Note: The nametag "Taylor" on the uniform in the Captain's stateroom is the name of one of the retired Navy officers (a LCDR) who was instrumental in bringing Blueback to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI).
My Dad Malcolm Munsey was the skipper of the Blueback. Took Command in Bermerton SS581 Wa during overhal and to Hawaii then to a Westpac cruise. He was also the XO of the Bonefish SS582. The Blueback. Bonefish and Barbel were known as the B-Girls.
I think I remember the Barbel as being a diesel electric boat with the same hull design as the nuclear powered boats of the time. I believe we had her at Mare Island maybe late 70's or early 80's.
Thought that looked familiar. Worked at OMSI for 13 years. Crawled nearly every inch of that boat running cabling for networking, a/v, lighting for special events, etc. Been nearly 20 years since I left. Wonder how much of the stuff I installed is still there and in use. Was fun to stop people in the museum and ask how their tour of the sub was. They always asked how did I know they took the tour. Answer was always “I have a nose for such things”. They always smelled like old diesel fuel. 😅
Great video. Two things about the captain's stateroom. 1. A Lt-Cdr belonging to "Taylor's" uniform does not have scrambled eggs on his hats. 2. Just like in the nuc attack boats, this captain's bunk folds up into the niche on the outboard wall to reveal a desk in the center and a seat at each end of the space below the bunk. 3. The sink also folds up into the bulkhead. It is a clever design developed for the WW2 fleet boats.
Correct. However, since Taylor's khaki shirt has O-5 insignia, his hat has the appropriate scrambled eggs on it. My guess is that his efforts to get the sub to the museum began when he was still a Lt. Cmdr. Then he was promoted and then donated his uniform items to the museum where we display them in the CO's stateroom.
In the Portuguese Army of the eighties we had beds stacked in groups of three. (theoretically they could be stacked until reaching the ceiling 😀)The free room available to the bed above was probably identical, not taller than here. Mattresses were made in cheap foam but pretty comfortable.
Grandfather served on the Balao-class subs during WW2 in the Pacific. He often joked that every time he got home after a patrol there would be a can of engine degreaser and an abrasive brush waiting for him on the front porch. For good reason he worked on the diesels and electric engines while only being able to shower once a week. When I joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the Ohio Boomers, he NEVER let me hear the end of it on how spoiled I am serving aboard today’s subs.
Submarines are so cool just because they have to use the space given as efficiently as possible. thank you for this! always very cool to see the ways day to day life is different on these boats.
I used to work on North Sea oil installations and ‘hot bunking’ was still common practice on many of them, since the standard working pattern was two 12 hour shifts you would be getting up about an hour before whoever you were sharing the bunk with came off shift.
My Mom's father served on U boats during WW 2 and assisted with getting the US submarine fleet improved while working with Admiral Richover. But your right....This looks much more "comfortable " then the older boats. Not too sure about how comfortable those bunks would have been for me given that I am 6 ft 5..... Braces himself for the "Buzzard" jokes...😂
I don’t have to wonder what “sleeping” or living in a submarine is like. I spent 5 years on a submarine in the US Navy, so I know from firsthand experience what being on a submarine is like! ETV2(SS) Glenn Scroggins
Great video. We donated a few parts from Sturgeon to Blueback when they were getting her ready for museum duty in 93'. Sturgeon was being inactivated and all that is left of 637 is her sail at Keyport, WA. Same brown paneling on Sturgeon.👍
Thanks for sharing! One of the biggest challenges is finding information on what parts of the boat are original (and to what time period), and what parts are donated. From my understanding, they had to refurbish a lot of the interior before turning her into a museum. It was largely gutted when they got her.
I got a chance to walk along side Blueback but couldn’t go inside because my kid was to young. Looked awesome!, I’ve got to go inside the submarines USS Pampanito, USS Dolphin, USS Razorback and the Russian Submarine B-39. B-39 was probably my favorite, unfortunately they sold it for scrap to Mexico a year or two ago.
When I was in cub scouts I got to sleep on the USS Blueback in Portland Oregon that was more than 25 years ago I still remember it and my sleeping bag still smells like diesel as it was the last diesel electric sub in the US Navy. I remember the bed feeling very cramped and I wasn't 6ft 5in at 10 years old, I can't imagine how bad it would be now.
