Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I read the Spring 2004 issue today while doing Docent duty on USS Pampanito (SS-383), the museum submarine in San Francisco. I am a former submariner having served on USS Torsk (SS-423), USS Andrew Jackson (SSBN-619)(G) and USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628)(B) from 1963 to 1969. The article on Tom Nutter on page 11 was of particular interest since I served with him on USS Torsk during the period 1963 to 1965. I would like to personally add my congratulations to him in recognition of his outstanding service. Eric Schaefer, LT, USN (Ret.) As a 1st Class STS, it was good to see an article applauding the top-notch personnel that run the ACINT program. The knowledge and experience that these men bring to the submarine fleet surpasses anything the average sonarman would learn from a book. I hope that this program continues on as long as there is a submarine fleet. Thank you to all those people that are willing to give their lives to ensuring that the U.S. Navy maintains its undersea superiority. STS1/SS Williams Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego	I particularly enjoyed the historical articles on WWII supply missions and loss of S-5. Note that Savvy Cooke lost his boat but was exonerated, stayed in subs, and ultimately made admiral. Some contrast to the current practice where COs are summarily relieved because of a superior officer’s “loss of confidence.” One nitpick for “Saviors and Suppliers” by Thomas Holian re: caption of Narwhal photo on page 25. Narwhal was modernized between December 1942 and April 1943, as part of which she received four brand new GM 16-278A “top of the line” engines, so they could hardly have been “ancient and rickety” as described. John Alden, CDR, USN (Ret.) CDR Alden, Thank you for your feedback. As you have correctly pointed out, Narwhal had received a badly needed overhaul by early 1943. As part of the overhaul, her "ancient and rickety" M.A.N. engines were replaced by GM 16-278A engines at that time. As you note in "The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy," these were rated at 1,600 horsepower at 750 revolutions per minute.

In keeping with UNDERSEA WARFARE Magazine’s charter as the Official Magazine of the U.S. Submarine Force, we welcome letters to the editor, questions relating to articles that have appeared in previous issues, and insights and “lessons learned” from the fleet. UNDERSEA WARFARE Magazine reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, and accuracy. All submissions become the property of UNDERSEA WARFARE Magazine and may be published in all media. Please include pertinent contact information with submissions.	Send submissions to: underseawarfare@navy.mil or Military Editor Undersea Warfare CNO N77 2000 Navy Pentagon Washington, DC 20350-2000

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,