Since 07-06-02
USS Sea Leopard
Since 07-06-02
In June 1948, E.C. (Spud) Lindon, USNA Class of 1939 and I reported aboard the Sea Leopard (SS483) with Spud as the CO and I as the XO in Key West, Florida. Within a few weeks of our reporting, we took the boat to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a major conversion to a "GUPPY" configuration. This alteration included streamlining the hull, installing a snorkeling system, and other major repairs.
While at Pier D for six or eight months we took advantage of innumerable schools for both officers and crew. I attended Perspective Commanding Officer course in New London, and we sent four or six electrician strikers to Class A Electrician School. When we completed the overhaul, three of strikers were promoted to 3rd Class Electrician.
After the overhaul, we took the boat to Squadron Six, Norfolk Virginia. At that time, we were the only GUPPY in Norfolk. I am firmly convinced that we were overworked. For several months, we started out with getting underway on Monday morning at 05 or 0600 to arrive at a position to oppose the sortie of a carrier group departing Norfolk. After opposing the sortie, we would proceed to an operating area to render ASW services for the destroyers in the afternoon. After dinner, we would make screen penetrations of the Carrier Task Force until 23 or 2400. Most of our week consisted of five-days plus a conference on Saturday morning.
The Sea Leopard participated in 1949 PORTREX exercises off the Southern coast of Puerto Rico. I believe this was, and has been the largest number of ships, marines, soldiers, etc. which has participated in a peacetime exercise. This group of mixed forces was to practice a primary task of warfare, which is to bombard and otherwise prepare the landing area, and then make the landing. The Sea Leopard and another submarine with COMSUBLANT aboard were assigned to attack the landing forces.
From 1300 to about 2100 we snorkeled near the shoreline and remained undetected by any of the task forces' surface or ASW aircraft. About 2100 we began our penetration through two or three screens of destroyers, etc., and arrived undetected at the landing force. We simulated firing 24 or 28 torpedoes, shooting a green flare after each firing. The other submarine was also successful in completing several simulated attacks. After the exercise was over, we surfaced near the force flagship, USS Missouri (BB63), and COMSUBLANT broke off his flag.
The Sea Leopard departed undetected and we received a message - "Well done. Return to San Juan". We were the last boat to arrive in port. Five submarines were moored at the dock, astern the ASR which had COMSUBLANT aboard. We moored alongside the last boat in the nest, which made us the boat nearest the mouth of the harbor.
The officers and crew had bragging rights due to our resounding success. The Hilton had just opened with a casino, and I had to tryout the crap table. I lost all of my money and had to borrow taxi fare from the Duty Officer when I got back to the boat.
About 0100, I heard the Captain passing orders for "Emergency Underway" over the 1-MC. I arrived on the bridge in about one-minute. Maneuvering reported "Ready to Get Underway on Batteries", so we took in the brow, cast off all lines, and backed out after sounding a long blast on the whistle.
About this time, Spud told me that he and our officers had met a group of civilians who were guests of the Secretary of Defense. They had been guests of the Army for a few days before becoming guests of the Navy. The dignitaries complained that the Army had served them drinks but the Navy had not.
When they asked Spud who he was, he replied that he was the "Skipper of a Sub". They said that they did not believe he could get his boat underway. Spud answered, "If I had permission, I could get in underway in five-minutes". They replied that's no excuse "if I had permission". Duly challenged, Spud said "Come on with us to the boat and I will show you that we can get underway in five-minutes". They all got into taxies and drove to the boat.
After we backed out, Spud yelled to our guests, "Do you believe we can get underway, and do you want us to dive?" In a loud, unison voice, they replied, "You have convinced us."
Later the cooks broke out steak and eggs, and all of us had a great meal. When those civilians departed, they were thoroughly convinced that the Navy, and especially the Submarine Force was ready, willing, and able. In 1949, the Sea Leopard won the "E" for the Atlantic Fleet. It was a great boat with an outstanding crew.