An Electrician''s job is never done! Buffing up shore power connections on the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) alongside the pier in Subic Bay, Olongapo, Philippines - 1984
Every one of the crew of the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) spent a few minutes sitting on the stern in the middle of the night on a long and boring duty day, staring out across the harbor, pining for wives or sweethearts, and wishing they were somewhere else. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - 1982
A sailor has a reputation in port, justly deserved for the most part, but traveling the seven seas on the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680), we all found time to appreciate the scenery and sunsets. Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territories. - 1983
The USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) tied up at the Royal Australian Navy''s Rockingham facility on our visit to Perth, Western Australia during Westpac 83-84. - 1983
The bridge crew scans the horizon as darkness falls on the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) surface transiting the Gulf of Siam. - 1982
The Avalon (DSRV 2) is lowered into her cradle on the back of the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) in preparation for sea qualifications. San Diego, California -1983
Were there any of you that could have made it through a Spec Op without a supply of good books?
I couldn't have survived without my friends Robert Ludlum, Fredrick Forsythe, Trevanian, William Diehl, Larry Niven, J.R.R Tolkien, and countless others. Anyone who could spin a good yarn was on my 'most-wanted' list, and I collected books everywhere.
Part of my pre-Westpac ritual was scouring the used bookstores around San Diego, looking for new titles. I'd take the mattress out of my bunk pan, and line it with a layer or two of used paperbacks. Drop the mattress back in, and presto, instant stealth library. I'd lose an inch or two of space above the mattress, but as long as I could turn over, it was worth the price.
I wonder how many hours I spent lying in my bunk, light on, headphones plugged into a little Walkman cassette player, with a paperback wedged between the bunk above me and my breastbone. I didn't keep a total, but every hour lost in another world, fictional or not, was an hour away from the boat, even when tomorrow would be the same as the last 59 days.
We've tried to list the good ones here - books that give some insight into the world of submarine intel ops, submarine life in general, man and the sea, and even fiction that helps communicate what it was like, fighting a long Cold War, alone and away from home.
If you're looking to buy these books, click on the images, and they will take you to Amazon.com. Amazon pays a commission for every book you buy through this site, so shop here and help support the site. We'll all be glad you did.
To add a book to the list or to submit a book review for publication, please contact the Site Administrator.