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At random: Probably the most expensive ballast ever carried by a ship was two tons of gold and eighteen tons of silver coins carried by the U.S. submarine TROUT while on a trip from Corregidor to Pearl Harbor early in World War II. TROUT had removed her moveable ballast to allow for a larger cargo of ammunition to be transported for the defenders on the embattled island. Lcdr. Fenno, TROUT's CO, planned on replacing the ballast with sand bags, but found none were available. The gold and silver from the Bank of the Philippines was substituted as ballast, which also solved the problem of removing the treasure to a safe place prior to invasion by the enemy.

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Pig

Posted 2023-07-01 5:55 PM (#103770)

Plankowner

Posts: 5024

Location: Gulfport, MS

Subject: Saturday Obits

BERGER, Wilbur R. “Will”, 80, of Port Charlotte, Florida died August 27, 2021 following a brief illness while he was being supported and loved by his brother and family. He was born in 1940 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania to the late Wilbur E. & Ida A. (Schweitzer) Berger and graduated from Coaldale High School in 1958. While at Coaldale High School, Will excelled in football and basketball, and was active in the Boy Scouts. His musical talent found him also playing in the Concert Band. Will’s love for adventure and travel led him to enlist in the Navy. He served honorably for six years during the Vietnam War on several submarines in both the Atlantic and Pacific waters; being stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He qualified in submarines in USS Grayback (SSG-574) and served aboard USS Archerfish (AGSS-311) from March 1961 until February 1962. He was an EM3(SS) when he left the Navy. A talented trumpet player, Will was a member of the Navy’s San Diego Drum and Bugle Corps while in boot camp and often proudly paid tribute to his fellow servicemen by playing Taps at many funerals. After a career in the Navy, Will was employed as Director of Sales for Lehigh Electric Products of Allentown, PA. In the early 1980’s he moved to Florida and continued his career drawing on his electric experience honed while in the Navy. Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, was his son Mathew Fargo and sister-in-law Nancy Berger. Surviving are his daughters, Jessica and Natalie Berger, both of Northport, Florida, and brother, Robert J. Berger of Syracuse, New York. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of Lexington Manor in Port Charlotte, Florida, for their excellent care while Will resided there for his final eight years. Friends and family are invited to gather on Thursday morning, July 6, 2023 in the Mountain View Cemetery, West Hazleton, PA for a graveside service that will begin at 10:00 AM followed by Military Honors and interment next to his parents. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Will’s memory can be made to a veteran’s organization of your choice. Krapf & Hughes Funeral Home – Crematory, Drums is assisting the family with arrangements.

RINGER, Larry Dean, 75, died at home in New Port Richey, FL on January 3, 2023. Born in Elyria, OH, he spent his childhood in Bexley, OH, graduating from Bexley High School 1966, where he was a member of the varsity swim team. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Franklin University. Most of his adult life was spent in Columbus, OH. In 2019 he moved to Florida to enjoy the warmer weather for his health. He proudly served four years in the United States Navy in submarines, as a sonar specialist. and was honorably discharged. He was employed by the State of Ohio as a labor relations officer and obtained a disability retirement. He had a photography business for years and loved the dark room and his craft. He always carried his camera, to capture the moment! He was the son of Robert T. and Jessie Rowe Ringer, and proud father of two cherished sons: Dustin Ringer, who preceded him in death, and survived by his son Nathaniel Ringer and two grandchildren: Savine and Ryland Ringer. He was the brother of James M. Ringer, Granite Springs, NY. Larry's love for the water continued throughout his life. He was national ranked TOP Ten for the master’s Swimming Program in his younger years and recently devoted himself to the mission of Captain Charles Kithcart a former member of an America's Cup Sailing Team. He was a staunch supporter of Charles's campaign to enter the first African American Team in the America's Cup Sailing Races to expose African Americans to rich history of the Black Mariner. In honor his unending support, Charles proclaims Larry as the as the America' Cup ADM Team Father. Larry will be fondly remembered forever by his friends as: the father who always shared his pride of his son, Nathaniel, who is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot for the US Army. He was the ultimate altruistic gentleman, who showed kindness and generosity to others, always putting other people's feelings first, and an empathic listener. His memorial Service will be held graveside on July 6, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Glen Rest Memorial Estate, 8029 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH. Memorial gifts can be sent to the charity of your choice or the son, Nathaniel Ringer. Posted online on June 30, 2023. Published in Columbus Dispatch

