Awful visit to the Pampanito (Now with pictures)
 

My boss and I attended a conference in San Jose this week. On Wednesday, we decided that we were going to drive up and spend the day in San Francisco. I mentioned there was a WWII sub in town, and that item was added to the agenda. We eventually arrived, and proceeded to have an awful tour of the sub.

Of course, by "awful", I mean that it left me full of awe.

We started at the after torpedo room, and worked our way forward. The boss knew nothing of submarines, so I was pointing things out, and explaining what this was, what that was for, why there was an ice cream machine. We ended up in the control room, which was lit with red lights. That was unexpected, and really added to the sense of how small and cramped the boat really was. I was sorry to see that the conning tower was locked, because I had really wanted to get a look around there. In the control room, there was another tourist. I was showing the boss where things were, and the other guy started asking questions. One of the men working there walked through while I was explaining things. He stopped and asked if I was a sub sailor. I told him no, I just played one on the computer. We started talking and answering questions for the other tourist and my boss.

I asked if they ever opened up the conning tower, and the fellow, let's call him John, because that was his name, said that they did occasionally. He then said "Hold on a moment, let me go check something." He led us up on deck, and told us to wait a moment. He came back, and led us up the ladder, onto the bridge, and down into the conning tower. The three of us got a very personal tour of the conning tower, along with some great stories from a couple 1960s diesel boat sailors. I don't remember the second fellow's name, but he and John had served together over 40 years ago, and were very friendly, tolerating any questions we asked.

It was very interesting seeing the boat restored to her WWII configuration. I've visited the Cavalla several times, but she is in her converted state. Compared to the Pampanito, Cavalla looks quite roomy inside. I can't imagine being inside either one with a full crew for any length of time, though.

I'll try and get some pictures up here this weekend.

Great story! I was at the PAMPANITO a couple weeks back but it was so terribly crowded I didn't get to see as much as you did - very jealous you got up into the conning tower!

Can't wait to see your photos. :D

It was the early afternoon on a weekday. There were maybe two or three other people I saw on the boat while we were there. We did kind of rush through the officers' quarters and forward torpedo room, but the visit into the conning tower was worth it.

I'll get the pictures up tomorrow, probably. I had a late flight back last night, and an early morning today, and I really just don't feel like messing with it right now. :yawn:

Wow! That must have been exciting!

Kind of reminds me of my visit to the USS Albacore (AGSS 569) when I was a kid. I have been fascinated by submarines ever since that day! My dad took me. He was first interested in submarines when he was brought on board an old diesel (I can't remember the name) in Halifax when he was a kid.

I can't wait to see your pics! I hope you took a bunch of the gauges!:up:

Outstanding. I'm going to be seeing her at the end of this month. Also sailing on the Jeremiah O'Brien's Memorial Day cruise. Can't wait!

Take me with you! Please! This Houston weather is horrid compared to San Francisco. We could feel the humidity as soon as the plane landed.

I was surprised to find out the Jeremiah O'Brien was still a seaworthy vessel. I didn't take the tour; I figured I was boring my boss enough already, and that's probably not the best idea.

Here's some photos. It seems they didn't all come out so well.

Approaching the boat:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/251...francisco0.jpg

Looking forward at the conning tower:
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2...francisco0.jpg
(Note the flag is at half mast. John later told me that the gentleman responsible for repairing the TDC recently passed away.)

Tube number 8, with Japanese flag:
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/2...francisco0.jpg

The forward engine room:
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2...francisco0.jpg

Control room, aft:
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2...francisco0.jpg

Control room, forward:
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/2...francisco0.jpg

Departing the boat, with a view of John:
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/2...francisco0.jpg

View from the bridge:
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/2...francisco0.jpg

The hatch into the conning tower:
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/251...francisco0.jpg

In the conning tower, looking aft. John is on the left, the boss on the right:
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/251...francisco0.jpg

The alarm switches on the forward bulkhead:
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/2...francisco0.jpg

Radar station:
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/2...francisco0.jpg

The sonar station:
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/251...francisco0.jpg
I had another picture of this, showing the top, but it didn't come out. There was a telegraph key mounted on the top, above the center "Indicator". Anyone know what this might have been for?

Some views of the TDC:
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/1...rancisco0l.jpg

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2...francisco0.jpg

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/2...francisco0.jpg

And that's the good photos from the tour. I'll have to check with the boss on Monday. He may have some video.

nice! I Really like the Bridge pic! :up:

Great stuff! Thank you.

Wow! :D

To see one of these fleet boats would be awesome! I see what you meant by "awe". I'll have to take a trip down there some day! I expected to see it up on land, amazing she still floats.:o

Do they let you "Mann the AA gun" heh heh

Actually, do the periscopes still work?

I'm used to the Cavalla down in Galveston. She's permanently buried in the ground. Feeling Pampanito rolling on the waves was an odd sensation.

Couldn't say. Both periscopes were lowered, so I couldn't look through. I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

One thing that disappoints me is how much plexi-glass they have. A lot of controls are behind plexi-glass, and most of the smaller rooms (galley, officers' quarters) were blocked off. Made it hard to get good pictures. The conning tower didn't have any, though.

My guess is they haven't been lubricated in so many years. Probably seized up by now.

Yes, that would drive me nuts also! A true fanatic of the old subs! :doh:

Plexiglass
 

Yeah, the plexiglass panels would kinda dampen the experience but I'm sure the sub staff have had to do that due to either safety or "sticky fingers" reasons.

It only takes one numpty with a magic marker trying to impress his girlfriend to ruin it for everyone else. Or some clown who figures "eh, noone will notice if I take this little piece as a souvenir".

I've visited numerous historical spots in Europe and elsewhere and I'm constantly stunned by the amount of graffiti (paint, ink and/or carved) one can find in the weirdest places in or on a historical place/item. It's sad but unfortunately there are many selfish, pathetic neanderthals who don't think about the consequences of doing something like that.

Great post and some awesome pictures! Thank you! :yeah:

I'm hoping to take a trip this Summer/Fall to Mobile, AL and see the USS Alabama and USS Drum.