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BUSINESS PLAN TO SAVE
AND RELOCATE THE USS
CLAMAGORE SS-343
CLAMAGORE RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION

A plan to relocate the CLAMAGORE SS-343 submarine from Patriot’s Point, Mount Pleasant, South
Carolina to a land berth communal with the CSS HUNLEY museum in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 1
MISSION STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................... 1
ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................ 1
GROWTH HIGHLIGHTS .............................................................................................................................. 1
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS.......................................................................................... 1
ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................. 2
ORGANIZATION MOTIVATION .................................................................................................................. 2
ORGANIZATION FUNDING ........................................................................................................................ 2
ORGANIZATIONAL NEED ........................................................................................................................... 2
PRODUCT AND SERVICES .............................................................................................................................. 3
PRODUCT .................................................................................................................................................. 3
SERVICES ................................................................................................................................................... 3
PRODUCT AND SERVICE MODEL ............................................................................................................... 3
PRODUCT AND SERVICE SHIP STORE ........................................................................................................ 3
COMMUNITY BENEFIT FROM PRODUCT AND SERVICE ............................................................................ 3
OPERATIONAL PLAN...................................................................................................................................... 4
USS CLAMAGORE RELOCATION ................................................................................................................ 4
IMMEDIATE ORGANIZATIONAL ACTION ................................................................................................... 4
SUBMARINE PREPARATION FOR RELOCATION ......................................................................................... 5
KEY ORGANIZATONAL MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLE.................................................................................... 5
LOGISTICS OF DAILY OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................ 5
SHORT-TERM PLAN OF ACTION .................................................................................................................... 6
GAIN POLITICAL SUPPORT ........................................................................................................................ 6
ACHIEVE IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS................................................................................... 6
LONG-TERM PLAN OF ACTION ...................................................................................................................... 6
SALVAGE AND SALE................................................................................................................................... 6
LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE ..................................................................................................................... 7
POWER AND UTILITIES .............................................................................................................................. 7
SUBMARINE SECURITY .............................................................................................................................. 7
INVEST IN SHIP’S STORE INVENTORY ........................................................................................................ 7
MARKET THE CLAMAGORE ....................................................................................................................... 8
1

ADVERTISE CLAMAGORE’s NEW LOCATION ............................................................................................. 8
COMPONENT ADVERTISING...................................................................................................................... 8
USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 RESTORATION AND RELOCATION BENEFITS ........................................................ 8
CLAMAGORE THE SCHOOLHOUSE ............................................................................................................ 8
CLAMAGORE THE SCHOOLHOUSE II ......................................................................................................... 9
CLAMAGORE/HUNLEY A WINNING COMBO FOR NORTH CHARLESTON ................................................ 10
UNEXPECTED BENEFIT ............................................................................................................................ 10
CRAMA’s ADVANTAGES .............................................................................................................................. 10
CRAMA EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP .................................................................................................. 10
CRAMA LOCATION .................................................................................................................................. 11
STABLE LEADERSHIP ................................................................................................................................ 11
KNOWLEDGEABLE LEADERSHIP .............................................................................................................. 11
CRAMA’s DISADVANTAGES ......................................................................................................................... 11
POLITICAL INFLUENCE ............................................................................................................................. 11
FUNDING SHORTFALL ............................................................................................................................. 11
LACK OF FUND RAISING EXPERIENCE ..................................................................................................... 12
LACK OF MARKETING EXPERIENCE ......................................................................................................... 12
FINANCIAL PLANS........................................................................................................................................ 12
CURRENT FINANCIAL PLAN ..................................................................................................................... 12
FUTURE FINANCIAL PLAN........................................................................................................................ 13
THE MOVING PLAN ..................................................................................................................................... 13
CRAMA’s MOVING PLAN MODEL IS BASED ON THE PROVEN USS DRUM MOVE – ................................ 13
III The USS MARLIN SST 2 Story .............................................................................................................. 17
ENGINEERING DESIGN APPROACH ............................................................................................................. 17
LESSONS LEARNED FROM USS DRUM SS 228’s MOVE ............................................................................... 18
CRAMA NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CHART ............................................................................................. 20
Board of Directors Resumes ................................................................................................................... 20
FINANCIAL PLANS........................................................................................................................................ 23
CURRENT FINANCIAL PLAN ..................................................................................................................... 23
FUTURE FINANCIAL PLAN............................................................................................................................ 24
APPENDIX .................................................................................................................................................... 25
HISTORY OF THE USS CLAMAGORE......................................................................................................... 26
2

Patriots Point Budget Summary 2012-2013 ........................................................................................... 31
CSS HUNLEY/USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 MUSEUM............................................................................... 32
The USS BATFISH SS/AGSS 310 Story ...................................................................................................... 36
LISTING OF UNITED STATES SUBMARINE MEMORIALS .......................................................................... 42
Successful Land Based Submarine Memorials ........................................................................................ 42
I THE ALBACOR AGSS 569 RELOCATION AND RESTORATION STORY ...................................................... 43
The Move ............................................................................................................................................ 44
Ship and Site Preparations .................................................................................................................. 46
Off to a Good Start, But.... .................................................................................................................. 48
Plan B? ................................................................................................................................................ 49
The Last Move ..................................................................................................................................... 50
Getting Ready for Visitors ................................................................................................................... 51
Today................................................................................................................................................... 52

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
MISSION STATEMENT – To save, relocate and restore the USS CLAMAGORE SS
343. To relocate submarine from Patriot’s Point, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
to a land berth communal with the CSS HUNLEY museum in North Charleston,
South Carolina. And to preserve the last of her kind of World War II submarine
to a condition suitable to serve as a submarine museum and memorial for
future generations.
ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION – The CLAMAGORE Restoration and

Maintenance Association (CRAMA) is a 501.c (3) dedicated to saving the USS
CLAMAGORE SS 343, a national historic site (June, 1989), from destruction. The
organization is located in North Charleston, South Carolina. The organization
wishes to maintain the submarine as a museum where visitors can experience
life onboard a WWII submarine. CRAMA is connected directly to local
organizations: United States Submarine Veterans, Inc., World War II Submarine
Veterans, Fleet Reserve Association, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign
Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Charleston Shipyard retirees and other
professional organizations with similar interest.
GROWTH HIGHLIGHTS – Over $35,000 have been collected to ‘SAVE THE

CLAMAGORE’. CRAMA is currently working with other individuals and groups to
continue fund raising. There are thousands of interested citizens in the tricounty area willing to get this goal achieved. Until a land site is identified,
CRAMA is not raising any additional funds.
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS – CRAMA envisions a land locked

USS CLAMAGORE complementing the park where CSS HUNLEY will be displayed.
All that is required is an acre of land where the CLAMAGORE will be placed
ashore for display. The organization requires political coordination in obtaining
this land allocation. Moving the submarine and getting her ashore is estimated
to be between one and two million dollars.

ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION – CRAMA members are experienced

submariners with thousands of man-years spent in submarines, submarine
tenders, shipyards, intermediate maintenance units, submarine overhaul and
test teams. With sufficient funds CRAMA is independently capable of
supervising the move, restoration, and maintenance of the USS CLAMAGORE.
ORGANIZATION MOTIVATION – CRAMA is motivated to save the USS

CLAMAGORE SS 343, the last diesel submarine of her kind from World War II, as
a museum for future generations. Without USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 a piece of
history will be lost and citizens will no longer see evidence of a Cold War
submarine designed to transition submarine strategies from diesel power to
nuclear power. CLAMAGORE is the last and only remaining GUPPY III submarine.
See Appendix. CRAMA strongly believes USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 should be
preserved as a memorial to all those submariners who served during WW II, the
Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War and when collocated with the
CSS HUNLEY, the Civil War. The public will have two submarines to tour, each
unique, each one-of-her kind submarine.
ORGANIZATION FUNDING – CRAMA intends to support this mission financially

through donations from individuals, organizations, veteran groups; and through
historical preservation grants. Other sources of income not yet identified will be
approached for donations. CRAMA’s model for fund raising will be based on the
model that was used to get the Cold War Memorial built in Mount Pleasant,
South Carolina. Also, federal grants will be sought for restoration and
maintenance of a National Historic Site.
ORGANIZATIONAL NEED – The most pressing requirement other than funding is

finding a suitable site and obtaining signed agreement to provide the space
needed to berth CLAMAGORE ashore.