WARREN David Wayne, 75, peacefully left us to be with his Lord and Savior while surrounded by family members on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. David was born on November 22, 1947, in Macon, Georgia to the late David and Lois Warren. In his younger years, he honorably served his country in United States Navy as a Submariner. He went on to work in Civil Service before opening his own plant nursery, Georgia Trees. Another trade he was proficient in was construction, which he learned by way of his dad. David was also known for the trees he planted in the community and his 12-acre nursery. David enjoyed working with plants of all kinds, an interest piqued by his mom; he passed this love of plants and rocks to his grandson, Camden. He was a history buff who enjoyed watching The History Channel and a rock enthusiast who enjoyed collecting various rocks, minerals, and stones. He was also a hunter and found beauty everywhere in nature. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and loved gambling on a craps table. He especially loved spending time with his family. David will be dearly missed by all those who loved him. In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his brother, Elvin “Shorty” Warren, and his niece, Trinia Anderson Fountain. His memory will forever be treasured by his wife, Rhonda Warren; son, Jacque Warren (Breanna) and their son, Camden; sisters, Linda Anderson, and Wanda Warren; along with many other loving family members and friends. All services will be private, but please feel free to leave condolences on the tribute wall. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of David Warren to Genesis JOY House Home Shelter for Homeless Veterans and dependents at 501 Marshall Avenue, Warner Robins, GA 31093 or at https://genesisjoyhouse.com/. Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.

Pig

Posted 2023-07-01 6:30 PM (#103771 - in reply to #103770)

Plankowner

Posts: 5024

Location: Gulfport, MS

Subject: RE: Saturday Obits

Willy Berger was an Archerfish Shipmate in every sense of what the means to each of us. He and I left Archerfish in Guam on the same day (Feb 10, 1962), on the same airplane, with orders to the same place (The Antarctic). When we landed at Treasure sland for fuel, Willy got his seabag and said, "See you around, Pig, it's been a lot of fun." I asked him where he was going as our orders were to the See Bee Base in Davisville RI. He replied "One place I'm not going is the Antarctic. Right now, I'm going over to Mare Island and fast talk my way back aboard Grayback." That is the last time I ever saw him.

In honor of his memory, I share with you one of the many stories that made Archerfish the legend she still is. The place is Bangkok, Thailand. The time is August of 1961...

"Friday evening, we found out there would be kick-boxing at the large downtown arena. Willy Berger, Nasty Ness, and I decide that would be fun to watch. We planned to stay in town after the fights for a late dinner and we invited three of the girls from the compound at 41 Green Door to accompany us. The girls were hesitant at first as they were not normally taken out of the compound. After a lot of talking with Mamma san, it was finally agreed that the girls could go out for the evening. The girls were wearing typical Thai dresses and we were dressed in T-shirts, kang-ke-pray(er) pants and submarine sandals. The pants, a local custom, were one-size-fits-all, made of colored silk, and were kept up by tying the excess material in a knot at the waist.

When the cab let us out at the arena, we purchase tickets on front row center. The girls were impressed. They had never been inside the arena before, and now they were being escorted to the front row. As the first bout of the evening began it was obvious that very few people could afford to sit near the front. With the exception of an American couple on vacation with their two teenage daughters that were sitting next to Willy, the first three or four rows all the way around the ring were empty. On the other hand, the cheap seats were packed, and the noise was ear splitting.

Between bouts the American woman next to us decided to be sociable and attempted to draw Willy and his girl into a conversation. Willy tried to ignore her, and his Thai girlfriend didn't understand a word the woman was saying. The woman wouldn't give up. Nasty and I could tell that Willy was getting agitated. We waited for the explosion that was sure to come. She continued to pry "who do you work for, where are you staying, where are you from?" When she suggested that "It's wonderful to see American businessmen living overseas with their foreign wives, don't you think?" Berger had enough… "Look lady", he replied, "We ain’t American businessmen, we're submarine sailors, and these ain’t our wives, they are some whores we are living with while we're in port!"

The woman turned pale and almost fainted, the two teen-age girls stared wide-eyed at the other girls, and the husband wanted us all thrown out of the place for "exposing his family to such trash!"

By that time the Thai girls realized they were somehow the cause of the ruckus. They were not about to let the American tourists deny them their night on the town while being treated as respectable ladies. All three girls started hollering at the ushers that arrived at the demand of the offended husband. The girls had the advantage over the irate husband as the ushers for the arena could understand what they were saying. As a result, the American tourist and their teenage daughters were escorted out of the place, and we sat back down to watch the rest of the fights.

Apparently, the guy was so upset that he contacted the American Consulate, or the Ambassador, who contacted the Commanding General at the U.S. Air Force Base, who contacted the . . . Oh well, you know the drill. Thankfully Archerfish sailed two days later.

Ken (Pig) Henry

Runner485

Posted 2023-07-02 6:19 AM (#103773 - in reply to #103771)