So sad. In the army I slept on the ground or in a hole I'd dug, in a sleeping bag under a plastic sheet if it was raining wearing the same clothes I'd worn for weeks. I ate out of cans and packets and I got up in the middle of the night to stand a 2 hour machinegun picquet. I pooped in a hole I'd dug. Next day I'd tromp through the bush carrying a pack, weapon, rations, ammunition, water from a local stream, (sterilized with foul tasting tablets), and of course my sleeping bag, then that night I'd do it all again. So sad for the navy.
MMMMM ok, so you enjoy being treated like crap and a pack animal. Me I will stick with the hot chow, ac, hot showers, the ice cream machine on the boats and not being treated like crap or a pack animal.
I know... You Army guys get wide open spaces, fresh air, freezing or blisteringly hot days, heavy packs, gourmet C-Rats/MREs, toilet paper (if you're lucky), and the joy of firing automatic weapons. Some days, you'd think the Army got all the nice stuff.
As a MIDN, I got to sleep on top of a Mk48 in an Oberon! True! Nowhere else on the whole boat, just one spare hot rack. Junior sailors spent all week taking the piss out of poor Mr UJ lol. Cheers from AU! ⚓
Aannnndddd this is why I’m glad I was usaf. At worst I slept on a cot during training and had even if briefly before getting a house with my then wife, I had a room with a proper bed to myself. Shared a bathroom tho. Downside was the dude I shared it with next to me was a different afsc and clearly he was night shift while I was dayshift. Had to ask him to keep his music down at night so I could sleep…kinda let it be known don’t make the guy who controls your entry and exit have a bad nights sleep lol.
My uncle was given the Honor to represent Submarine Vets. He was on the USS SEAHORSE WWII. For this sub at the Omsi. When it was released to the public.
You should show the berthing space on a gator freighter, aka, amphibious ships for Marines. The Marine berthing is drastically different from the sailors berthing. At least back in the 80’s.
I remember sleeping on the Edson a while back with the others from Wolverine Division from the USNSCC it was hot, the a/c was out and we had a fan for all those bodies, most of us slept in just our undies and on top of our blankets and pillows, while I did enjoy the noise I did not enjoy the snoring coming from one of my bunk mates couldn’t tell who or where since it was completely lights out but let’s just say I won’t forget how it felt like to sleep on a destroyer
They're the same size and height as we had on the carrier. I was middle rack which worked well for me because I'm 6'3". I slept on the opposite side of the light because on our 3rd night out I busted my forehead on it so I flipped sides pretty quick after that lol.
Accommodations in combat zones are roughly the same. Spent years with my face 6 inches from the ceiling, inside a vehicle tophatch knees to my chest, or sleeping in a dirt hole.
I'm not sure what you are referring to. The access doors in the paneling of the rack are probably hiding valves, more than likely hydraulic though it could be anything (potable water, etc)
Normally I’ve seen coffin racks refer to racks where part of the bed is walled in on both sides (especially when it is your head) in order to maximize the number in a space. Being fully walled in can increase the claustrophobic nature of the racks, though because they can be quiter they were sought after by some on the crew.
The LCDR cover was probably destroyed or ruined and we've had to substitute various items. A number of items on the submarine are merely substitutes or donated items from other sailors (and not original to boat). When the Navy turned the boat over to the museum, much of it was gutted and had to sourced from other places.
I was serving as Messenger of the Watch, while I was the off-duty Helmsman-Planesman one early morning when the Officer of the Deck, peering through the periscope noted local sunrise. As one of the astrological/meteorological events that are mandated to be reported to the ships Commanding Officer, the OOD ordered me to report this event to the CO. As per regulations, I presented myself in front of the CO's cabin, knocked three times sharply, then entered the cabin. My Commanding officer, a Commander in the United States Navy, a veritable Father-Figure to me (I was 19 years-old at the time) and the man who literally held my destiny in his hand......... Stood there completely naked. He was just about to get into the shower when I made my report, which I did: " Sir, the Officer of the Deck sends his respects and reports sunrise" The Captain didn't bat an eye and said: "Very well", then went into the head for his shower. Almost 40 years later, my wife and I have a dinner with my old CO and his wife, usually around Christmas, near their home. He's still a father to me................
