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Tour of duty in WW II Subs

Author: Thomas Graves (---.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net)
Date: 07-07-05 00:04

My Grandfather, Clarence Mahon, was born in late December, 1900. He served in subs from 1917 until about halfway through WWII. He was a radioman on USS Searaven (196) before and during part of WWII.
He was posted to a surface ship (or land duty?) when he reached a certain age (or perhaps when he had served a specified amount of time all-together in submarines?). (He was always in excellent health and he eventually rose to the rank or Chief Petty Officer, then was promoted to Lt. jg, and then requested that he be returned to his Chief Petty Officer position!) Can anyone please tell me what the Navy's policy was on the issue of a sailor's length of tour of duty on subs during WW II so I can figure out when he left the Searaven? Thanks.

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Re: Tour of duty in WW II Subs

Author: Patrick O'Connor (---.bay.webtv.net)
Date: 12-25-05 12:34

From what I've read, 5 patrols was normal, but many went on for more (one officer was on 17 war patrols!). Successful commanders were sent for a rest after 5 patrols, and maybe on to new construction.

Apparently there was no age limit (at least at the start of the war); on at least one patrl, a CPO was retired from active duty when he reached 62!

I would assume specialists like radiomen would be rotated as well, some to other boats, some to shore duty.

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Re: Tour of duty in WW II Subs

Author: paul w canon (---.sbtnvt.adelphia.net)
Date: 03-01-06 22:53

how dow you now if there is anything below you if you was to go to the bottom and set down there

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You don't know!

Author: Bob 'Flapper' Paker (---.tcsn.qwest.net)
Date: 05-24-06 19:30

"how dow you now if there is anything below you if you was to go to the bottom and set down there"

Unlike in some movies, or in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Navy submarines didn't have any view windows or such. You have a fathometer which indicates depth of water under the keel, but you'd have no idea if you were settling onto soft bottom, a wreck, a big rock, or - heaven forbid - a mine.

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Re: You don't know!

Author: Patrick O'Connor (---.bay.webtv.net)
Date: 07-09-06 00:01

Yeah, setting down on a mine could ruin your whole day! :)

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Re: You don't know!

Author: Larry Kemling (---.ph.ph.cox.net)
Date: 07-28-06 21:41

Gentleman'
Mine's didn't normally lie on the bottom. lol

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Re: Tour of duty in WW II Subs

Author: Seymour Phillips (---.sd.sd.cox.net)
Date: 08-13-06 03:04

The Navy did not have any specfic time frames of duty to be served. If you wanted to be transferred out, to go into a relief crew or whatever, you just had to make a request. No questions asked........Seymour Phillips

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Re: You don't know!

Author: Patrick O'Connor (---.bay.webtv.net)
Date: 08-21-06 00:26

Back in WWII, true. But today one of the nastiest mines in the USN aresenal is a 'mine' made from an older torpedo; it sits on the bottom until activated, is aousticaly aimed, and can be programedto ignore al but certain shiops, or to ignore the firt 10 or so ships to go by, then attack # 11 after activation...THAT is a weapon that can ruin your whole day...

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