NEWSLETTER #92 JANUARY 2021

  USS ALBACORE (AGSS 569)

NEWSLETTER #92

January 2021

Shipmate,

            This is a pretty lame newsletter. Thanks to the Corona Virus, my opportunities to travel up to the museum and interact with Executive Director Patti Violette, PSMA Board of Directors members and other shipmates have dried up. Looking at being quarantined for two weeks to hold a two hour meeting did not make sense. 

            Even with the shutdown now in progress, work continues  at the museum on developing a Remote Learning capability. An intern will be working  on this project with UNH in February and March when they return from winter break.  A second intern will be looking at the museum store and organizing it to take into account the COVID  spacing requirements.

            Even though the museum is shutdown, there are three lectures coming up in the following months. All will be on Zoom. The First will be on March 25th: “Thirteen Days in October: The Untold Cuban Missile Crisis Story”.  The second will be on April 8th: “The Finest Hours: The True Story Behind the US Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue -1952’s oil tanker disaster off Cape Cod. Finally, on April 17: Vietnam Video and Discussion.  Look for the first press release and log-in details mid-February. 

            Depending upon receiving funding through the Payroll Protection Program, Patti is hoping to bring back staff members during the shutdown period to tackle specific projects. During the short open season last fall, there was no reported case from the museum of COVID due to visitation. One staff member did test positive but it was determined to be from an outside source. Patti would like to be able to reopen the Park in March but May is a more realistic time with July hopefully the latest. All depends on vaccine availability and people receiving their shots.

            As informed by his daughter Kristin, I regret to report that shipmate William Elias departed on Eternal Patrol on November 16, 2020. Bill served on Albacore in the late 50’s and into the early 60’s. And Jack Young’s daughter Jody reported his 27 November 2020 departure on Eternal Patrol at the age of 91. Jack was an EN2(SS) when on Albacore in1955-1956. Finally, Plank owner John Danes went on Eternal Patrol on 23 December. John was a RMSN when on Albacore from 1953 to 1955. 

Shipmate Joseph Henderson has surfaced and can be contacted at 102 Riverwalk Avenue, Brunswick, GA 31523 or by email at JRM6567@att.net. Joe was an officer on Albacore at decommissioned and later retired as a Commander according to his son Michael.

Until next time, shipmate, stay safe and stay healthy. The vaccines are here!

Jack Hunter

11 Admiralty Drive, Apt 3

Middletown, RI 02842-6254

(401) 849-7282

“jhunter2007@cox.net