieve glass fishing floats. (Was it Sam Powell who had the large collection of those things?)

-The narrow walkway down the center of the after room as we returned from Westpac. All the rest of that space was packed with stereos and other "goodies" as we left the Yokosuka exchange empty of electronic gear. My father-in-law watched us bring all that stuff topside and just shook his head in amazement.

-Spending the entire trip from Yokosuka to San Diego with a small tv set at the foot of my bunk and a three foot long set of carved wooden dolphins in the bunk, too.More will probably follow.