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Jack Hunter (LT) This second compartment going aft from the bow was the location for one of the two main storage batteries. Each battery consisted of 126 cells with each cell weighing about 2000 lbs. The cells were connected in series to provide 250 volts per battery. The two batteries were the primary source of propulsion power when submerged as well as the source for all lighting and auxiliaries. The battery was located under the walking deck of the compartment and was accessible through a hatch in the compartment's fore and aft passageway. On the port side as you entered the compartment from the Forward TorpedoRoom was the Officer's Pantry. Food that was prepared in the After Battery/Crew's Quarters was brought forward to the pantry. The pantry had a warming oven, a refrigerator, storage space for the wardroom dishes, silverware and table linens, a small sink for washing dishes, and a twoelement coffee maker for coffee and hot water. On the starboard side across from the pantry was the officer's shower. Quite frequently, the shower was used for food storage and thus was unavailable for its intended use until the food stuffs stored there were consumed. Next to and aft of the shower was the Ship's Office. It was in this small, confined space that the ship's yeoman typed up everything from a simple one page 'Plan of the Day' to complex, multi-part patrol reports. Across the passageway from the Ship's Office and adjacent to the pantry was the Wardroom. It was here that the officers took their meals and held meetings. When extra officers or senior civilian riders were aboard, one of the wardroom settees could be made up into a bunk. Aft of the Wardroom was the Executive Officer's Stateroom (which also served as his office). The second berth in the stateroom was usually used by the third most senior officer on board. Across from the Wardroom and aft of Ship's Office was a three man bunkroom. In addition to the three bunks in this space was a small hanging locker (for dress uniforms and civilian suits), a pullman-style wash basin and medicine cabinet, and a single desk with a fold down desk shelf. Each man had a single drawer built in under the desk for storage of personalgear. Other personal storage space consisted of a narrow, flat storage area under the mattress pan and small lockers outboard of the bunks built into the curvature of the hull. The last space on the starboard side was the Captain's Stateroom. It was placed here to give the Captain ready access to the Control Room, the next compartment aft. Aft of the XO's stateroom on the port side was the Chief Petty Officer's bunk room -commonly referred to as the Goat Locker. This space provided bunks, a pullman-style wash basin and personal gear storage space for five of the ship's senior petty officers. Jack Hunter: "hunter5982@earthlink.net" |
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