PRODUCT AND SERVICES
PRODUCT – CRAMA’s product will be a restored, land-locked, fully maintained
GUPPY III Class WW II submarine.
SERVICES – CRAMA will provide all the restoration, maintenance, customer

services, logistics, docents, technical support and all like services in the
maintenance of a land-locked submarine museum.
PRODUCT AND SERVICE MODEL – CRAMA will construct their product and

services model after the one successfully used by Mobile, Alabama to bring
together the USS DRUM SS 228 /USS ALABAMA BB 60 into a single park. See
Appendix. CRAMA’s model will be designed to increase the attendance and
enhance the financial gain of the CSS HUNLEY museum. The USS CLAMAGORE
SS 343 is a favorite tour site for visitors to Patriots’ Point. CRAMA predicts an
increase in park attendance, once CLAMAGORE is paired with HUNLEY. Each
vessel represents a one-of-a-kind submarine, both consisting of top-notch
technology for her time of service.
PRODUCT AND SERVICE SHIP STORE – CRAMA envisions a ship store similar to

those found at Patriots’ Point and the current CSS HUNLEY’s restoration site.
Revenue received from sales of CLAMAGORE items will be used to off-set
operating cost. It is believed that sales synergy would be obtained if each store
were housed together.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT FROM PRODUCT AND SERVICE - CRAMA’s plans call for

long-term community participation, including the boy scouts and girl scouts.
CRAMA will hold free cookouts, supervised overnights for small groups like the
USS YORKTOWN’s program. This would provide additional recognition for North
Charleston’s commitment to military veterans and memorials. Submarine
reunions, national, local, Southeastern conventions will be encouraged to
include HUNLEY Park in their planning and to stay in North Charleston resulting
in increased tourist dollars.

OPERATIONAL PLAN
USS CLAMAGORE RELOCATION – CRAMA’s operational plan meets two
significant goals: 1) It meets Patriots’ Point long-term plan to eliminate the USS
CLAMAGORE SS 343 as a historical component of its business operation, and 2)
Provides the United States Navy, owner of the submarine, with a significantly
improved option over Patriots’ Point plan to reef the USS CLAMAGORE SS 343.
CRAMA’s operational plan includes elements to fill all the current short comings
CLAMAGORE has endured over the past several years while docked at Patriots’
Point; zero maintenance, no maintenance funds, limited volunteer maintenance
service, advertising neglect, and lack of submarine knowledgeable leadership.
Lack of leadership educated in submarines at Patriots’ Point has contributed to
a general loss of interest in the preservation of the USS CLAMAGORE SS 343.
CRAMA’s organization will provide a fully experienced Executive Director
qualified in all aspects of submarine history, operations, and maintenance.
CRAMA is composed of dedicated submariners, officer and enlisted, motivated
to save the CLAMAGORE. CRAMA members will be the service volunteers for
the submarine at its new location.
IMMEDIATE ORGANIZATIONAL ACTION – CRAMA’s first ‘GO, NO GO’ action is

to obtain the needed land site for CLAMAGORE. CRAMA’s leadership will
present their plan to the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina and to the City
of North Charleston’s leadership requesting land at the site where CSS HUNLEY
is to be displayed for tourist. CRAMA’s request from North Charleston is for
approximately one acre of land space to bring CLAMAGORE ashore. By landlocking the submarine, future hull maintenance requirements will be minimized.
CRAMA will provide all future hull maintenance requirements as they do today
for the torpedo boat DAVID housed ashore in Moncks Corner, South Carolina.
DAVID is an annual maintenance task for members associated with and a part of
CRAMA. The City of Moncks Corner proudly displays the boat and CRAMA is
proud to be apart.

SUBMARINE PREPARATION FOR RELOCATION – Once a definite land site is

identified and approved, USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 will be prepared for her move
up river. One of the first actions to complete is to call for competitive bids to
purchase and remove the submarines’ 504 lead-acid batteries. Each of the
batteries weighs more than 1000 pounds. Using 2013 U.S. scrap price of
approximately $0.50 per pound for scrape lead, generated gross income could
exceed $500,000. This evolution would also reduce the surface weight of
CLAMAGORE by about half a million pounds. Being very much lighter, the
submarine will be easier to get ashore resulting in less relocation cost. The
additional benefit is eliminating any environmental issues over lead-acid
storage batteries stored onboard.
KEY ORGANIZATONAL MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLE – CRAMA’s only interest is

completing our Mission Statement, SAVE THE CLAMAGORE! The organization
supports any organization working toward the same goal. The above mentioned
funds will be managed by CRAMA’s Executive Board. CRAMA accumulated funds
are to be used exclusively to save the submarine, USS CLAMAGORE SS 343.
CRAMA does not support Patriots’ Point’s plan to reef the submarine ergo we
oppose Patriots’ Point Executive Board in any of the board’s efforts to reap
funds from the salvage of CLAMAGORE’s batteries and then use those funds in
the interest of Patriots’ Point whose long-term plans and interest are uncertain.
LOGISTICS OF DAILY OPERATIONS – Once on land CLAMAGORE’s daily

operation will match the operational tempo of CSS HUNLEY’s operations. Most
labor will be provided by volunteers. As part of CSS HUNLEY Park, visitor parking
will already be available. Other benefits to collocating CLAMAGORE here is the
umbrella provided by the HUNLEY’s permits, licensing, insurance, bonding, etc.
provided by any government organization allowing a public access park. CRAMA
will be the key CLAMAGORE operating organization providing all services and
volunteers. Submarine volunteers have provided volunteer services over all
these years CLAMAGORE has been docked at Patriots’ Point. Submariners also
provide engineering tours onboard the YORKTOWN to young Naval Nuclear
Power students.
5

SHORT-TERM PLAN OF ACTION
GAIN POLITICAL SUPPORT – Solicit guidance and support from the Lt Governor

of South Carolina in achieving CRAMA’s mission of locating a land-based berth.
● Provide the Lt Governor with a copy of CRAMA’s Business Plan
● Seek a meeting with the Lt Governor for CRAMA to present their Business
Plan’s Executive Summary
● Seek a meeting with the Mayor of North Charleston and his City Council to
give the same presentation as that given to the Lt Governor of South Carolina
ACHIEVE IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

● Use current on-hand funds plus additional collected monies for start-up
● CRAMA reimburse individual members for expenditures in obtaining
501c(3)
● Create a timeline following submarine location approval
● Designate leadership team to negotiate with local firms to move the
submarine from Patriots’ Point to her new location
● Treasurer to hire financial services organization
● Advertise local Post Office Box for correspondence and business
● Request assistance from USS DRUM SS 228/USS ALABAMA team
● Determine total financial obligation to achieve the goal
● Identify major campaign contributors, local and national

LONG-TERM PLAN OF ACTION
SALVAGE AND SALE – The USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 contains elements that are
not needed or desired to sustain her as a museum. Two items immediately
ready for yielding cash are the submarines 504 lead-acid batteries, each
6

weighing 1008 pounds when new. Taken at current scrape metal market value
of $0.50 per pound substantial monies can be generated by salvaging and selling
the batteries. All toll, the lead-acid batteries could yield gross income of several
hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Other income generating elements are the lead weights found in the ballast
tanks of submarines. Taken onboard for additional ballast, removal and sale of
these lead ingots produced $140,000 (several years ago) for the USS DRUM SS
228 preservation and restoration team. Using local submarine volunteers for
labor and expertise, these funds contributed significantly to the complete
restoration of the DRUM’s hull.
LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE – Once the CLAMAGORE is out of the water and

restored, CRAMA will provide all the maintenance necessary to keep the
museum ship shape. CRAMA’s plan is to house the submarine in such a way that
preservation can be achieved all around the boat. One idea is to set her upon
catenary-shaped concrete forms. This method was chosen for the DRUM. By
designing the method of berthing for easy underneath access (off the ground),
maintenance cost should be reduced to annual upkeep. Maintenance of inside
the boat will be accomplished as routine field-day cleaning.
POWER AND UTILITIES – Since it is anticipated that activities will be provided

onboard the submarine (as they are onboard the YORKTOWN); tours will be
given, groups will visit, and shopping in the site store will occur as it does in the
CSS HUNLEY’s store today. Electricity, lighting, and air conditioning will be
required onboard the boat. These plans will be negotiated later.
SUBMARINE SECURITY – CRAMA will provide a security system and locking

mechanism to secure the submarine. The CLAMAGORE will be closed and
secured commensurate with the CSS HUNLEY’s end of business day.
INVEST IN SHIP’S STORE INVENTORY – CRAMA will negotiate with Patriots’

