U.S.S. Batfish-Muskogee Oklahoma (Pic Heavy)

[Rugbyshark]

I was raised by my grandfather (Pete Morreale) who was on the USS Batfish during her 6th and 7th patrol (yes that is right the 3 enemy sub sinking record patrols I state proudly). He passed away about 6 years ago but I cherish the thousands of stories he shared with me about the USS Batfish. For years we had a tattered American flag that flew above the ship at our house my grandfather donated to the Batfish museum, I still have the photos of him at the museum during the ceremony. The guys at the park have done a great job and I am taking my wife and 4 boys up this summer to see her.

Richard Morreale

[eers75]

Very nice pics and thank you for posting them. Ive been to the Torsk museum in Baltimore but it was before I appreciated the subs of ww2.

[Fish40]

Great pics! It's a shame she had to be buried half in the ground though. I'm going to make it a point to go to the USS Ling in NJ this Summer. It's a measley 1/2 hour drive from where I am in NY. I was already at the USS Intrepid museum (a couple of times), and the Sub Base in Groton, Ct. The Uss Nautilus is there Also great trips!

[sharkbit]

Originally Posted by eers75

Very nice pics and thank you for posting them. Ive been to the Torsk museum in Baltimore but it was before I appreciated the subs of ww2.

Check out this thread:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...ighlight=torsk

@ Rugbyshark:
Nice story about your grandfather to resurrect this thread.

[Platapus]

"we're in shallow water sir!"

Awesome pictures.

Any chance another forum could be made so that threads of pictures like this can be grouped together?

[eers75]

Originally Posted by sharkbit

Check out this thread:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...ighlight=torsk

Thank you for that link, awesome pics as well. I read some war patrols on the Torsk and apparently only one life was lost on a training mission where they left the poor guy topside on a dive. Torsk fired the last torpedo of ww2 interesting read there too.

Originally Posted by Platapus

"we're in shallow water sir!"

Awesome pictures.

Any chance another forum could be made so that threads of pictures like this can be grouped together?

I think this is a great idea if it isnt already in place but I dont remember seeing any sticky or thread on this subject.

[CDR Resser]

I drive past the Batfish twice a day, on my way to and from work. Have visited the volunteer site several times. Need to get off my duff and do something more than visit the site. Looks like some painting has taken place since your visit, as the hull is now black.
The Batfish was brought to Muskogee up the Arkansas River and the park is about a 100 yards from the river. It was floated into the "bowl" and a berm was built up and the water drained. Lots of work going on in the area, but not sure if it is related to the park.

Respectfully Submitted;
CDR Resser
Wrote this before reading several of the other posts, sorry for the repeats.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by eers75

Very nice pics and thank you for posting them. Ive been to the Torsk museum in Baltimore but it was before I appreciated the subs of ww2.

She is still there with fresh paint and repairs. The interior is being restored by the TVA. Come on by and see her again.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Rugbyshark

I was raised by my grandfather (Pete Morreale) who was on the USS Batfish during her 6th and 7th patrol (yes that is right the 3 enemy sub sinking record patrols I state proudly). He passed away about 6 years ago but I cherish the thousands of stories he shared with me about the USS Batfish. For years we had a tattered American flag that flew above the ship at our house my grandfather donated to the Batfish museum, I still have the photos of him at the museum during the ceremony. The guys at the park have done a great job and I am taking my wife and 4 boys up this summer to see her.

Richard Morreale

It is awesome that your grandfather could share this experience with you. It is even better he was able to return the tattered flag that flew over the boat! The Torsk has her WWII flag mounted and framed. The flag is in the aft torpedo room of the Torsk.

[Anthony W.]

Originally Posted by FADM Gryphon

Thanks for sharing the pictures skipper. Just wish the old girl could be seaworthy again.

A 1958 law restricts any decommissioned US Navy vessel from moving under its own power.

Learned that while researching the USS Requin and Bowfin. Really saddened me, considering the hulls of the Requin and Bowfin are in pretty good shape.

I love those pictures. If I ever had the time and gas money, I'd take a detailed pictorial diary of all the panels and gauges, then set to work adding the proper labels and textures to the sub interior

Oh - and - that open torpedo tube - I'd sooo be crawling in it, haha

Maybe I'll try to get somewhere like that next spring break, or maybe this summer.

Oh - I think somebody should have a shelter built over the poor old girl... Does my heart sad to see her like that... And I'd put glass over anything breakable to keep people from snapping switches, ect. I climbed in an F-100 Super Saber cockpit and barely anything worked in it. I'm assuming its the same with subs?

And does anyone know how I might go about volunteering to work on the restoration/upkeep of one of the surviving subs?

Well anyhow, thanks for the great pics

[sharkbit]

Originally Posted by Anthony W.

Oh - and - that open torpedo tube - I'd sooo be crawling in it, haha

I don't know about that. Some of the people I talked to there mentioned finding wasp nests many times under the decking. I'd bet there'd be one or two in those tubes as well.

As far as volunteering, check out the various museum boat websites. I bet they have contact information or volunteer information.
Try this site:
http://www.hnsa.org/location.htm#Oklahoma

Lists all the various museum sites around the world with links to there websites in most cases.

[Overkill]

Great pictures, sir! Thank you very much for posting them.

[Anthony W.]

Originally Posted by Anthony W.

A 1958 law restricts any decommissioned US Navy vessel from moving under its own power.

Learned that while researching the USS Requin and Bowfin. Really saddened me, considering the hulls of the Requin and Bowfin are in pretty good shape.

I love those pictures. If I ever had the time and gas money, I'd take a detailed pictorial diary of all the panels and gauges, then set to work adding the proper labels and textures to the sub interior

Oh - and - that open torpedo tube - I'd sooo be crawling in it, haha

Maybe I'll try to get somewhere like that next spring break, or maybe this summer.

Oh - I think somebody should have a shelter built over the poor old girl... Does my heart sad to see her like that... And I'd put glass over anything breakable to keep people from snapping switches, ect. I climbed in an F-100 Super Saber cockpit and barely anything worked in it. I'm assuming its the same with subs?

And does anyone know how I might go about volunteering to work on the restoration/upkeep of one of the surviving subs?

Well anyhow, thanks for the great pics

Itd be hard to imagine much for a wasp nest to hang onto there - but that is a good point