Incredible Weekend

**TopHatter** · 03-05-2007, 23:20 PM

This weekend, my two best friends (Shawn and Jenni) and I made the 6-hour drive up to Mayport Naval Station to await the arrival of Shawn's buddy from the Navy whose boat - USS San Juan (SSN-751) - was putting in there from Groton CT.

I was hoping for a quick tour of the boat and would have been thrilled with just that, but by the end of the day, I'd toured not only the San Juan, but also USS Hue City (CG-66) and the Columbian Navy's Type 209 diesel/electric boat Tayrona.

The crew that we encountered on all 3 warships were courteous and hospitable to say the least.

Thanks to the Columbian lieutenant who ushered the 4 of us around his trim and squared away boat. Those Columbians know how to ride in style: There was a large Philips flat-panel HDTV mounted in the middle of the 8 torpedo tubes for the crew to watch (their bunks are sitting on top of the reloads) and a brand-new punching bag suspended right behind the search periscope, presumably removed during drills

These are the pics we took, and yes, I have the stupidest grin on my face. For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it certainly shows...

I especially want to give a warm thanks to CPO Veriha, without whom this weekend would not have been possible.

texasjohn · 03-05-2007, 23:25 PM

3 Warships in ONE weekend? some people have all the luck! Do post more pics if you can!

**TopHatter** · 03-06-2007, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasjohn

3 Warships in ONE weekend? some people have all the luck! Do post more pics if you can!

Wasn't quite expecting to visit three ships, much less a foreign sub, just worked out that way.

In a perfect world, I'd have spent a lot more time on the Hue City and also toured USS Roosevelt (DDG-80) and one of the half-dozen Perry-class frigates moored there.

I'll try to upload some more pictures tomorrow, I'm having a problem with my connection today for some reason.

667medic · 03-06-2007, 05:10 AM

Wish I were that lucky

Ray · 03-06-2007, 05:11 AM

You seem to be a seafaring man!

Must have been a pirate sailing the Maine in some previous life. I presume all that can be explained to you by THL.

**TopHatter** · 03-06-2007, 09:01 AM

Here's a shot on the Hue City, plus one of the ship itself from navsource.org

Debbie · 03-06-2007, 14:02 PM

I'm sure all of us can't wait until you are able to post more pictures

highsea · 03-06-2007, 17:06 PM

Nice pics, TH. Did they put that MOB pole there for you?

**TopHatter** · 03-06-2007, 17:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highsea

Did they put that MOB pole there for you?

Boy oh boy, I would have felt safer topside on the Tayrona with one nearby.
Getting from the brow to the hatch was not for those with 2 left feet like me. Somehow I managed it without swimming with all of the jellyfish though.

Then, when we left the boat, the brow somehow managed to get pushed nearly up against the rail, meaning you had to suck in your gut, hold your breath and squeeze through.

That flat-panel TV mounted between the tubes still cracks me up

subba · 03-06-2007, 17:29 PM

Tophatter Sir, the first pic..i think it's the Columbian sub. Some pretty evident violations and bad maintenance evident at first glance. The spot above where you standing..plenty rust. Should have been chipped, grinded and painted at first instance. Looks there's some welding at the seams where the rust is setting in..

Then the electrical cable for the sub going into the conning tower..i think they are not running the gennies for power parked at Norfolk. Getting it from shore i assume..(maybe i am wrong). But if so..covering the connecting socket with cheap taped plastic and leaving it generally on the surface should piss some audit people off.

Dangerous for guests coming into a sub specially during rain showers.

Quote:

There was a large Philips flat-panel HDTV mounted in the middle of the 8 torpedo tubes for the crew to watch (their bunks are sitting on top of the reloads) and a brand-new punching bag suspended right behind the search periscope, presumably removed during drills

Can't resist sir, but i think drills are meant to simulate actual conditions. IF they are just removing the punching bags for 'drills'..then you had a trip on a potential disaster vessel..

Hope some submariners clarify my take on this..

**TopHatter** · 03-06-2007, 19:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subba

Tophatter Sir, the first pic..i think it's the Columbian sub. Some pretty evident violations and bad maintenance evident at first glance. The spot above where you standing..plenty rust. Should have been chipped, grinded and painted at first instance. Looks there's some welding at the seams where the rust is setting in..

