This is how the Bates looked the first day I arrived onboard. I believe the tender in the background in the USS Dixon. Farther to the right you can see the USS McKee which was the tender assigned to us.

The Bates was stationed at Pt. Loma in San Diego, California.

This was my first and only submarine in my four years of Navy life.

To the right is a picture of San Diego from across the harbor. This is a time lapse photo.

After we went to Japan, we went to Subic Bay, Phillipines. The ship threw a party for the crew and we all had a good time drinking San Miguel beer. Some of us were even brave enough to drink Red Dog beer.

When I first got to the boat, the cob or Chief of the Boat is the first person you meet. In the beginning he is the person you fear the most onboard. As time goes on you develop a respect for the man and realize

that he is someone well worth getting to know. Our cob shown here was Clyde Zortman. He was a Master Chief and by the end of my tour, I would have to say I could call him a friend.

Two Modes of Transportation in the Phillipines are Trikes and Jeepneys. The trikes are a bit scary and you might be able to shove two people in the side car. There is no regard to any traffic laws and the streets are chaotic. A jeepney is a cross between a taxi and a bus. And it always has bald tires!!!

Conversation with fellow submariners or bubble heads" as we are sometimes called is a good way to pass the time during the manuevering watch. Here LTJG (Hogan I think?) talks to LT Reed (you can see his shoulder) as I take a photo..

To the left is the boat tied up near

Sattahip Thailand and above is a picture

of a surface transit.