Willieboy
3T WIS
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In my "Thanks to the Veterans" thread, I outlined my failed efforts at joining the military. Thinking about those days reminded me of a true story I enjoy telling. Hope you get a kick out of it.
I'm 63 years old now but when I was a kid, there was a television show called Sea Hunt. It starred Lloyd Bridges as Mike Nelson, professional diver. This program sparked my tremendous interest in SCUBA diving. I was twelve years old and too young I thought to pursue my dream of being just like Mile Nelson. I did however, scour the alleys of Chicago's south side in the hope of finding pipes. I reasoned that if I collected a big enough pile of pipes, I would be able to fashion a tank manifold for my doubles when I got them. My poor parents.
Then, one day, one of my rat partners and I decided to take the bus downtown. We did this often just to look at the buildings, the girls, and generally just get into trouble. On this particular day, we found ourselves at Navy Pier. I was so excited I nearly wet my pants because there, before my very eyes, was the Silversides, a WWII diesel powered submarine. At the age of twelve, I already knew I wanted to join the Navy as soon as I could, but I also know I couldn't do so until I finished high school, and that was a long time for a Mike Nelson wannabe to wait.
So, I told my friend Joey I wasn't going to wait...I was going to join up today. I told Joey I was going to board the Silversides and hide until it put to sea, or lake in this case. (I'll never understand what that boat was doing in Lake Michigan.) Once at sea/lake, they'd have to keep meI reasoned. Anyway, I told Joey he should just go home and not say anything to my mother as to my plan to start my Naval career a little early.
I then followed through on my quickly formulated plan and boarded the Silversides. Nobody challenged me and I was able to sneak below decks. I found what seemed like a secluded hideout and sat down, waiting eagerly for the sound of the diesel engines as we left port. Well, there were no noises of any kind. What there was, was the smell of cooking food and I was getting hungry. I decided that, to be a good submainer, I would need nourishment, so I began following my nose to the food.
I finally found my way to the galley where an very big man, dressed all in white, was standing at a cooking surface frying hamburgers. Now, my challenge was to grap one of those hamburgers without revealing my presence. No good. I made a noise somehow and the cook turn to see me standing there. The cook asked me what I was doing on his submarine. I was frightened so I immediately gave him my best salute (learned in the Boy Scouts) and said, "Mr. Bill reporting for duty, Sir!" or words to a effect. I explained I wanted to join the Navy but didn't want to wait until I was seventeen or eighteen years old. I wanted to join right now, today, and become a diver. He laughed and said he thought I might be a little too young. This nice man then sat at a little stainless steel table with me and we had a hamburger together and talked awhile. He then took me on a tour of the Silversides, told me to come back when I was older and then escorted me off the boat.
Here's the punchline. The Silversides had been decommissioned and didn't move an inch for at least 20 years. It may still be there.
I did realize my dream of becoming a diver. I was certified in 1970 and spent 15 wonderful years diving shipwrecks in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior as well as exploring underwater caves in Northern Florida.
Thanks for reading,
Mr. Bill
Last edited on Sun May 4th, 2008 05:07 pm by Willieboy
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for sharing. Loved the story:D