You know, I prefer to sleep in very small and dark places. I don't like giant beds. Id be happily snoozing away. Im only 5 foot tall so to me, a coffin berth would be perfect.
6 on, 6 off, 6 on,6 off, on a duty day, then work day, then training day. At sea though essentially duty days and work days. BB 61 USS IOWA MARDET. Subs are different.
I like the way everyone complains about the services they chose.. there is no draft. You know the army, navy and marines talking about living arrangements. I joined the Air force and was an imagery interpreter. Best food I ever had. One man rooms.. and once I broke a sweat in my work area and we were sent out until the air conditioner was fixed because we could not sweat with the materials we were handling. All I can say is you chose poorly.. Or… you are not complaining you are bragging about self abuse…
188cm long bunks? So you couldn't comfortably use a US sub in the Dutch Navy. Oh well, I am sure they decided after much thought. In any case, always amazed at how hard life is on a sub. I would commend the sailors for it if I thought their job was good for humanity.
I’m 6’4” and signed up for sub duty to get the school I wanted, once in school I cancelled my sub duty (all voluntary in the 70s). No way I was going to live in a head knocker.
Rockabye baby seabag bunk under mattress body always in motion get over sea sickness as best you can good food learn as much as you can while you can. More school after hitch !
Note: The nametag "Taylor" on the uniform in the Captain's stateroom is the name of one of the retired Navy officers (a LCDR) who was instrumental in bringing Blueback to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI).
He deserves to be remembered for that. The last boat's co in a way.
3:52 "Now, in comparison, this is pretty "sub" par . . . "
I see what you did there! 😆
Thanks for the tour!
I’ve toured that boat, it’s an interesting tour. It made me appreciate the barracks I used to occupy as a firefighter.
My Dad Malcolm Munsey was the skipper of the Blueback. Took Command in Bermerton SS581 Wa during overhal and to Hawaii then to a Westpac cruise. He was also the XO of the Bonefish SS582. The Blueback. Bonefish and Barbel were known as the B-Girls.
I think I remember the Barbel as being a diesel electric boat with the same hull design as the nuclear powered boats of the time. I believe we had her at Mare Island maybe late 70's or early 80's.
Breathing from a pillow the guy before me used sounds like such a dream.
Thought that looked familiar. Worked at OMSI for 13 years. Crawled nearly every inch of that boat running cabling for networking, a/v, lighting for special events, etc. Been nearly 20 years since I left. Wonder how much of the stuff I installed is still there and in use. Was fun to stop people in the museum and ask how their tour of the sub was. They always asked how did I know they took the tour. Answer was always “I have a nose for such things”. They always smelled like old diesel fuel. 😅
Great video. Two things about the captain's stateroom.
1. A Lt-Cdr belonging to "Taylor's" uniform does not have scrambled eggs on his hats.
2. Just like in the nuc attack boats, this captain's bunk folds up into the niche on the outboard wall to reveal a desk in the center and a seat at each end of the space below the bunk.
3. The sink also folds up into the bulkhead. It is a clever design developed for the WW2 fleet boats.
Correct. However, since Taylor's khaki shirt has O-5 insignia, his hat has the appropriate scrambled eggs on it. My guess is that his efforts to get the sub to the museum began when he was still a Lt. Cmdr. Then he was promoted and then donated his uniform items to the museum where we display them in the CO's stateroom.
In the Portuguese Army of the eighties we had beds stacked in groups of three. (theoretically they could be stacked until reaching the ceiling 😀)The free room available to the bed above was probably identical, not taller than here. Mattresses were made in cheap foam but pretty comfortable.
Very interesting! Thanks for giving us the tour!
Grandfather served on the Balao-class subs during WW2 in the Pacific. He often joked that every time he got home after a patrol there would be a can of engine degreaser and an abrasive brush waiting for him on the front porch.
For good reason he worked on the diesels and electric engines while only being able to shower once a week.
When I joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the Ohio Boomers, he NEVER let me hear the end of it on how spoiled I am serving aboard today’s subs.
D.B.F.
I love the “back in my day” story. I find myself doing that now after getting out the Army.
Served on the george Washington ssbn, same here, hot racked a few times
@@lorenspiller7096 I worked on the Washington at Mare Island. I was a nuke, marine machinist.