Point to purchase their entire CLAMAGORE inventory currently housed in the
YORKTOWN/Patriots’ Point store. Ideally, this inventory will be located within
the CSS HUNLEY’s Ship Store. Tourist and visitors will have the opportunity to
7

purchase items from a larger (combined) inventory. CRAMA will add many new
items for sale in the store, e.g. challenge coins, specialized shirts, jerseys, hats
and lots more. Profits will be used to offset operating cost of the store and to
provide maintenance funds.
MARKET THE CLAMAGORE – Create new business opportunities for the

relocated CLAMAGORE. Provide services never offered at Patriots’ Point.
Important submarine celebrations could be held at the park with fund raising
cookouts; boy and girl scouts supervised sleep overs with meals, etc. Provide
CLAMAGORE as a shooting site for future Hollywood filming in the North
Charleston area where such a site is suitable. Aggressive marketing will bring in
funds not yet identified.
ADVERTISE CLAMAGORE’s NEW LOCATION – Place national advertisements in

veteran group’s newsletters, magazines, and clubs announcing the
CLAMAGORE’s new location. Encourage boat reunions to North Charleston
taking advantage of nearby hotels, restaurants, and facilities. Emphasize that
CSS HUNLEY museum is a fun, safe, family oriented site. Visitors will find visiting
the CLAMAGORE a fun way to spend a morning or an entire day. Anyone touring
the CLAMAGORE should allow a minimum of one hour.
COMPONENT ADVERTISING - Today the submarine is advertised as a

component of Patriots’ Point visitor center. A tour of the boat is included in the
total cost of a ticket to the YORKTOWN historical site. It is anticipated that
CLAMAGORE will be a component unit of the new CSS HUNLEY historical site
and benefit from the applied advertising given to this site. Patriots’ Point drew
750,000 visitors to the YORKTOWN museum last year.
USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 RESTORATION AND RELOCATION BENEFITS
CLAMAGORE THE SCHOOLHOUSE – At any one time, the nearby Navy Nuclear

Power Training Command has several hundred students awaiting classes. These
students are in a state of limbo. The Commanding Officer of the school
command has expressed an interest in providing some of these students the
opportunity to meet with submarine veterans and to experience what
8

submarine life was like on WW II and Cold War era submarines. The restored
and relocated CLAMAGORE with her volunteers, and docents, is the perfect
solution. CLAMAGORE would provide the U.S. Navy with the perfect free
training aid just a few miles from the NNPTC facility. Students could experience:
● An exciting hands-on tour of a WW II/ Cold War submarine for the first time
● Talk to sailors who served on these type submarines and when possible speak
to actual WW II submariners
● Learn about systems onboard submarines and how they work. They will
discover that most modern submarine equipment are related to the equipment
found onboard CLAMAGORE…only the power plants are different, a GUPPY III
power plant versus a nuclear power plant. Principles remain the same.
● CRAMA would provide submarine history videos to the students like Victory at
Sea, Thunder Below, Run Silent Run Deep, etc. Just like movies were enjoyed 50
years ago on this submarine.
● Knowledgeable tour guides would be available. It’s submariners who give
NNPTC sailors tours onboard YORKTOWN today. The volunteers present the
history of the Battle of Coral Sea and then give tours of the engine rooms. The
possibilities are numerous. And, the experience would be educable and fun.
CRAMA sees this as one of the greatest benefits gained from saving the
submarine, and a great opportunity for the United States Navy. Sailors will
actually experience what life’s going to be like onboard their first submarine.

CLAMAGORE THE SCHOOLHOUSE II – Another benefit of restoring the

submarine is to accommodate students of local NROTC Programs. NROTC
students thinking of national service in submarines can get aboard a submarine
and experience what actual conditions are like on a submarine. NROTC
commanders could arrange a day at the park with scheduled tours of both
submarines. Guided tours of the CLAMAGORE would include the same
curriculum used for the NNPTC students. They too could enjoy onboard movies.
9

CLAMAGORE/HUNLEY A WINNING COMBO FOR NORTH CHARLESTON - USS

CLAMAGORE and CSS HUNLEY can become the future for an unparalleled
national museum dedicated to the history of the Navy in North Charleston.
Since Patriots’ Point position is known with regards to the USS CLAMAGORE SS
343, the City of North Charleston can plan now to integrate the CLAMAGORE
with the HUNLEY. Visitors and tourist interested in submarines and the
Charleston Naval Shipyard would include this museum during their visit to the
area. This park has a solid foundation for expanding on Charleston Naval
Shipyard history. By adding the USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 to the museum’s
attractions, tourist and visitors will actually see, walk through, feel, and hear
about a Cold War submarine. Although the CSS HUNLEY is the main attraction,
visitors and tourist can only ‘look-n-read’ about the actual vessel. The USS
CLAMAGORE SS 343 adds to their experience by providing access to an actual
submarine where they can walk around in it, see films about it, talk to those
who sailed in her or other submarines, and purchase submarine memorabilia.
CRAMA’s leadership believes the contributions provided by collocating
CLAMAGORE with HUNLEY will add to the bottom line of the City of North
Charleston’s financial statement.
UNEXPECTED BENEFIT – The sheer beauty of the USS CLAMAGORE SS 343

silhouette once she is berthed ashore will astound all those within viewing
distance. CRAMA envisions a beautiful design using the Cooper River as the
backdrop. It is also the CLAMAGORE visitors and tourist to Patriots’ Point wish
to see and tour once they learn she is moored there. The general public fined
submarines interesting and will spend money to be given a guided tour on one.
CRAMA’s ADVANTAGES
CRAMA EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP – CRAMA is an organization dedicated

solely to the preservation of the USS CLAMAGORE SS 343. Leadership’s focus
will be singularly concentrated instead of dispersed over numerous units as is
required of Patriots’ Point leadership. Whereas Patriots’ Point leadership has
zero submarine experience, CRAMA leadership and members have extensive
experience in every type of submarine evolution. Many retired submariners
10

finished another full career at the Charleston Naval Shipyard completing all
aspects of submarine maintenance requirements. CRAMA leadership has access
to larger submarine maintenance resources including the local United States
Submarine Veterans, Inc. Charleston Base. Within this group, CRAMA has
access to thousands of man-years of experience.
CRAMA LOCATION – CRAMA is located in North Charleston ready to support

and respond immediately to outside issues involving the CLAMAGORE.
STABLE LEADERSHIP – CRAMA will provide a stable leadership structure.

