Sorry has been a long weekend here on the East Coast of the US. We got hit by one heck of a storm so I was unable to give you a heads up on the progress.
Well just so you guys dont think that I dropped the ball or forgot here is a copy of the email I sent to the Torsk Voulnteer group. This is the group that runs the museum and keeps the Torsk floating.
When i get a responce I will be sure to let you guys know. Hopefully we can get enough people interested that we would have the boat to ourselves.
I would say the best time for the trip would be in summer. First lets see what they say.
-----------------------------------------------
Hello my name is William Stapleford and I'm part of a large community of submarine enthusiast. Recently I purchased the simulation released by UBI Soft called Silent Hunter 4. Silent Hunter 4 is based on the US involvement in the Pacific Theatre of World War 2. The simulation supports various versions and models of the US submarines. I have found myself very interested in learning as much as possible now about the men who served on these massive vessels. I have also been writing in several online forums to find out how many other people share this interest. I have found that there is a very large following all over the United States and also the world.
I was once onboard the USS Torsk when I was little and before i was able to really appreciate it. I know that thousands of people each day probably walk the cold steel deck of the ship and take it completely for granted. Its a sad thought to me, as I'm sure it is to everyone who served on her. The people that I have asked are totally the opposite. We are looking to learn, not only from the physical details of the Torsk but also from the men and women who served on her. I know that each passing day we lose the memory and experience of the men that served in World War 2. I find this a very sad thought and hope to be able to learn from them before it is too late. I'm sure the people that have shown interest in the forums feel the same way. We want to be able to get history right before the media rewrites it.
I was wondering if there is a way to set up a special tour for several people that are World War 2 enthusiast, particularly submarines and the men who served on them. If it is also possible maybe to talk to some of the men who served on the Torsk as well. We could then see and understand the REAL story behind the men who risked and gave their lives for us. I'm also currently writing a story "fictional" of course but the ideas that I could learn would really help.
I know this may sound like an odd request, and I can honestly say that I never thought I would write a request to learn something after graduating school; however, I feel that by passing the information on to others we could very well preserve the memory of those men. The younger generation including mine takes everything for granted.
I also have no problem in volunteering to help with your website if it were ever needed. It is the least I can do and something that actually can use my talent. The men and the women that may be interested in attending this tour may also have something they could do to help. I'm hoping to be able to see every nook and cranny of the Torsk and I'm sure from their the questions will flow from anyone that is in the group.
By taking a good look at the submarine, hopefully we can correct some of the historical flaws in the simulator as well and pass it along to the community. This, of course is the last thing we are actually interested in but it is something that (small) that we can pass on to the community. I would even be willing to lend a hand in helping keep the Torsk in "ship shape" when possible.
My grandfather served on the DE-181 and he is full of stories and until now I never gave him the time of day. His stories are awe inspiring at times and i hope to be able to keep the memories and stories he has told me and pass them on to my children in time.
I thank you for taking the time to read this email and again ask that you consider the request. If this is a possibility please let me know. If this is not a possibility that is fine as well. Any information that you can give me to pass on to the submarine community (forums) would be a huge help. After receiving price information and availability, I would then be able to provide a total number for the group and a possible date on the visit.
No matter what, I just want to let you know that, you guys have done a great job at keeping history alive. I hope you can continue to do this for as long as the Torsk will stay afloat. She is a beauty from the photos on the website and from what i remember.
Keep up the great work and
God bless
Sincerely
William Stapleford (Submarine Enthusiast)
Bstapleford@msn.com
-----------------------------------------------
This was sent today shortly before i posted on this website. I will let you know anything else i find out.
This has already by posted on the UBI SH4 General Forum but i wanted the good people here to have a chance as well. I need as many people as possible.
:p
William
Captain
U-66