Best Moment I then transferred to the ALBACORE in the shipyard in Kittery, Maine in June 1962. How many sub sailors have had the opportunity to be on a boat with "dive brakes," and "Air Force B-59 Drag Chutes" to slow them down in high speed operations, and can't go to sea more than a few days because they have to come back to home port to recharge the Silver Nitrate batteries!
Worst Moment I wasn't very happy when I got my orders because I had joined the Navy to "See the World" and the ALBACORE was in the shipyard about two miles from my home in Eliot, Maine. However, I decided to move into the barracks at the Shipyard rather than living at home with my parents to feel a little more independent. The ALBACORE already had a Yeoman Striker on board, so I was assigned to the Deck Department. Because of the shortage of Seaman on board, I had to do another tour at Mess Cooking even though I was already Qualified in Submarines. One time we made a trip to operate in the New London, Connecticut area and had to be towed into the pier at the SUBASE for repairs. Needless to say that was a little embarrassing!
Other Memories We did have some neat port visits at Bar Harbor, Maine during a Lobster Festival and Salem, Mass. for the Witchcraft festival while on ALBACORE and the Liberty was great in both places.