Patriots’ Point has had numerous Executive Directors and over the years.
Turnover has caused problems for Patriots’ Point as important maintenance
issues fell through the hole. Other paid staff is not navy nor are they submarine
preservation oriented.
KNOWLEDGEABLE LEADERSHIP – CRAMA leadership is entirely composed of

experienced submariners. This leadership has access to other submarine
organizations experienced in every aspect of submarine operations,
maintenance, and repair. CRAMA is entirely motivated and focused on
relocating, preserving and restoring the USS CLAMAGORE SS 343. CRAMA’s
ability to call upon its assets of likeminded submarines leaves no doubt the
mission will be completed on time and within budget. CRAMA leadership and
submarine experience is our greatest asset.
CRAMA’s DISADVANTAGES
POLITICAL INFLUENCE – CRAMA requires political involvement and support in

relocating the USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 to a suitable site, preferably a land site
where the CSS HUNLEY is to be located. Without completing this first milestone
of identifying and gaining approval for a land site the mission is in jeopardy.
FUNDING SHORTFALL- CRAMA has about one year to come up with sufficient

funds to accomplish their mission. Patriots’ Point estimate to save the
CLAMAGORE is advertised to be around three million dollars. But, this plan
included a complete overhaul of CLAMAGORE because Patriots’ Point estimate
11

is based on the assumption that the CLAMAGORE would return to Patriots’
Point and remain waterborne. CRAMA’s plans to berth CLAMAGORE ashore
which eliminates the requirement for a complete submarine overhaul. Ashore
the submarine only requires superstructure cosmetic maintenance. Being cradle
housed ashore, structural corrosion leading to a sinking will never again be an
issue. Once ashore, restoration and maintenance can then be accomplished at a
reasonable pace.
LACK OF FUND RAISING EXPERIENCE – CRAMA lacks high-level fund raising

experience. There are members on CRAMA’s board experienced in high-level
briefs, but not directly related to fund raising. CRAMA will approach retired
high-level navy leadership to help in this area. CRAMA will also seek the help of
those who raised the funds necessary to build the Cold War Memorial. Another
option is to hire professionals in the field of fund raising.
LACK OF MARKETING EXPERIENCE – CRAMA will investigate ‘pro-bono’ help in

this area from SCORE’s retired business executives and Charleston professional
organizations.
FINANCIAL PLANS
CURRENT FINANCIAL PLAN

CRAMA’s relocation, restoration and maintenance financial planning
is on hold until an approved land grant is procured to berth USS
CLAMAGORE SS 343. Without a berth ashore, fundraising is moot.
Once the land grant is obtained, CRAMA’s financial plan is designed to
seek assistance from highly qualified, professional fundraisers.
Additionally, CRAMA’s Board of Directors will request donations from
major civilian and military corporations. Individual donations will be
requested. Applications for grants will be written. Preservation of
historical landsite grants will be sought as well.

FUTURE FINANCIAL PLAN

It is CRAMA’s contention that co-locating the CSS HUNLEY and USS
CLAMAGORE at the same site will yield a financial synergy to CSS
HUNLEY Park’s bottom line. Not only will USS CLAMAGORE
complement the CSS HUNLEY’s submarine history, she will add to the
attraction by peaking public interest to visit the park. Once USS
CLAMAGORE SS 343 is placed upon land, CRAMA foresees all financial
assets and obligations being included in the operational budget of
HUNLEY Park. It is predicted that about 250,000 visitors would visit
the park during the first year of operation. The financial sheet from
Patriots Point is provided in the Appendix as an example of net
income North Charleston’s City Council could expect to gain from a
multi-ship (submarines) museum.
THE MOVING PLAN
CRAMA’s MOVING PLAN MODEL IS BASED ON THE PROVEN USS DRUM MOVE –

Total cost of this move in 2001 dollars was only $1.4 million ($1.8 in 2012
dollars)
Beginning in the early summer of 2001, the Drum was moved from the
muddy Gulf of Mexico waters beside the USS Alabama battleship and placed
on dry land on a permanent fixture beside the newly constructed pavilion.
Volkert & Associates, Inc., an engineering design firm, handled the move.
This was done by digging a small canal, flooding the canal, floating the boat
into the canal with the help of tugboats, and then draining the canal. Then
she was placed upon and chained to large, concrete cradles. The approximate
cost of this move was $1.4 million. The feat earned numerous awards for
engineering.
The photos of the move to land below were provided to me by Volkert &
Associates, Inc. to use on this website. Please click on any of the images
below to see a larger version.

A major reason for the move was for preservation. Not long after being
placed on land, the Drum was sandblasted and painted.
Besides the exterior concerns, the interior also has maintenance and
restoration issues. She is showing her age! Volunteers are always needed to
help in any way they can.
You may not know that Battleship Memorial Park operates independently from
tax funds. Therefore, revenue from visitor admission to the Park and proceeds
from sales in the gift shop are spread around thinly. Visitor traffic and
awareness are vital for the future of the Drum!
Thanks to NavSource.org for many of the photos you see on this page.

III The USS MARLIN SST 2 Story

The USS MARLIN SST 2 submarine is so much smaller than USS
CLAMAGORE SS 343 that no valuable data about cost of relocation,
restoration and maintenance could be extracted for CRAMA’s use. Her
move to Omaha, Nebraska included train expenses. The cost to place
her on land was not comparable to the cost expenditures of the other
land based submarine memorials.
ENGINEERING DESIGN APPROACH

CRAMA’s Engineering Director will contact the Engineering School of
Clemson University, in Greenville, South Carolina to investigate if the
17

school would participate in providing engineering designs for the
project. As an initial approach, Clemson University Engineering
professors would be given presentations on what engineering is
required to move the USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 from Patriots’ Point to
an identified site. CRAMA’s Engineering Director’s design approach is
to create a design similar to those proven designs produced by other
engineers who successfully engineered submarine land-based
memorials . There may be cost savings using this engineering
approach. Hopefully, the university may take this project on freelance; or, assign the project to graduate students as their project
under his guidance, direction and approval. Possibly the university
could receive a grant to fund the engineering design. By using this
approach, significant relocation cost reductions are possible.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM USS DRUM SS 228’s MOVE
● The actual cost of the move was $1.4 million in 2001 dollars ($1.8 million in
2012 dollars)
● The submarine is pristine, not like the corroding submarine found at Patriots’
Point
● Moving the USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 ashore is doable and much less costly
than first estimated
● An experienced engineering company has already executed an exact move
within an affordable budget
● Once CRAMA salvages and sales the 504 lead-acid batteries aboard USS
CLAMAGORE sufficient funds will be available to start this move
● USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 is going to be a beautiful addition to the HUNLEY
mesum
18

● USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 will not require an extensive dry docking overhaul
● Most repairs are only cosmetic in nature given CLAMAGORE is on land
● Other submarine mounting is possible, but this method is hurricane proof
● Volkert & Association, Inc. is a Mobile, Alabama company. CRAMA should find
a local engineering company to do the work at a comparable cost. CRAMA
should keep the funds and jobs in the local economy
● CLAMAGORE will require a smaller cradle than that shown for USS DRUM
●Volker & Associates, Inc. has an office in Columbia, South Carolina:
1201 Main Street, Suite 1980

(803) 788-6648

CRAMA NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CHART
Executive
Board of
Directors

Ad Hoc
Programs

Chairman
Tom Lufkin

Jerry Stout
Glenn Fleming
Vice Chairman
GW Williams

Political
Treasure

Secretary

Engineering

Fund Raising

George. Scharf

Rick Wise

Don Mook

Steve Weise ?

Volunteers
Ronnie
Ketstetter

Human
Resources

Public Affairs

Relocation

Restoration
William Bryar

Restoration

Rogerr Gibson

Vice Chairman

Maintenance

Board of Directors
Chairman

Don Mook

Jerry Stout

Vice Chairman

William Bryar

Ronnie Ketstetter

Secretary

Glenn Fleming

George Scharf

Treasurer

Roger Gibson

Jack Harden

Board of Directors Resumes

Mr. Jack Harden has extensive operation, repair, overhaul and test
experience in submarine cryptographic systems. Mr. Harden’s managerial
experience while assigned to Naval Security Group Activity, Charleston, South
Carolina included responsibility for highly classified submarine
20

TBD

Communication Security Material Systems. Following his navy retirement, Mr.
Harden was employed by TDS, Inc. in Charleston, South Carolina. He served
TDS, Inc. as a cryptologic compliance officer and adviser on national
communication security.
Mr. Ronnie Kerstetter is a trained industrial and environmental chemist. He
was employed as a manager for Dupont/DAK America, LLC where his
responsibilities encompassed all aspects of the safe operation and
maintenance of surface and wastewater treatment plants. Mr. Kerstetter’s
background correspondingly included shipboard piping design while
employed by the Charleston Naval Shipyard. Mr. Kerstetter applied years of
naval training as a nuclear trained submariner. His piping designs met all the
stringent requirements of naval regulations for shipboard use.
Mr. Rick Wise is the Director of Maintenance for the CSS DAVID replica
located as part of the Berkeley County Museum in Moncks Corner, South
Carolina. As Director, he is responsible for ensuring that CSS DAVID is
maintained in appearance suitable for 24/7 outside display. Maintenance is
performed to keep this historic torpedo boat in top-notch condition for public
visits to the museum. The City of Moncks Corner has acknowledged Mr. Wise
and his team. Without them, the future of the little DAVID would be in doubt
because of the deterioration she would experience. Additionally, Mr. Wise has
in excess of 30 years naval employment with the USN and the Charleston
Naval Shipyard.
Mr. Jerry Stout spent more than 20 years in the United States Navy
supervising and managing electronic teams responsible for completing
complex engineering shipboard installations, alterations and acceptance
testing. Mr. Stout completed three major shipyard overhauls and is
experienced in all phases of submarine rip out, restoration, installation,
testing, and maintenance of submarine electronic equipment. Mr. Stout
managed technicians as Officer-in-Charge of a highly classified submarine
project. His leadership led to the successful delivery of the specialized
electronic system.
21