Nope, that is the sail of an American 688i SSN that I've got my hand on.

The Tayrona is a German-built Type 209, much smaller than the San Juan

Quote:

Originally Posted by subba

Can't resist sir, but i think drills are meant to simulate actual conditions. IF they are just removing the punching bags for 'drills'..then you had a trip on a potential disaster vessel..

True, I should have said "Battle Conditions and Drills" to be complete.

**TopHatter** · 03-06-2007, 22:03 PM

OK, one last goofy smile picture

Debbie · 03-06-2007, 22:31 PM

Nothing goofy about a smile when the man behind it is enjoying himself

**Parihaka** · 03-06-2007, 22:37 PM

Talk about a kid in a candystore

Any good souvenirs? Apart from the memories of course

THL · 03-06-2007, 22:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

You seem to be a seafaring man!

Must have been a pirate sailing the Maine in some previous life. I presume all that can be explained to you by THL.

I have tried, Ray. I just cannot seem to convert our dear TH.

Very nice pictures, TH....You know I am truly jealous!!

03-05-2007, 23:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
TopHatter Administrator Join Date: 09-03-03 Location: Fort Myers FL Posts: 9,822 Country:	Incredible Weekend This weekend, my two best friends (Shawn and Jenni) and I made the 6-hour drive up to Mayport Naval Station to await the arrival of Shawn's buddy from the Navy whose boat - USS San Juan (SSN-751) - was putting in there from Groton CT. I was hoping for a quick tour of the boat and would have been thrilled with just that, but by the end of the day, I'd toured not only the San Juan, but also USS Hue City (CG-66) and the Columbian Navy's Type 209 diesel/electric boat Tayrona. The crew that we encountered on all 3 warships were courteous and hospitable to say the least. Thanks to the Columbian lieutenant who ushered the 4 of us around his trim and squared away boat. Those Columbians know how to ride in style: There was a large Philips flat-panel HDTV mounted in the middle of the 8 torpedo tubes for the crew to watch (their bunks are sitting on top of the reloads) and a brand-new punching bag suspended right behind the search periscope, presumably removed during drills These are the pics we took, and yes, I have the stupidest grin on my face. For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it certainly shows... I especially want to give a warm thanks to CPO Veriha, without whom this weekend would not have been possible.

03-06-2007, 05:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
667medic *Military Professional* Join Date: 07-22-05 Posts: 1,515 Country:	Wish I were that lucky __________________ Seek Save Serve Medic

03-06-2007, 05:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 27,232 Country:	You seem to be a seafaring man! Must have been a pirate sailing the Maine in some previous life. I presume all that can be explained to you by THL. __________________ "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination." I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to. HAKUNA MATATA

03-06-2007, 17:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
highsea *Defense Professional* Join Date: 12-10-04 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,530	Nice pics, TH. Did they put that MOB pole there for you? __________________ My baby called me up. She said- Why don't you ever take me out? Pick me up in your brand new car....You shake the short change from the old fruit jar...

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03-05-2007, 23:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
texasjohn *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 07-28-06 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 1,024 Country:	3 Warships in ONE weekend? some people have all the luck! Do post more pics if you can!

03-06-2007, 09:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
TopHatter Administrator Join Date: 09-03-03 Location: Fort Myers FL Posts: 9,822 Country:	Here's a shot on the Hue City, plus one of the ship itself from navsource.org

03-06-2007, 14:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Debbie WAB Cautioner of Poo *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 11-20-06 Location: BOONEYVILLE Wisconsin Posts: 3,861 Country:	I'm sure all of us can't wait until you are able to post more pictures

03-06-2007, 22:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
TopHatter Administrator Join Date: 09-03-03 Location: Fort Myers FL Posts: 9,822 Country:	OK, one last goofy smile picture

03-06-2007, 22:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
Debbie WAB Cautioner of Poo *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 11-20-06 Location: BOONEYVILLE Wisconsin Posts: 3,861 Country:	Nothing goofy about a smile when the man behind it is enjoying himself

03-06-2007, 22:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
Parihaka Moderator Join Date: 11-10-04 Location: Te Ika a Maui Posts: 9,729 Country:	Talk about a kid in a candystore Any good souvenirs? Apart from the memories of course

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