Submarines are so cool just because they have to use the space given as efficiently as possible. thank you for this! always very cool to see the ways day to day life is different on these boats.
I used to work on North Sea oil installations and ‘hot bunking’ was still common practice on many of them, since the standard working pattern was two 12 hour shifts you would be getting up about an hour before whoever you were sharing the bunk with came off shift.
Spent 20 years on submarines. Never heard the term "coffin" used in reference to a bed pan or a rack. Thankfully never had to hot rack.
It was used by surface fleet. We called them coffin lockers on the destroyer. ⚓
As a Marine that was more room than we had on amphibious transports
that's cause y'all are cargo.
@@MesaperProductions You must be a squid?🤣
A fantastic boat to visit, ina great city. This is a great presentation to see prior to a visit. I loved how you gave the presentation.
Looks like more room than we had for our three high “coffin racks” on the ship I was on in the USCG 😂
A lot more than we had on the old diesel-electric boats in the Old Navy!
My Mom's father served on U boats during WW 2 and assisted with getting the US submarine fleet improved while working with Admiral Richover.
But your right....This looks much more "comfortable " then the older boats.
Not too sure about how comfortable those bunks would have been for me given that I am 6 ft 5.....
Braces himself for the "Buzzard" jokes...😂
I really like the fake wood bulkheads, definitely more cosy/homley, wish we did that on hour ships, lurs are very clinical.
I don’t have to wonder what “sleeping” or living in a submarine is like. I spent 5 years on a submarine in the US Navy, so I know from firsthand experience what being on a submarine is like!
ETV2(SS) Glenn Scroggins
I’m definitely visiting this next time I’m in Portland. Thank you for the informative video for the land dwellers.
Great video. We donated a few parts from Sturgeon to Blueback when they were getting her ready for museum duty in 93'. Sturgeon was being inactivated and all that is left of 637 is her sail at Keyport, WA. Same brown paneling on Sturgeon.👍
Thanks for sharing! One of the biggest challenges is finding information on what parts of the boat are original (and to what time period), and what parts are donated. From my understanding, they had to refurbish a lot of the interior before turning her into a museum. It was largely gutted when they got her.
I got a chance to walk along side Blueback but couldn’t go inside because my kid was to young. Looked awesome!, I’ve got to go inside the submarines USS Pampanito, USS Dolphin, USS Razorback and the Russian Submarine B-39. B-39 was probably my favorite, unfortunately they sold it for scrap to Mexico a year or two ago.
When I was in cub scouts I got to sleep on the USS Blueback in Portland Oregon that was more than 25 years ago I still remember it and my sleeping bag still smells like diesel as it was the last diesel electric sub in the US Navy. I remember the bed feeling very cramped and I wasn't 6ft 5in at 10 years old, I can't imagine how bad it would be now.
So sad. In the army I slept on the ground or in a hole I'd dug, in a sleeping bag under a plastic sheet if it was raining wearing the same clothes I'd worn for weeks. I ate out of cans and packets and I got up in the middle of the night to stand a 2 hour machinegun picquet. I pooped in a hole I'd dug. Next day I'd tromp through the bush carrying a pack, weapon, rations, ammunition, water from a local stream, (sterilized with foul tasting tablets), and of course my sleeping bag, then that night I'd do it all again. So sad for the navy.
MMMMM ok, so you enjoy being treated like crap and a pack animal. Me I will stick with the hot chow, ac, hot showers, the ice cream machine on the boats and not being treated like crap or a pack animal.
I know... You Army guys get wide open spaces, fresh air, freezing or blisteringly hot days, heavy packs, gourmet C-Rats/MREs, toilet paper (if you're lucky), and the joy of firing automatic weapons. Some days, you'd think the Army got all the nice stuff.
You volunteered right? 😂
Sounds like a kindergarten walk in the park compared to what the guys on the submarines USS Scorpion and USS Thresher got, or the USS Bonefish.
Right there with ya buddy. 101st Airborne Infantry, 11B20.
thank you for your service my brother
As a MIDN, I got to sleep on top of a Mk48 in an Oberon! True! Nowhere else on the whole boat, just one spare hot rack. Junior sailors spent all week taking the piss out of poor Mr UJ lol. Cheers from AU! ⚓
Aannnndddd this is why I’m glad I was usaf. At worst I slept on a cot during training and had even if briefly before getting a house with my then wife, I had a room with a proper bed to myself. Shared a bathroom tho.