Mr. G.W. Williams retired from the United States Navy. Following retirement,
he spent 20 years as an engineer and engineering program director for major
defense contractors. While employed by Lockheed Martin Government
Systems Division, Mr. Williams led a team of 275 engineers responsible for
back fit engineering and overhaul of Aegis Weapon System equipped ships. As
a company director he managed contracts in excess of 30 million dollars
annually. He briefed high ranking officers including PMS 400.
Mr. Tom Lufkin is a retired nuclear trained submarine leader. Following
naval service, Mr. Lufkin was employed by the Charleston Naval Shipyard as a
submarine test engineer and submarine type desk planner. Mr. Lufkin’s career
responsibilities increased as he continued his service to the United States
Coast Guard as director of software engineering. Mr. Lufkin has long-term
experience interfacing with high-level government officials. His position as
White House IT Program Manager brought him in contact with all levels of
government, leading to Mr. Lufkin’s last position in government as CIO for
Health and Human Services. Mr. Lufkin is the Chairman of CRAMA.
Mr. Donald Mook is a 20 year, nuclear trained navy electrical engineering
technician. During those years, Mr. Mook supervised three (3) nuclear
refueling overhauls. As a senior nuclear trained engineer, Mr. Mook managed
every aspect of submarine power engineering. In addition, Mr. Mook was a
ship superintendent at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. In this role he managed
the conversion of two active fleet submarines to Naval Nuclear Power
Training Units currently located at the Naval Weapon Station. Mr. Mook is a
volunteer at Patriots Point.
Mr. William Bryar is a retired navy submariner experienced in all aspects of
submarine structural mechanics including piping, hydraulics, air systems,
compressors, refrigeration, and other hull related systems involving diving
and surfacing submarines. Following his naval service, Mr. Bryar was
employed by Detyan’s Shipyard as a steam propulsion and auxiliary systems

engineer. Mr. Bryar was employed by General Dynamic’s Electric Boat as a
structural test engineer.
Mr. Roger Gibson is the most experienced diesel submariner on the board.
He has extensive knowledge of submarine power, electrical systems and main
propulsion. Mr. Gibson is an expert in battery cooling and agnation systems.
Serving onboard nuclear power submarines, Mr. Gibson took submarines
through shipyard commissioning and nuclear conversion. After retirement,
Mr. Gibson was employed by Amoco Chemicals as an Instrumentation and
Electrical engineer responsible for electrical power to operational controls.
Mr. Gibson is qualified in diesel generator power distribution.
Mr. George Scharf has extensive operation, repair, overhaul and test
experience in submarine and surface communication systems. His capabilities
include overhaul management at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry dock
Company. During his 20 years naval service, Mr. Scharf served over four years
supervising new construction and overhaul of nuclear power submarines. Mr.
Scharf continued his managing expertise after naval retirement by creating
and operating a successful small business. Mr. Scharf is a certified Emergency
Medical Technician

FINANCIAL PLANS
CURRENT FINANCIAL PLAN

major civilian and military corporations. Individual donations will be
requested. Applications for grants will be written. Preservation of
historical landsite grants will be sought as well.
FUTURE FINANCIAL PLAN

APPENDIX

HISTORY OF THE USS CLAMAGORE

Specs
dp. 1870 tons (surf.) 2391 tons (subm.); l. 311.7'; b. 27';
s. 20.25k (surf.) 8.5 (subm.); td. 400'; a. 6-21" tt. fwd., 4-21" tt. aft.;
c. 6 officers, 60 enlisted men; cl: "Balao"
Keel Laid down by Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT 16MAR44;
Launched: 25FEB45 with Miss Mary Jane Jacobs sponsoring;
Commissioned: 28JUN45 with Cdr Sam Colby Loomis, Jr., in command;
Decommissioned: 12JUN75 and struck from the Navy List 27JUN75;
Serving as Museum Ship at Patriot's Point, Charleston, South Carolina.
World War II came to end while USS CLAMAGORE (SS-343) was on a training cruise off
Panama. In January, 1946, CLAMAGORE became Flagship of Submarine Squadron FOUR based
in Key West, Florida. CLAMAGORE carried the Squadron Flag until 1 August 1959.
The U.S. Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the site of CLAMAGORE's
conversion to high speed GUPPY II (Greater Underwater Propulsion Power) submarine in the
spring and summer of 1948. During this conversion, she received the snorkel installation.
During 1949 Fleet Tactical Exercise, CLAMAGORE was accorded the honor of being selected
Flagship for Vice Admiral Duncan, USN, Commander Task Fleet, and Rear Admiral Fife, USN,
Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
26

During 1955 CLAMAGORE made two trips to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, rendering services to the
Fleet Training Group for the periods 25 March to 25 April and 22 August to 16 September. Other
ports visited during 1955 were Havana, Fort Lauderdale, and Pensacola, Florida. In November
CLAMAGORE entered Charleston Naval Shipyard for installation of a new battery.
Upon leaving the shipyard in February, 1956, CLAMAGORE returned to Key West for
operations. She visited Tampa, Mayport, and Miami, and Havana and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba;
prior to entering the Charleston Naval Shipyard in September, 1956, for a regular scheduled
overhaul.
The overhaul was completed in February, 1957, and CLAMAGORE went to New London
Connecticut and Newport, Rhode Island prior to returning to Key West. A trip to Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba preceded an extended cruise to Portsmouth, England, which was followed by liberty
in Argentina, Newfoundland, on the return to Key West in December.
In February, 1958, CLAMAGORE participated in ASWEX 1-58. From June to August,
CLAMAGORE was in Charleston Naval Shipyard for a battery renewal. During the local
operations from Key West, V visited Savannah, Mobile, Alabama; and Tampa and Fort
Lauderdale, Florida.
Local operations from Key West and a trip to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba were made from January
to April, 1959. In April, CLAMAGORE participated in Exercise LANTBEX 1-59 and returned to
Key West in June. The arrival of CLAMAGORE at Charleston Naval Shipyard for an overhaul on
29 June coincided with the change in home port of Submarine Squadron FOUR to Charleston.
Overhaul was completed in December. From April to July, 1960 CLAMAGORE served with the
U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean.
During January and February, 1961, CLAMAGORE participated in operation Springboard in the
Caribbean. From August to December, 1961, CLAMAGORE participated in Operation UNITAS
II which was a-joint antisubmarine warfare training exercise with eight South American
countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Equador, Peru, Venezuela and Uruguay. During
this cruise CLAMAGORE steamed around the southern tip of the South American Continent.
CLAMAGORE entered Charleston Naval Shipyard in May, 1962, for conversion to a GUPPY III
type submarine. During this conversion, the ship was cut in half and a 15 foot, 55 ton section was
added. The latest and most sophisticated electronics and fire control system were also installed.
On 2 July 1962 the new hull section was christened by Miss Ann Beshany, 16-year-old daughter
of Captain P.A. Beshany, then Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
The conversion to a GUPPY III was completed in February, 1963. On 1 June 1963
CLAMAGORE changed homeports to New London, Connecticut at which time she was
transferred from Submarine Squadron FOUR to Submarine Squadron TWO. During January and
February of the following year, CLAMAGORE participated in Springboard, 1964, visiting San
Juan in Puerto Rico and Saint Croix in the Virgin Islands. In late May she entered Portsmouth
Naval Shipyard for battery renewal. Leaving the shipyard in July, CLAMAGORE visited
27

