DON'T LET AN OLD FRIEND DIE
"And many an eye has dance
to see
That banner in the sky;
Beneath it rang the battle shout,
And burst the cannon's roar ;
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more."
From "Old Ironsides" by
Oliver Wendell Holmes
More than once in our nation's history Americans have risen up to
save a cherished patriot and now,
once more comes a call to arms to save another old friend. This friend
is a submarine. To some she is more
than a friend, she is a sweetheart. To others she may be a mother figure.
Whatever she may be, she now
lies moored to the dock in Baltimore, Maryland, no more than a museum for
the school children of America.
And she is in critical condition. If she were human, she would be classified
as being in a "vegetative state".
She was christened "Torsk" on September 6, 1944 and immediately
went to war. She has the distinction of sinking the last enemy ship of
World War II. After the surrender of Japan she served as a training ship,
made several goodwill cruises around the world, participated in the blockade
of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and was also a part of a strong
deterrent force during the Cold War. She was forced into retirement in
1971, just a few months past her 27th birthday.
Various segments of the population have undertaken the momentous task of
reviving the grand old lady just as another generation did when Old Ironsides
needed assistance. One group is busy trying to maintain her outward appearance
in order to halt the ravages of rust and time. Another group is planning
to revitalize her engines, those giant 10-cylinder Diesels that could generate
1,200 horsepower required to supply the electric power to her batteries
and electric motors. There are four engines to rehabilitate but their goal
is slightly more modest. Their primary target is one engine. After their
primary goal is accomplished they plan to forge ahead with the remainder.
This group is made up of several retired submariners who have taken on
the task of providing cardiac resuscitation on their beloved friend. They
are undertaking the job for no compensation other than the sense of well-being
and the desire to save an old friend who now lies in a coma in Baltimore.
But they need your help. They need parts, materials, solvents, oils; they
need expertise from those who are knowledgeable about Fairbanks-Morse 10-cylinder
Diesel engines of 1944 vintage; they need people who are willing to donate
money, time, effort, and various skills such as the ability to write letters
to persons of influence, to Congressmen, to business men and women, to
local officials, to historical organizations, etc.
THEY NEED YOU. PLEASE
HELP IN ANY WAY YOU CAN.
DON'T LET AN OLD FRIEND DIE!
USS TORSK (SS-423)

For more information and to offer your services in
this project call
Michael Wheeler
Phone (703) 830-6010
E-Mail gormshuil@aol.com
12107 GARY HILL DR
FAIRFAX, VA 22030
Or Join
T.E.S.S.
The formation of the group is to
serve one function, one goal:
To get an engine(s) on the USS Torsk SS 423 running.
Gilbert Bohannon, Jr's Torsk SS423
Home Page
(Includes more info & the 1998 Work Party Pictures)