USS ALBACORE (AGSS 569)

NEWSLETTER #91

November 2020

Shipmate,

The Covid -19 pandemic has really disrupted my ability to gather anything of significance with which to fill this newsletter. Normally, we would be having monthly meetings of the Albacore Shipmates (formerly Friends of Albacore) at the Park where we would get the latest information on Park happenings. Trips to Portsmouth (and the subsequent two week quarantine) kind of puts the kibosh on my out-of-state travel as of last March.

I had planned to travel to Portsmouth on the 12th of this month to attend the Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association’s annual meeting. There is always a lot of good information coming out of this meeting but this year’s gathering was postponed at the last minute due to a resurgence of the virus. No date has been set for the meeting.

One project PSMA has in the works is getting highway signs that advertise the museum at Albacore Park. After several exchanges of ideas, New Hampshire Logos LLC has submitted a draft logo that could appear in one of two suggested colors. The logo design has been approved. No date for installation has been set.

Another project is to patch up the front (near) section of the parking lot. New England Paving began working on the 16th sawing out holes and patching/sealing each one.

The ever persistent birds were at it again this fall. Nesting material had to be removed from the starboard side outside the screens over the limber holes. The below right photo answers the question: “How many men does it take to put up a ladder?”

Once again this year, Albacore Park will participate in the Wreaths Across America Day program beginning at 1200 on Saturday, December 19th. Due to the virus, Albacore Park will host a small non-public ceremony on site at the Park. They will video the ceremony and it will be made available on our website at www.ussalbacore.org. It will also be broadcast live on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/USS-Albacore-Submarine-and-Museum-190114764381681.

Executive Director Patti Violette has begun to look at 2021 for events and will host a Winter Lecture series online. NH Humanities To-Go program will pay for 2-3 presenters and it's all digital. The topics chosen:

1. Vietnam: Video and Discussion with Video clips are from Ken Burns' PBS documentary

2. Thirteen Days in October: The Untold Cuban Missile Crisis Story with Michael Tougias

3. From Guns to Gramophones: Civil War and the Technology that Shaped America with Carrie Brown.

These lectures will take place February/March.

I regret to inform you that shipmate Robert Rowe departed on Eternal Patrol on 24 October 2018 according to his son Dean. Robert was an EM1 when on Albacore in the late 60s/early 70s. Robert served in the Navy for 21-1/2 years before retiring on 2 November 1979. Additionally, Frederick ‘Doc’ Conroy departed on Eternal Patrol according to his daughter Teresa in 2015. Doc was on Albacore in the early 70’s.

Shipmate Ted Davis has relocated to 4100 Monument Corner Drive Suite 130, Fairfax, VA 22030-8610. Shipmate Walt Murphy has moved to 527 Cottenseed Run, Martindale, TX 78656, email is now Murwaltlee@gmail.com.

Until next time, shipmate, stay safe and stay healthy. May 2021 see a successful vaccine become widely available.

Jack Hunter

11 Admiralty Drive, Apt 3

Middletown, RI 02842-6254

(401) 849-7282

“jhunter2007@cox.net

NEWSLETTER #91 NOVEMBER 2020