Portsmouth, England in September, 1964. After an extended cruise, CLAMAGORE returned to
New London in November, 1964.
In early April, 1965, CLAMAGORE departed New London for a joint NATO operation south of
Iceland with British, Dutch, American, and French submarines and aircraft. Upon completion of
the very successful exercise, CLAMAGORE visited Londonderry in Northern Ireland in late May,
1965, for a wash-up conference. Following her return to New London in June; CLAMAGORE
entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 23 July 1965. During this overhaul, CLAMAGORE
received an extensive repair of its hydraulic system, the installation of the STEINKE Escape
System, the modernization of its fire control system, and the overhaul of its main propulsion
motors and generators. These and other repairs cost approximately $1,650,000. This shipyard
overhaul was completed on 19 January 1966.
In early 1966 the CLAMAGORE was devoted to Springboard deployments and various other
operational tasks. In March of 1967 CLAMAGORE entered Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for main
battery renewal. Upon leaving the shipyard she rejoined the fleet for a Mediterranean
deployment. She returned to New London in late 1967 and in March 1968 left for extensive
operations in the North Atlantic. Her efforts resulted in her eight Battle "E".
After the 1968 overhaul in Philadelphia CLAMAGORE was engaged in type training, SSBN
training cruises and local operations. In August, she headed south toward Bermuda where she
participated in SUBASWEX 4-69. After more local operations out of New London, she returned
to the Virgin Islands for a Weapons System Acceptance Trial.
1970 began with another Springboard deployment followed by a battery renewal. Another
Mediterranean deployment followed the shipyard period where she operated extensively with
aircraft, surface craft, and submersibles from various allied navies. CLAMAGORE then operated
up and down the coast from Halifax, Nova Scotia to the Virgin Islands during much of 1971.
September of 1971 found her engaged in operations in the Norwegian Sea. She spent the
remainder of the 1971 in New London in upkeep and preparation for her scheduled overhaul.
The 1972 overhaul was accomplished in Philadelphia. This major effort was completed in June,
one month short of schedule.
The remainder of 1972 was devoted to a two-month deployment to the Caribbean encompassing
refresher training, type training and a highly successful Weapons System Acceptance Trial.
November 1972 saw the satisfactory completion of Successful Nuclear Weapons Acceptance
Inspection.
In 1973, a month of local operations preceded a restricted availability at Portsmouth for main
battery renewal and a main engine replacement. During the availability, preparations were begun
for the upcoming UNITAS XIV deployment.

CLAMAGORE decommissioned 12 June 1975 and was struck from the Navy List on 27 June
1975
975 and now serves as a Musuem Ship at Patriot's Point, Charleston, South Carolina.

Remember When?
Then 1967 Don Ulmer (L) w/ John Spear - Now 2011 Don Ulmer (L) w/ Hal Tatlow

uyjhm

Perhaps you might want to put these on your "historical" photos portion of the Clamagore Veterans
Association.
photo 1- Jack Heard is directly behind the handshake grasp of the two men in the foreground. I don't know
the occasion.
photo 2- probably June of 1956 in Key West when he became CO. Looks like the cake has a submarine on it.
I believe I was there if I'm recalling this correctly.... don't they throw the new CO off the side? I do remember
that pretty well because it scared me!
Thanks so much. Jackie Heard

Patriots Point Budget Summary 2012-2013

CSS HUNLEY/USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 MUSEUM

Provided here are operational pricing and advertising ideas to meet the operational needs of the
park:

Admission fees:
• Age 12 & up: $15.00
• Ages 6-11: $6.00
• Under age 6: Free
• Senior Citizen (Age 55 & above): $13
• AAA Member (Must present ID): $13
• Active Duty Military (Must present ID): Free
• Active Duty Dependent –Age
Age 12 & Up (Must present ID): $13.00
• Active Duty Dependent-Age 6-11
11 (Must present ID): $5.00
• Retired Military (Must
st present current DD
DD-2): Free
Special pricing for groups of 10 or more is available. Please click on the GROUPS tab and then select the
type of group you have for more information.
Open every day except Christmas Day
10:00 am - 6:00 pm (April-September)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm (October-March)
*Ticket Office & Gift Shop close one hour prior to park closing

Parking:
All Vehicles (excluding Semis): $2.00
Semis (includes admission for driver): $28.00
We have ample parking available for Motor coaches, Travel Trail
Trailers, etc.
WE DO NOT ALLOW OVERNIGHT PARKING

Preparing for Your Visit:
• Wear comfortable shoes; preferably a soft sole with closed toe and closed heel.
• All tours are guided. You can begin your tour immediately after purchasing your ticket.
• Allow approximately
roximately 2 hours to see everything but feel free to stay all day!
• Photography and video is encouraged.
• The CSS HUNLEY’s pavilion is handicap accessible. Unfortunately, the Submarine USS CLAMAGORE is not,
but there is a video on the submarine that runs continuously in the CSS HUNLEY’s pavilion.
• Pets are not allowed aboard the ships or inside the Pavilion and must be on a leash in the park.
Ticket Office prior to using the kennels.
• We have an on-site concessionaire
cessionaire where you will be able to purchase a variety of food & drinks.
• We gladly accept: Cash, Traveler’s Checks, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.We do not accept
personal checks.

Pictures of what the park might look like

The USS BATFISH SS/AGSS 310 Story

Used Drum Method berth ashore
This "War Patrol" deals with the story of how Batfish made it to Muskogee, Oklahoma. Read about the Batfish's final
journey....War Patrol #8.

In 1956 the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II incorporated itself as a national fraternal
organization with chapters is each state. As the Navy began to retire the obsolete fleet submarines in which these
men served, SubVet chapters in coastal states began acquiring them as war memorials for their communities. The
Navy was willing to give these men their old boats, so long as they could be afforded respectful upkeep to promote
interest in the history, traditions, and contributions of the U.S. Navy.

By 1969, the Oklahoma SubVets were impressed with the U.S.S. Drum in Mobile, Alabama, which drew over
300,000 paying visitors its first year. A delegation from the Oklahoma City and Tulsa chapters asked the Navy if
they could adopt a retired submarine. On hand at the New Orleans Naval Yard was the U.S.S. Piranha, which the
Navy agreed to turn over to them if they could fulfill the donation requirements. Wanting the Piranha for his
hometown, Republican State Senator James Inhofe agreed to sponsor a bill accepting the submarine for
Oklahoma.

The initial reports claimed it was impossible to get a submarine as far upriver as Tulsa because the Arkansas River
Channel above Muskogee was not deep enough. It was later determined that a direct tow upriver to Muskogee was
not possible, therefore another method of transport other than direct towing would have to be devised. In the
meantime, on October 2, 1970, the Muskogee City-County Trust Port Authority agreed to donate five acres of prime
waterfront real estate - worth about $90,000 an acre - for the submarine berth and memorial park.

The submarine procurement committee met with the Navy for preliminary arrangements for the transfer of the
Piranha. However, the Navy would not hold the Piranha unless the committee made a formal application for her
and possession would be immediate once the donation contract was approved. Since the Arkansas River
Navigable Waterway system would not be open for at least a year, interim docking charges would be prohibitive.
The committee decided to wait and take their chances.

In September, 1970, the committee inspected Batfish, an alternative to the Piranha. Although both submarines had
suffered considerable neglect, Piranha had been almost completely cannibalized whereas Batfish was much
cleaner and better outfitted. Nearly a year had passed before the committee made a formal application for the
Batfish, now mothballed beside Piranha at the Naval Inactive Ship Facility at Orange, Texas. Batfish had a far
better war record. Piranha was commissioned in February 1943 and had made five war patrols, claiming seven
sinkings for 19,300 tons. JANAC, however, credited her with only one sinking - on her first patrol. The committee
was very pleased with Batfish and the Navy made no objection to the last-minute swap.

The donation contract was drawn up on June 24, 1971. The Secretary of the Navy approved the transaction and
congressional approval was obtained on November 8, 1971. On December 9, 1971, the Batfish belonged to
Oklahoma - at least on paper. The towing of the Batfish was divided into two phases: a direct offshore tow from the
Orange Naval Inactive Maintenance Facility to the Avondale Shipyard at New Orleans. Then, after Avondale raised
and cradled Batfish between two pairs of baredecked barges on steel lifting straps, the 1,350-mile upriver tow
36

would proceeded.

