Awful visit to the Pampanito

razark · 05-07-10, 04:47 PM

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.

05-07-10, 04:47 PM	#1
razark Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,731 Downloads: 393 Uploads: 12	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. __________________ "Never ask a World War II history buff for a 'final solution' to your problem!" Last edited by razark; 05-09-10 at 12:05 AM.