Any truth to the rumour that you folks take secret runs down the bay on given weekends? If that be the case, let us know so that we may stay a bit closer to shore during such times. Wouldn't want to re-create a scenario I had on a YTM and a nearly head-on Fast Attack sub on a very foggy Cooper River day. Soemthings you just never forget. Best Regards from one of the volunteer crew aboard the 1906 Steam Tug BALTIMORE just across the harbour. Cheers! http://www.steamtug.org
I really appreciate the effort that was put forth to present this. I served on the Torsk in the late 1950s
I'm very proud to be one of your radio contacts from the restored Radio Room on board the USS Torsk. I really enjoyed the CW contact on 3/5/2005 from NK3ST. Thanks Nick. Superb Website. Congratulations!
Was on board her in Key West 1961 Briefly.
Wow! This is an awesome site you've got here! My grandfather, Frederick Edwards, was CO on the Torsk from 1963 to 1965. I love all these pictures! I got to visit the Torsk when i went to Baltimore last weekend and being able to see where my grandpa lived for two years was amazing! Thank you so much for helping me continue my research on the USS Torsk.
Very impressive.
Great site. Nice to see the Orion is still providing for her subs!
What a great site!! Just wanted to let you know my grandfather, Rue Castleberry(Served on the First Crew..when The Torsk was brand new) just passed away on March 20,2005. He was proud of the condition it was in when he re-boarded her in MD a few years back....I hope to visit you all this summer and brinf some Wish List items to keep up the great work you're doing....Thanks for all you do!
I was an instrument man (2/class) aboard Orion in 68-70 the pictures of the old girl on your site are great to see but very sad. Im glad you are preserving Torsk, the old ships deserve better fates than they usually get. I also was aboard the carrier Lexington, now a museum in Texas, I visited her and it was a great feeling. thaanks for helping preserve the history.
I commend you all in your efforts to keep the memories alive. My father served aboard her from 63-67. The real joy I felt was seeing a photograph of my dad (Terry Shaffer) in 1966 at a cafe in Rome. I hope to take him to see the 'ol girl someday soon.
great site served in torsk 6yrs in the 60s
GREAT SITE, AND BRINGS BACK MANY GOOD MEMORIES. SEVERED ON HER AS A COOK, FROM LATE 1952 THRU MAY OF 1954. HOPE TO COME VISIT HER IN BALTIMORE, REAL SOON. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, OF PRESERVING SOME OF OUR MILITARY PAST.
I am the granddaughter of the man who named the engine gear SUSAN! its so exciting to know my family will always be part of the TORSK.
The website is great, the boat is a magnificent example of American naval history, a wonderful tourist attraction and I am proud to have had a part in her past. I served on the Torsk in 1957,58 and 59. I was a temporary cook when Lambert came down with appendicitis just before our 1957 NATO cruise. I didn't make many friends, while cooking, but they are always nice to the cook. When Lambert returned and I was relieved as cook, the crew was also quite relieved and then they got even ! What a wonderful 3 years.
Perhaps you can assist me in obtaining any information re one Chief Warrent Torpedoman Al McNiff. Al was a member of the Orion's ships company during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec 7, 1941. He and Mrs. McNiff were neighbors and close friends of my family in the 1930s and '40s. We lost track of them as the war progressed. I don't even know if Al survived the war or not. I was 11 years old the last time I saw Al. I am now pushing 76. Appreciate any assistance you can give me. George L. Pierce Jr. Former FC2 USN 1949-1953
I was a member of the Maryland Naval Militia in 1972 and helped bring the USS Torsk to Baltimore. Several of us drove to Portsmith, Va. and met the US Army tug crew that towed the Torsk up the Cheaspeake to Baltimore. Those of us from the Militia actually rode the Torsk. The morning we arrived in Baltimore we were met by several small boats that escorted us to the pier. As we entered the harbor, I climbed to the top of the sail and place a broom there for another clean sweep for the USS Torsk. A tradition of the US Navy. Right after that I when into the US Navy and made a career of it. Retired after 22 Years as a Senior Chief Damage Controlman (Surface Warfare Specialist) 1994.