Batfish was towed to the Bethlehem Steel drydock in Beaumont, Texas, after the Orange drydock went on strike. At
Bethlehem Steel, after a general inspection of her hull and compartments, all air salvage valves were made
operable, fuel, oil, and most of her ballast were removed, and all her tanks were flushed clean. Then the hull
openings were sealed. Batfish was ready on March 1, 1972 to be towed to the Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans.

At Avondale, it became obvious that the specified four barges would not provide enough buoyancy to reduce
Batfish's draft. The revised flotilla design, incorporating six 120-by-32- foot bare-deck barges, would be ballasted to
the outside, bound together by steel stabilizing and breasting cables. On March 13, the barges were partially
secured to Batfish by lifting straps, but no cables had yet been placed to bind them together. That afternoon, the
English tanker Silvermain sped by at 11 knots in a 5-knot zone and her wake hit the flotilla broadside at Avondale's
Wet Dock #2. Two barges were seriously damaged and a third went to the bottom. The deck of the only barge not
torn away from Batfish by the breakup was buckled by the strain, though Batfish herself escaped serious damage.

After the flotilla was re-assembled, Batfish was slowly moved up-river by two tugs at four knots. On May 3 she
passed with ease through Lock-and-Dam Number 6, but her superstructure would not clear a bridge on the way
into Little Rock. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lowered the river level by three feet allowing Batfish to "squeak"
under the bridge. The tugs refueled at Little Rock and one tug returned downriver. Under single tow, Batfish
proceeded cautiously and even more slowly toward Fort Smith. Batfish crept alongside her temporary berth at the
Will Brothers Port of Muskogee Terminal on Sunday, May 7, 1972. The next order of business was the trenching of
a 120-foot wide, 1/4-mile long trench from the main channel to the foot of Batfish's park site. On July 4, 1972, the
Batfish, still in her temporary mooring, was unofficially opened to the public.

David D. Terry Lock and Dam - Muskogee, Oklahoma
May 3, 1972
Nearly a year passed as the financial situation between the Batfish and subcontractors and banks making the initial loans
were settled. On Monday, March 12, 1973, heavy spring rains flooded the Arkansas River. Batfish gave the appearance of
tugging so violently at her mooring cables that the Army Corps of Engineers feared she would rip loose and crush the
Muskogee port docks or the new U.S. Route 62 bridge downriver, blocking the channel. Batfish listed precariously to port and
shifting sand and mud increased her tilt even more to nearly forty degrees. Batfish held fast, but the Oklahoma Tourism and
Recreation Commission wanted the Navy to take back the submarine, whereas the Navy expected Oklahoma to honor its
contract. Batfish was clearly an Oklahoma problem.

Moving the BATFISH into place

On April 4, a hole in the riverbank was started to allow the Batfish access to its donated land. On April 21, dredging
between the slip and the river was begun. Batfish was aligned with the slip, secured broadside to the strong current
by cables. Then four bulldozers began to tug at her with 300-foot cables as a Port of Muskogee tug pushed from
behind. By 4 pm on April 4th, Batfish was in her slip. Over the next week, the hole in the riverbank was replaced
and the slip was flooded to float the Batfish to her final elevation. My May 1st, Batfish had been realigned to
overlook the Arkansas River, thirty-six feet below her deck.

Approximately 50 people turned out in the crisp, windy weather for the Memorial Day re-opening. By the end of
August, Batfish was steadily attracting a thousand visitors a week. Over the seven-week period, income from paid
attendance had doubled. Except for the conning tower, she has been restored very well. More or less intact, she
draws the awe and respect of her thousand or so visitors a week from late March to November.

USS Batfish at Algiers, LA in 1964 (courtesy of John Lamb)

These photos were taken by Gary Siftar of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma about 1961 while the Batfish was in New Orleans.
He was a Sea Cadet at the time and took the photographs. As Gary remembers, she was missing her screw at the
time, but was still commissioned. The stern photo is a bit out of focus but shows the ensign. He thinks the other
submarine moored at her port was the Sunfish (less gun).

LISTING OF UNITED STATES SUBMARINE MEMORIALS

THE FOLLOWING LIST SUCCESSFUL SUBMARINE MEMORIALS ON THE NATIONAL
HISTORICE REGISTER:
Twenty-three United States submarines are designated as memorials.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Albacore (AGSS-569): Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Batfish (SS-310): Muskogee, Oklahoma
Becuna (SS-319): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Blueback (SS-581): Portland, Oregon
Bowfin (SS-287): Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Cavalla (AGSS-244): Galveston, Texas
Clamagore (SS-343): Patriot's Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Cobia (SS-245): Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Cod (SS-224): Cleveland, Ohio
Croaker (SS/SSK-246): Buffalo, New York
Drum (SS-228): Mobile, Alabama
Growler (SSG-577): New York City
Ling (SS-297): Hackensack, New Jersey
Lionfish (SS-298): Fall River, Massachusetts
Marlin (SST-2): Omaha, Nebraska
Nautilus (SSN-571): Groton, Connecticut
Pampanito (SS-383): San Francisco, California
Razorback (SS-394): North Little Rock, Arkansas
Requin (AGSS/SSR-481): Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Silversides (SS-236): Muskegon, Michigan
Torsk (SS-423): Baltimore, Maryland
Intelligent Whale: National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey, Sea Girt, New Jersey
Fenian Ram: Paterson, New Jersey

Note: See USS CLAMAGORE SS 343 on the list.
All these boats are on both the US NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORICAL PLACES
and the US NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC LANDMARKS
These submarines memorials add to the historic character of hosting cities and
add to the city’s financial statement by raising revenues

Successful Land Based Submarine Memorials

Of the submarines mentioned above, there are four submarine museums where
the submarine has been brought ashore. They are:
42

1) USS ALBACOR AGSS 569
2) USS BATFISH SS/AGSS 310
3) USS DRUM SS228
4) USS MARLIN SST 2

Portsmouth, NH
Muskogee, OK
Mobile, ALA
Omaha, Neb

I THE ALBACOR AGSS 569 RELOCATION AND RESTORATION STORY

A rail-wheel method of moving submarine ashore
On October 1, 1972, Albacore was decommissioned. Her unreliable pancake engines
had finally caught up with her and test operations were severely curtailed and eventually
canceled. Plans to replace the pancake diesel engines would have required adding a 12foot section to the hull. The cost of such a modification and the resulting increase in
drag was unacceptable.

Albacore at InActShipFac

Albacore was towed to the Inactive Ship Facility (InActShipFac) at the Philadelphia
Naval Shipyard. There she languished for seven years until the Navy Sub-Board of
Inspection and Survey in December recommended that "she be stricken from the Naval
Register of Ships". In April of 1980, the Chief of Naval Operations advised the
Secretary of the Navy that "The Navy has no further requirement for this ship as an
operational R&D platform" and that "authority is requested to dispose of Albacore as a
target of destruction for experimental purposes." On May 1, 1980, Albacore was
stricken from the Navy List.
43

