U.S. Submarine Related - Uncomfortable Places

Print Page | Close Window

Uncomfortable Places

Printed From: Rontini Submarine BBS
Category: General
Forum Name: U.S. Submarine Related
Forum Description: Submarine Related Topics
URL: http://RontiniSubmarineBBS.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5071
Printed Date: 06 May 2024 at 9:01am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Uncomfortable Places

Posted By: Sewer Pipe Snipe
Subject: Uncomfortable Places
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2019 at 6:59pm

I used to hate getting down into the sumps under the main seawater valves to clean them out for field day. It was bad enough after refit to get the various tools and hardware out of there. However the field day prior to returning from patrol it was downright spooky. You had to lift a deck plate ad slide around and past all sorts of piping. A tight fit to say the least. You couldn't get down there with a pickup tool to retrieve stuff or wipe it down. Now I was in M2LL when a seawater chest blow line popped. That was interesting. However thinking of something like that happening while trapped under those valves spooked hell out of me. It is amazing that the wardroom thought just because the flashlight beam could get in there, it should be spotlessly clean. Where was your spook spot on the Boat?

-------------
Walt,
Had I done everything right throughout my life, the World wouldn't have noticed.

Replies:

Posted By: Tom McNulty
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2019 at 7:16pm

I never liked crawling underneath the first stage of a Polaris A1 Missile during testing. The nozzles and hydraulic actuator were about 18inches above the no.se. The nozzles would actuate and you verify missile roll. pitch and yaw. That and the hydraulic pump motor turning 20,000 rpm made it less than quiet. Sometimes the hydraulic package would need fluid added. You hand pumped until it passed. If the pressure relief valve popped and sprayed the hydraulic fluid in your face it could permanently blind you. That stuff was a bit caustic too. I was acting as the 2nd man for the 2 man rule so we were both stuck in there when one lifted. My LPO got the full monty but was able to close his eyes in time. But he had to be flushed with distilled water. It could have turned out very bad for us both.

-------------
SSBN599B,SSBN600B,SSBN611G
USNR Beaumont, TX,
USSVI Life Member
Mid Atlantic Base
Holland Club

Posted By: c stafford
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 9:55am

Every place on a boat is a tight fit.

When I was tracing piping and valves in the superstructure on the Barbel, I got stuck.

Couldn't go forward or backward. Definitely couldn't go up or down. I decided I better just relax and soon I was able to wiggle out, never to try that again.

It was good that I was skinny back then.

-------------
Chris
USS Barbel, MM2(SS)
USSVI Life
Blueback Base, Life
San Diego Base, Life
Holland Club

Posted By: 3boatphil
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2019 at 6:19pm

Funny story about the “If you can see it, you can clean it” theory of Field Day:

The XO was doing a Zone Inspection with a flashlight. He saw a pair of sneakers sticking out under a pipe, and proceeded to bitch at the person responsible for the zone. He became very quite when the PO told him “Sir, those are you sneakers, on your feet.”

Posted By: Bgurls
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2019 at 6:36pm

Closing out Negative tank, BONEFISH overhaul. Up into the sea chest, in, then immediate turn past the flood valve. Still don't know how I got out of there.

-------------
SSR269,SS580(CO),SS582(XO),SSBN634,SSBN619,AS18(XO),SUBASE PH(XO),SUBSCHOOL(XO),SUBPAC(FLAG SEC),PERS42(DETAILER), CSS1(Chief Staff Officer)DAV(Life Member)VFW(Life Member)