Becuna: SS-319

Enigma · 05-20-06, 05:41 PM

I took a drive up the Philadelphia this afternoon to take a look at the Becuna. From its web site...:

Launched in 1944, Submarine Becuna (SS-319) completed five wartime patrols in the Pacific Ocean. Becuna is similar to many submarines built in Philadelphia for the US Navy.

Becuna is a BALAO-class submarine built in New London, CT. During World War II, "Becky" prowled the Pacific for Japanese ships, and is credited with sinking 3.5 Japanese merchant ships. Click here to read more about Becuna's wartime patrols. Modernized in 1951, it is the only Guppy 1-A submarine on display. Becuna's Cold War missions often found her in the Atlantic, trailing Soviet submarines with eavesdropping equipment aboard.

Becuna was decommissioned in 1969 and has been part of Independence Seaport Museum's Historic Ship Zone since 1996.

Theres some good reading here about her patrol history:

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...2/bechist.html

My personal input is that the boat is an astounding sight. Its really difficult when standing beside such a boat to imagine it submerged or surfacing, due to its sheer size, despite that its a small boat by modern standards. It certainly isnt in the best of shapes, but overall the boat looks ready to go. It was neat to inspect one of her Torps mounted beside the boat, along with both of her prop blades alongside. I just kinda stood there staring at it for a long time trying to imagine the men who sailed upon her, and the action she had seen. All in all, an amazing visit. I plan to go back soon on a day in which I can get onboard and have a look around....

Enigma · 05-20-06, 10:56 PM

Whoops, sorry this was supposed to be in "General discussion"...

My bad.

Perilscope · 05-20-06, 11:41 PM

Nice, this Becunaâ€¦. If I understood from the story I read, it nearly sank the Yamato, which would have been a nice prize.

TLAM Strike · 05-20-06, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perilscope

Nice, this Becunaâ€¦. If I understood from the story I read, it nearly sank the Yamato, which would have been a nice prize.

I think USS Skate SS-305 actually attacked and scored a few hits on the Yamato.

Excalibur Bane · 05-21-06, 12:12 AM

3.5 ships? How did it manage that? Half a ship was sailing around, was it and they torpedoed it? That must have been an interesting sight :P

Perilscope · 05-21-06, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perilscope

Nice, this Becunaâ€¦. If I understood from the story I read, it nearly sank the Yamato, which would have been a nice prize.

I think USS Skate SS-305 actually attacked and scored a few hits on the Yamato.

You are right, she made a daring attack and damaged the Yamato â€¦
However, what a sad ending for the SS-305, sunk by a nuke test. At least we can visit similar ones like the Becuna. :P

05-20-06, 05:41 PM	#1
Enigma The Old Man Join Date: May 2005 Location: At comms depth, obviously. Posts: 1,476 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Becuna: SS-319 I took a drive up the Philadelphia this afternoon to take a look at the Becuna. From its web site...: Launched in 1944, Submarine Becuna (SS-319) completed five wartime patrols in the Pacific Ocean. Becuna is similar to many submarines built in Philadelphia for the US Navy. Becuna is a BALAO-class submarine built in New London, CT. During World War II, "Becky" prowled the Pacific for Japanese ships, and is credited with sinking 3.5 Japanese merchant ships. Click here to read more about Becuna's wartime patrols. Modernized in 1951, it is the only Guppy 1-A submarine on display. Becuna's Cold War missions often found her in the Atlantic, trailing Soviet submarines with eavesdropping equipment aboard. Becuna was decommissioned in 1969 and has been part of Independence Seaport Museum's Historic Ship Zone since 1996. Theres some good reading here about her patrol history: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...2/bechist.html My personal input is that the boat is an astounding sight. Its really difficult when standing beside such a boat to imagine it submerged or surfacing, due to its sheer size, despite that its a small boat by modern standards. It certainly isnt in the best of shapes, but overall the boat looks ready to go. It was neat to inspect one of her Torps mounted beside the boat, along with both of her prop blades alongside. I just kinda stood there staring at it for a long time trying to imagine the men who sailed upon her, and the action she had seen. All in all, an amazing visit. I plan to go back soon on a day in which I can get onboard and have a look around.... __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain

05-20-06, 10:56 PM	#2
Enigma The Old Man Join Date: May 2005 Location: At comms depth, obviously. Posts: 1,476 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Whoops, sorry this was supposed to be in "General discussion"... My bad. __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain

05-21-06, 12:12 AM	#5
Excalibur Bane XO Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 429 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	3.5 ships? How did it manage that? Half a ship was sailing around, was it and they torpedoed it? That must have been an interesting sight :P __________________ Looking for a list of mods for SH4? Everything you need is here: List Of Modifications for SH4 v1.3 "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing."

05-20-06, 11:41 PM	#3
Perilscope Sonar Guy Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Montréal Posts: 399 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Nice, this Becunaâ€¦. If I understood from the story I read, it nearly sank the Yamato, which would have been a nice prize.