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This is my third ship. She is the USS Hunley (AS-31) and I reported aboard her in August 1984. She was located at Site One, Holy Loch, Scotland. Site One is where the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN's) started their deterrence patrols from. This was during the bad old days of the cold war and the United States needed to keep the pressure on the Soviets. We did this by arming these submarines with nuclear tipped missiles...scaring the crap out of them because the boats (submarines) would disappear for 90 days and nobody knew where they actually were...not even the U.S. Navy. Now before you start calling on congressman...they were assigned patrol areas off the coast of Russia, but these area were large and the boat tiny, so nobody actually knew where they were. The Hunley was assigned as a tender to the submarines. This meant that she repaired, rearmed, replenished, outfitted, and supplied the boats. I was assigned to the Operations Department as a Quartermaster Second Class (QM2). I corrected the navigational charts and publications. I fixed and maintained navigational equipment. Mostly, I supplied the boats with charts and expertise. You see, I was a recognized leader in celestial navigation and the Quartermasters from the submarines wanted to learn how. It was a good job. I also loved Scotland! The people were warm and friendly. I met a nice woman and had a son there. Although we never married I have remained in touch. My son, Christopher, lives in Dunoon with his mother, Angela. I like the whole atmosphere...the bagpipes, the public houses, the beer, the fish and chips, and the beauty of the place. I was sad the day I had to leave. I knew the day I was promoted to QM1 that I would be getting orders. In July 1986 I received them and I was to report as the Leading Quartermaster (the boss man) aboard the USS O'Bannon (DD-987).
I like the scene. It reminds me of my peaceful days I lived on the shores of the Holy Loch while I was stationed in Scotland. The snow covered mountains, the crystal clear water, the refreshingly pure cold air, the people, and even the rain...gave me peace. Just as a Sunday morning Mass does. Peace be with you! Why do I bring this up? Well, a couple of things. I started the morning off with sweeping and swabbing the wooden deck (the floor) on the house. This was followed by doing the laundry, which included the sheets and pillowcase of my bed. Anyone who has done this knows that danger lurks behind every corner and today my feather pillow exploded. BOOM! Feathers all over my freshly done floor. Peace be with you! Next it was on to my chess studies. I cranked up my trusty laptop and connected to www.playchess.com and found a willing partner in crime. That is what I will call this game. Criminal! Oh, it started out in a nice Scotch Game...no that has nothing to do with a bottle of whiskey or the photo. This opening is how I get an advantage with the white pieces when black meets my 1.e4 with 1...e5. So it start thus: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 and then black is supposed to play 2...Nc6 and I continue with 3.d4! In this game black decides on the Philidor's Defense and plays: 2...d6. Okay, I get it. My response is the same 3. d4! , but this opponent has to be a smarty pants and plays the weak 3...f6? and with 4.Bc4 I have better development and initiative, which gives me at least a pawn worth of advantage! So the game progressed until I lost some material...hung it actually. Now we are even again in material, but I maintain my three pawn advantage in positional considerations. How is any of this criminal? I finally missed a mate in 11 moves and then I missed a mate in 7 moves and then I capped it all off with a missed mate in 4 moves! How that happens is any ones guess? Yes, I won...a win is a win. I did dominated my opponent with 22 pawns worth of advantage by this time. However, it left me ill at ease. Peace be with you! So I am left here in my retirement wondering if I should continue to study my chess, read a book, go watch TV, cook supper, chat with friends on line, do some work in the garden (lawn), or forget everything and go to sleep. Decisions, decisions. I say this: "If today you hear His voice, harden not your heart". Peace be with you!
This is my third ship. She is the USS Hunley (AS-31) and I reported aboard her in August 1984. She was located at Site One, Holy Loch, Scotland. Site One is where the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN's) started their deterrence patrols from. This was during the bad old days of the cold war and the United States needed to keep the pressure on the Soviets. We did this by arming these submarines with nuclear tipped missiles...scaring the crap out of them because the boats (submarines) would disappear for 90 days and nobody knew where they actually were...not even the U.S. Navy. Now before you start calling on congressman...they were assigned patrol areas off the coast of Russia, but these area were large and the boat tiny, so nobody actually knew where they were. The Hunley was assigned as a tender to the submarines. This meant that she repaired, rearmed, replenished, outfitted, and supplied the boats. I was assigned to the Operations Department as a Quartermaster Second Class (QM2). I corrected the navigational charts and publications. I fixed and maintained navigational equipment. Mostly, I supplied the boats with charts and expertise. You see, I was a recognized leader in celestial navigation and the Quartermasters from the submarines wanted to learn how. It was a good job. 