While the Navy was considering how to usefully send Albacore to a watery grave, other
forces were in motion to return her to her place of birth. Joseph Sawtelle, a leader in
organizing the Portsmouth Marine Society, was exploring the possibility of forming a
maritime museum in Portsmouth. He had acquired property as a possible site for the
museum and was considering ways to get the project off the ground. He was advised to
get a center piece - a real ship.
William Keefe, a vice mayor of Portsmouth and a city counselor, had brought the Tall
Ships to Portsmouth in 1981. A chance meeting with Russell Van Billiard, who had seen
Albacore in Philadelphia, convinced Keefe to take on the project of bring Albacore
home. She was small, conventionally powered, and a non-combatant submarine that
could serve as a monument to the people who designed built, maintained and manned
her.
What started out as the Bring Back the Albacore Committee became the nonprofit
Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association (PSMA). The group faced four
challenges: To raise necessary funds; to get the Navy to release the Albacore to the
group; to find a suitable site; and to determine how to move her to her display site.
The property Joe Sawtelle held would not be suitable for displaying Albacore. A search
of waterfront property failed to identify a suitable piece of land along the Piscataqua
River. However, a possible solution was to move the Albacore onto a dry land site.
What better way to display Albacore's sleek hull, X-configured stern and counterrotating propellers than by having her completely out in the open and visible. Joe
Sawtelle located a parcel of land at the intersection of the Route 1 By-Pass and Market
Street that belonged to the Maine-New Hampshire Interstate Bridge Authority. When
approached, the Authority Board agreed that this was an appropriate use of the land and
wound up selling the land to the Association.
The Navy told the association that they must show they had the financial resources to
complete the project before the Navy would consider releasing Albacore to them. Cost
estimates ranged from .6 to 1.6 million dollars. No public funds were available so all
monies had to be raised from private contributions. The public response was
overwhelming and over $400,000 was raised. Commitments from two large donors
brought the total to $758,000 and, taking a $300,000 mortgage on the property, the
funding was set.
With a site, funding and public support, the Maine and New Hampshire congressional
delegations, the Navy and Navy Secretary John Lehman were approached. After a lot of
paperwork and many meetings, both houses of Congress passed the necessary bill to
release Albacore to the Association and on November 7, 1983 President Ronald Reagan
signed the bill. However, the Naval Sea Systems Command, the final authority to
consent to releasing Albacore, did not do so until just hours before Albacore began its
move to its final site in May of 1985.
The Move
44

The PSMA had approval to take possession of Albacore. Now they faced the problem of
getting the boat from the InActShipFac in Philadelphia to Portsmouth and to its ultimate
resting place. The Navy could not free one of its tug boats to move the boat but the
Army could. A reserve Army component took on the movement as a training exercise.
In April of 1984, the Navy briefly turned custody of a Navy submarine over to the Army
Reserve. After a careful pre-tow inspection by the tug's skipper Warrant Officer Mark
Anthony, the Army tug Okinawa took Albacore under tow for the 575 mile, 70 hour trip
to Portsmouth.

Under tow by tug Okinawa

Albacore caused a problem for the tug. Whenever the tug slowed down, Albacore with
her low drag would continue on and try to overtake the tug. The 5 knot average speed
was lower than hoped for and heavy seas and high winds led to a transit of the Cape Cod
Canal instead of going around the Cape. A strong current in the Canal slowed the transit
speed down to about 4 knots.

Transiting Cape Cod Canal

Heavy seas caused the planned early morning rendezvous with a local Portsmouth-based
tug off Gunboat Shoal buoy to be missed.

Arrival at Fort Constitution

A late morning transfer of the tow did take place and Albacore was moved to Berth 7
next to the Naval Reserve Center at the shipyard.

Ship and Site Preparations

The Naval Reserve Center took over the Albacore. Any classified items or systems were
either covered up or removed as NAVSEA directed. Depth and speed indicators and
ballast tank systems were restored to working order for her final move. During their drill
periods, the reservists invested countless hours of training time in preparing the boat for
its final move. The shipyard provided a lot of support, also. Albacore was their baby and
they wanted the best for her. The time and effort donated to getting Albacore ready
conserved PSMA funds.
Gene Allmendinger, a professor of naval architecture at the University of New
Hampshire and a member of the PSMA, designed a set of reinforced concrete cradles
that would serve as her supports on dry land.

Concrete cradle design

The problem was how to get her there. The final resting site was a quarter of a mile
from the river and 27 feet above sea level. Of the three different methods considered,
the one selected was a marine railway. Albacore would be floated onto a specially
designed cradle which would be moved on rollers on twin tracks. A heavy duty winch
would pull the submarine laidened cradle out of the water and up a ramp.

Marine Railway ready for outhaul

A similar system has been used to dry dock small ships and it was a proven system. To
47

get the boat from the Piscataqua River to the cradle, it would be necessary to remove a
railroad trestle, cut through a four lane highway and dredge a channel to the end of the
marine railway. Gaining permission and approvals to do all this was a major task with
over 20 separate permits and approvals required. A complicating factor was that the
move had to occur at the time of the highest monthly tide. Finally, all permits and
authorizations were in hand and, on May 4, 1985, the process of moving Albacore to her
final resting place began.
Off to a Good Start, But....

Entering rail cut en route to highway cut

The channel had been dredged, the trestle removed and the highway breached. Albacore
passed stern first through the gap in the railroad and began a sideways maneuver of
several hundred feet to line up with the highway cut. Her lower stern fins went aground
in the mud and high tide came and went before she could be gotten free.

Nearing marine railway

With just minutes to spare, she was lined up over the cradle when a major problem
arose. A protective cap on the end of her propeller-less propeller shaft prevented
Albacore's stern from mating up exactly with the cradle.

Positioned over the railway cradle

With the tide going out, a decision was made to go ahead and land Albacore on the
cradle and pull her out anyway. A winch failure postponed the movement until the next
day. On the following day, the repaired winch slowly moved the boat and cradle perhaps
30 feet before disaster struck. With the full weight of the submarine on it, the beams of
the cradle buckled and the cradle slipped off the tracks. At the next high tide, the boat
was moved back as far as possible from the river and allowed to settle in the mud as the
tide receded.
Plan B?

There was no back up plan. The submarine could not be moved without cutting the
highway again and taking down the railroad trestle. The only other option seemed to be
to cut up the boat and haul it away in pieces. And that was not an acceptable solution.
For months Albacore would lie in the mud like some oversized beached whale while
possible engineering solutions were evaluated. The plan finally adopted was to build a
large coffer dam, or bath tub, around the submarine, fill it with water, float the boat and
pull it to the back end of the tub. By building ever higher walls around the boat, a series
of canal locks would lift the submarine and allowed her to move inland toward her final
destination.

The Last Move

Deciding upon a method for moving Albacore was the easy part. Now began the
permitting process which entailed convincing the Army Corps of Engineers, among
others, that the coffer dams would hold water and not collapse. With the water level in
the final coffer dam 6 1/2 feet above the Route 1 By-Pass, the Corps had to be satisfied
that the water would be contained and that there was a very low risk of a blow out and
catastrophic flooding. The University of New Hampshire School of Engineering
provided technical assistance in providing an analysis of soil mechanics, structural
geometry and the system for lining the coffer dam with poly sheeting to minimize water
leakage.

The beached whale in her cofferdam

Filling the coffer dams with water was another problem. The available pumps did not
have the volume capacity. Walter Pratt of Rensselaer, NY donated and delivered free of
charge 12 huge pumps. Another problem to be solved was that the pumps would run out
of gas every three hours and they would need to be running 24 hours a day. Buzz
Hanscom, owner of a local fuel company, loaded up one of his tanker trucks and kept
the pump tanks filled and never charged a penny.

In position over the concrete cradle

With all details complete, it took three days of round-the-clock operations to complete
three floods and lifts and move Albacore into position. With the water level falling,
Albacore settled perfectly on her concrete cradle at 4:30 pm on October 3, 1985. She
was finally home.
Getting Ready for Visitors

Forward entry brow and hut

Having Albacore in place was not the final step. A refurbished, working periscope was
51

provided by the Navy. She needed her counter rotating propellers mounted, two holes
cut in the hull for visitor entry and exit doors, the hull sandblasted and painted, and
modification of internal electrical wiring to accommodate shore power. A large group of
volunteers, many from the Portsmouth shipyard, did all the work.

Getting her ready for visitors

The shipyard was and still is today a central factor in the community. Albacore was a
creation of theirs and they took great pride in their workmanship. It took almost a year
before everything was ready and Albacore was opened to the public on August 30,
1986.
Today

Albacore sits in dignified silence on her concrete cradle alongside the Route 1 By-Pass.
About every five years, her hull gets a fresh coat of paint. Volunteers from submarines
in overhaul at the nearby shipyard provide the labor. The Park throws a cookout for the
volunteers afterward.
A small Visitor's Center building is the starting point for touring Albacore. The Center
has a display of submarine memorabilia and sells submarine souvenirs and books. In
2005, an audio tour system was put in place outside on the park grounds and inside
Albacore. The tour provides visitors with information about Albacore's unique external
and internal features and relates experiences of some of her former crew members.
Near the Visitor's Center is a Memorial Garden which honors the sacrifices of those
submariners who gave their lives in service to their country.

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