Downside was the dude I shared it with next to me was a different afsc and clearly he was night shift while I was dayshift. Had to ask him to keep his music down at night so I could sleep…kinda let it be known don’t make the guy who controls your entry and exit have a bad nights sleep lol.
My uncle was given the Honor to represent Submarine Vets.
He was on the USS SEAHORSE WWII. For this sub at the Omsi. When it was released to the public.
You should show the berthing space on a gator freighter, aka, amphibious ships for Marines. The Marine berthing is drastically different from the sailors berthing. At least back in the 80’s.
I was on a fast frigate in the 80's did 2 eight month med cruises with a rack like that.
This brought back some memories...
Good job shipmates! Welcome to the club of TH-cam channel submarines!
I remember sleeping on the Edson a while back with the others from Wolverine Division from the USNSCC it was hot, the a/c was out and we had a fan for all those bodies, most of us slept in just our undies and on top of our blankets and pillows, while I did enjoy the noise I did not enjoy the snoring coming from one of my bunk mates couldn’t tell who or where since it was completely lights out but let’s just say I won’t forget how it felt like to sleep on a destroyer
Nice tour. ⚓
Ever wonder what it's like to sleep on a cot in a tent in the desert eating field chow and MRE's for a year?
A cot? You guys got a cot?!
@@captainamerica6525 ya we remembered to bring our gear
The wood paneling looks too luxurious for the crew.
They're the same size and height as we had on the carrier. I was middle rack which worked well for me because I'm 6'3". I slept on the opposite side of the light because on our 3rd night out I busted my forehead on it so I flipped sides pretty quick after that lol.
The only submarine I gsve visited us the cavalla in Galveston. Thus is a hilton compared to it. Thanks, i would like to visit this ship.
No…..I’ve never wondered what it’s like to sleep on a submarine 😂
Sounds delightful.😢
The worst part of getting out of the navy was leaving my friend's behind.
Accommodations in combat zones are roughly the same. Spent years with my face 6 inches from the ceiling, inside a vehicle tophatch knees to my chest, or sleeping in a dirt hole.
0:10 I was really hoping you would explain what those openings in the bulkhead were.
I'm not sure what you are referring to. The access doors in the paneling of the rack are probably hiding valves, more than likely hydraulic though it could be anything (potable water, etc)
35 years (1970-2005) in the US submarine force and I never heard a bunk referred to as a "coffin rack." Silly nonsense.
Normally I’ve seen coffin racks refer to racks where part of the bed is walled in on both sides (especially when it is your head) in order to maximize the number in a space. Being fully walled in can increase the claustrophobic nature of the racks, though because they can be quiter they were sought after by some on the crew.
had that on destroyer 3 high bunks
had hammocks on cruiser 4 high
I was on 5 different Diesel/electric boats in the 60's and 70's. Berthing was NEVER like this for the enlisted man E6 and below.
Why does the CO have a LCDR uniform, but a CDR cover?? Just being CO doesn't warrant the scambled eggs on the brim?
The LCDR cover was probably destroyed or ruined and we've had to substitute various items. A number of items on the submarine are merely substitutes or donated items from other sailors (and not original to boat). When the Navy turned the boat over to the museum, much of it was gutted and had to sourced from other places.
My dad stayed in the junior officer's stateroom where the stairs are now.
Also, my family ate Thanksgiving dinner in the Blueback's Ward Room in 1988 because my dad (a Lieutenant JG) was on duty.
I’m so claustrophobic I can’t even watch this video !
Probably moved due to the noise from the wardroom
I would think if the President was on the boat the Captain would be the one sharing a room with the XO
I was serving as Messenger of the Watch, while I was the off-duty Helmsman-Planesman one early morning when the Officer of the Deck, peering through the periscope noted local sunrise.
As one of the astrological/meteorological events that are mandated to be reported to the ships Commanding Officer, the OOD ordered me to report this event to the CO.
As per regulations, I presented myself in front of the CO's cabin, knocked three times sharply, then entered the cabin.
My Commanding officer, a Commander in the United States Navy, a veritable Father-Figure to me (I was 19 years-old at the time) and the man who literally held my destiny in his hand.........
