Why a broom on a real sub?

[BaronVonSchnitzel]

This weekend my wife and I went to San Francisco for a getaway. We toured the USS Pampanito, a WWII American Baloa class sub docked at Fisherman's wharf.

(The web page is http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm).

Here's my question: I noticed an inverted broom mounted high on the conning tower. What is the significance of this? :hmm:

I'll bet it's an interesting story whatever it is.

Thanks as always for your expertise, folks.


Edit: Actually...just checking out the web site...there's a lot of cool stuff there, including a WWII sub training manual!