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odjig292 · 11-27-07, 10:29 PM

I was on the USS Nautilus (SS-168) originally V-6, in August 1943 while it was on its way from the Attu campaign to Mare Island. It was in Esquimalt and was tied up next to my father's ship that had also been at Attu. He had welcomed them on board the "wet" officers wardroom, and after several rounds they wanted to return the hospitality, so I had lunch with the Captain and officers. They served ham and pineaplple - a real treat because meat was rationed during the war and civilians never saw pineapple. The ship was spotless and dry. The crew were really great.

I was also on the U-889 in June 1945. It had surrendered off Halifax at the end of the war. My father took me with him when he visited it. It was still much the way the German crew had left it. The smell, dampness and the filth was overwhelming. The contrast between the Nautilus and the U-889 was like night and day. How anyone could live for six or seven weeks under those conditions is still a mystery to me. Going through the U-505 does not compare. It's been cleaned up.

Thanks for listing where all the subs are. Some day I'm going touring and see more of them. I was disappointed there isn't more of the XXI open in Wilhelmshaven.

11-27-07, 10:29 PM	#13
odjig292 Mate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 55 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I was on the USS Nautilus (SS-168) originally V-6, in August 1943 while it was on its way from the Attu campaign to Mare Island. It was in Esquimalt and was tied up next to my father's ship that had also been at Attu. He had welcomed them on board the "wet" officers wardroom, and after several rounds they wanted to return the hospitality, so I had lunch with the Captain and officers. They served ham and pineaplple - a real treat because meat was rationed during the war and civilians never saw pineapple. The ship was spotless and dry. The crew were really great. I was also on the U-889 in June 1945. It had surrendered off Halifax at the end of the war. My father took me with him when he visited it. It was still much the way the German crew had left it. The smell, dampness and the filth was overwhelming. The contrast between the Nautilus and the U-889 was like night and day. How anyone could live for six or seven weeks under those conditions is still a mystery to me. Going through the U-505 does not compare. It's been cleaned up. Thanks for listing where all the subs are. Some day I'm going touring and see more of them. I was disappointed there isn't more of the XXI open in Wilhelmshaven.