Stood there completely naked.
He was just about to get into the shower when I made my report, which I did: " Sir, the Officer of the Deck sends his respects and reports sunrise"
The Captain didn't bat an eye and said: "Very well", then went into the head for his shower.
Almost 40 years later, my wife and I have a dinner with my old CO and his wife, usually around Christmas, near their home.
He's still a father to me................
Jeeze, compare that to 140 man berthing on an aircraft carrier. Same rack, but with curtains for the 4th wall.
Spent an overnight in the Silversides. Never forget the smell of diesel that permeated the air.
Ever heard of the term "Paint and Powder"?
You know, I prefer to sleep in very small and dark places. I don't like giant beds. Id be happily snoozing away. Im only 5 foot tall so to me, a coffin berth would be perfect.
Thankfully, american men are 5 foot 9 on an average. I wonder if european produced subs have better accomendations
Speaking just for me, and couple million in Army green...Eff That! Rather be snoozing in rattletrap called an M-113! 🤣😂🤣
😊
Why 6-hour watches instead of 8-hour watches?
6 on, 6 off, 6 on,6 off, on a duty day, then work day, then training day. At sea though essentially duty days and work days. BB 61 USS IOWA MARDET. Subs are different.
Thats the Marriot , compared to a WW2 submarine , especially a German one . They were some of the worst .
I like the way everyone complains about the services they chose.. there is no draft.
You know the army, navy and marines talking about living arrangements.
I joined the Air force and was an imagery interpreter. Best food I ever had. One man rooms.. and once I broke a sweat in my work area and we were sent out until the air conditioner was fixed because we could not sweat with the materials we were handling.
All I can say is you chose poorly..
Or… you are not complaining you are bragging about self abuse…
I would be like Johnson bumping his head every time he tried getting out of bed. Ouch.
I could live with the limited space but that “wood” paneling would have to go!
188cm long bunks? So you couldn't comfortably use a US sub in the Dutch Navy. Oh well, I am sure they decided after much thought.
In any case, always amazed at how hard life is on a sub. I would commend the sailors for it if I thought their job was good for humanity.
Bottom line: Submarines are not for the claustrophobic.
6ft 2in of room, great, I’m 6ft 6in, have enough trouble with normal beds.
I’m 6’4” and signed up for sub duty to get the school I wanted, once in school I cancelled my sub duty (all voluntary in the 70s). No way I was going to live in a head knocker.
I literally couldn't straighten my legs in there.
No patrol sock on the rack
Put that thing back into service.
All those substances sitting there in abremerton just waiting for war.
Nope, not for me. Know a guy that spent almost an entire Navy career on subs. He's 4'10" .
Was that before or after he was in the Navy? Haha!
I used to be a submarine
So instead of just pointing to the XO state room, why don’t you actually show us you standing there talking that’s boring. 👎
Better than sleeping on a torpedo skid. Don't ask me how I know.
Better than a woobie in the dirt...
My back hurts
What is up with all that simulated wood grain?!
Fancy formica laminate paneling.
@@LM-ek2hb it'll come back in style, any day now...
Man the amount of times you smack your head
Rockabye baby seabag bunk under mattress body always in motion get over sea sickness as best you can good food learn as much as you can while you can. More school after hitch !
I'm built like an offensive lineman...I wouldn't fit in those racks
Im 5ft4, comfy ;)
damn, being homeless looks better than that. and i've been homeless
Spent 24 hours on a sub as a midshipman. That was more than enough. Fascinating warfare specialty but not for me.
And now bringing in women on Sub's...I am sure that they are not as spartan as the men's quarters?
Yeah it must suck bad enough being pregnant on a submarine, but actually having to spit the kid out down there too....
Laughs in diesel boat. DBF.
MAYBE they have a coffee pot in the Goat Locker ?
There is ALWAYS a coffee pot in the Goat Locker!
They shouldn’t let pregnant people onto submarines. Seems like a terrible place for birthing
Why would they let a pregnant woman get on a submarine in the first place?!🤣
Can’t smoke blunts so I’m out
Claustrophobic !!!
Much worse than WW2 subs. Too many people packed in the submarine.
Girly boys...go Army
Ew and nope
This guy stinks