THE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

( ANON)

J.K. Davis Capt '64-'66

During the summer of 1964, submarines and tenders were moored at Ballast Point. During those quiet and very warm days, much thought was given, especially in SPINAX, to doing something to create interest in the nest and among the submarines operating there, even to the point of sparking competition between boats. Tales still were remembered, for example, of earlier days when SPERRY and NEREUS were anchored near the Convair plant and submarines in both nests waged nightly war with RONQUIL, attempting with every trick in the book to steal her sail-mounted brass tiger!

So now again in 1964, planning firmed and on a hot Saturday afternoon, so the story goes, a taxi screeched to a halt on the dock at SPINAX's brow. A gentleman in a fedora hat and trench coat came aboard and confirmed that this was SPINAX. He identified himself to the deck watch and Chief of the Duty Section as a representative of the San Diego Veterans Organization, and apologizing for being in such a hurry, announced that SPINAX had been honored by his organization for exceptional good sportsmanship during the preceding year. He presented a very distinguished looking plaque to the Chief and hastily took his departure, roaring away in the cab.

On the Monday morning following, all hands at quarters were advised of the award and SPINAX got underway for the weeks' local ops. During that week at sea, our machinists fashioned a Monel u-bolt and nuts so that the plaque could be securely mounted on the sail forward, at eye level. SPINAX returned at weeks end and moored in the nest and before the brow was put over to the next boat inboard, the Officer of the Deck called out "Rig the Good Sportsmanship Award," and the quartermaster on the bridge gave a lusty blast on his whistle. At this, a deckhand marched smartly to the front of the sail and mounted the plaque in the (new) two holes provided while someone threaded on the nuts from the inside. The deckhand stepped back and announced "Good Sportsmanship Award rigged, sir!" Everyone then went on about their business on board. But on the neighboring boats, curiosity was rampant! Questions flew! What was that? How did you get it? Who gave it to you? News of the award spread throughout Ballast Point and other submarines began planning to try to steal it. The JO2 from the Flotilla newspaper came down to the ship and interviewed some of the officers and took photos of the COB and crewmen standing proudly by the plaque.

A few days later, ComSubFlotOne's messenger came on board with the message that the Commodore wished to see the Commanding Officer. The Commodore greeted the skipper with warm congratulations on the award and asked why he hadn't been notified of it sooner! The skipper recalled those earlier days when such events had galvanized all the submarines in the flotilla and confided to the Commodore that the whole thing was really a hoax, designed to spark the flotilla. The Commodore laughed and remembered taking part in earlier such schemes. He vowed to keep the secret if we would. He then said,"Does your DivCom know about this?" And when the response was "no" he said, "You better get back to your boat!" and reached for the intercom to the DivCom.

The DivCom bought the cover story and never learned the truth, accepting congratulations from other unknowing staff officers.

SPINAX succeeded in keeping the plaque and its mystery alive for several weeks before leaving the area. Divers from Scripps Institute who were studying laminar flow over the bow planes photographed the plaque in its mounted position at a depth of 100'. This photo is included in web site gallery photos. The plaque was wood, carried an engraved plate with SPINAX's name under what appeared to be submarine dolphins between what looked suspiciously like two Cadillac Fleetwood wreaths. It worked! And the SPINAX crew took pride in being referred to as "Good Sports" from that time on! Our Pecos immortalized the SPINAX Good Sports in our award-winning shipís newspaper and long-running comic strip.