My Uncle, Robert S. Smith LT/JG U.S.N.R., served on the USS Torsk from her commissioning in 1944 until his discharge from the Navy in 1946. "Uncle Bob" passed away on Jan 2nd 2006 after a long and fullfilling life. He did get to visit the USS Torsk in MD and it brought back a flood of memories from his service to our country. I would like to thank everyone involved in preserving the USS Torsk and the memories of the men who served in the submarine service. This is a wonderful web site and I look forward to visiting the USS Torsk in the near future.
Very nice web site. I was stationed on the Torsk for 2 weeks in 1953 while waiting for my assigned duty station, The USS Tirante SS420 to return to New London. A few years ago (Approx 6)my wife, son and I were in Baltimore for a meeting. While walking around the harbor I spotted the Torsk. What a thrill to take them aboard and explain how things worked. It is amazing what you can remember after 50 years. There were about 10 or so people that stayed with us listening to my description in each compartment. It was a fun time for all, especially me.
GREAT WEBSITE,I WISH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT IT EARLIER I WAS JUST IN BALTIMORE IN NOV.2005.I SERVED ON THE USS TORSK 1958 THRU 1960,ELECTRICIAN'S MATE 3RD CLASS.
Terrific Site. Thanks for all the hard work it took to put this together!
Excellent site. Hope to visit the ship someday as my grandfather was a "Plankowner". CQM Orbra P. Liggett.
Your site is A1. I am looking for anyone with memories of my dad William L. Williams, he was a reservist served from 48-50? weekend warrior out of New London. I was Navy and then Merchant Marine, so is my son. My dads brother Roy Williams ended up a Captain- but my dad was most likely a deckhand. Any one remembering him please contact me at robertrswwilliams@yahoo.com I would appreciate that! Robert Williams
This is almost like going back to the 60s. I am so sorry I didn't take pictures back in those days. The memories these pictures bring back are flashing through my mind with every one that I see. Those were the fun days for all us diesel boat sailors. The young men sailing the new boats today can never have the fun we had, they would be thrown out of the navy for doing the things we did. While they sail the newest we sailed the finest. Thank you for bring back memories of times past and good friends. Today I have the sad honor of attending the funeral of a departed shipmate and there can be no new ones to take his place. Our ranks are thinning and cannot be replaced. Thank you so much for the memories, Joe Garrett TMCM(SS) USS Hardhead (ss365),USS Hake (ss256) and USS Angler (ss240)
Visited the Torsk yesterday. I really enjoyed the tour - the boat seems well maintained and the volunteers I met were very informative and friendly. When they found out that I was a submarine sailor they took me into the conning tower and let me look though the periscope. I also got to sound the diving alarm. I have visited all the websites for boats that are available for tours as I am working on a guide to all the boats. This website is the best I've seen and I know it takes a lot of work to maintain it.
Thanks again for a great visit.
Was in the Maryland Naval Militia From 1970-1973.helped clean up and restore the USS Torsk. Looking for information of local ships that we may of worked on down in Baltimore
Dear organizers of this project and this site, I visited USS Torsk on Saturday when I had a day off after the Physics Conference. When chatting a bit with the guy on watch (around 1 pm or so; wore a camouflage jacket with German patch sewed on), he told me that earlier that day submariners had visited the boat, and that they'd have loved to talk to me. This because I am Christoph, son of Ludwig v. Friedeburg, the youngest sub commander of WWII (sadly, on the starkly wrong side in terms of morale), and grandson to Gen. Admiral von Friedeburg, last CO of the deceasing Nazi-German Marine, who co-signed the instruments of surrender. To make it clear - I am NOT a Nazi or far right guy and detest the neonazis runnding around eg in some east German villages. I am working for a publisher and have many friends all over the globe. So if you want to write me - just go ahead! All the best Christoph
NICE SITE KEEP IT UP OK
A reminder of the old days. USS Thornback SS418.