August
2024
USS
SENNET (SS-408)
USS Sennet (SS-408) Newsletter
Our Next Sennet Reunion . . . What's "scuttlebutt"? Well it began as a naval term for rumors or gossip. The scuttlebutt was the drinking water barrel on the ship (scuttle means drill and a butt is a cask). When the crew would gather around the scuttlebutt for a drink, they would exchange rumors of the voyage. Today the scuttlebutt has been replaced by the water cooler as the place for gossip or just spinning a yarn. What's "spinning a yarn"? Well, originally it too was exclusively a nautical term only understood by sailors. Officers and mates in the old Navy were stern disciplinarians who believed if sailors were allowed to congregate and tell sea stories, no work would be done. However, there was one job that required the crew to congregate on a weekly basis -- unraveling the strands of old line. These strands were reused to make new lines and repairs. On this day, the salts could talk to their heart's content and the period came to be known as the time for "spinning yarns." Later anyone telling an exaggerated tale was said to be spinning a yarn. Just know that the Sennet Reunion Organization is running silent and deep to bring our crew together again - probably in 2025 and probably in Texas. Anything more than that would just be scuttlebutt and spinning a yarn. Just as soon as we get more information, we'll surface and send out a message, so you can plot your course to the reunion. A Three Part Test . . . Donations . . . Ship's Store . . . T-Shirts – Size XXL only - Navy blue shirts with the Sennet logo embroidered above the pocket and a submarine veteran screen print on the back - $22 Prices do not include postage. Contact Ralph Luther by email for availability and total cost. All revenue goes 100% into the Reunion Fund. Make checks payable to: USS Sennet SS-408 Reunion Fund and mail to: USS Sennet SS-408 How are you doing on that submarine question? If you answered the attack by Bushnell’s Turtle on HMS Eagle in 1776 in NY harbor, you are wrong on all counts. The Turtle was not officially a U.S. submarine, the Eagle was not sunk and it’s the wrong war. Try a later war. Eternal Patrol . . . Recently we learned of the passing of these shipmates: RM2(SS) Fred Hart, Jr. (1966-1968) departed August 27, 2023. We will remember our
other departed shipmates at our reunion Memorial Service. Think you have the answer to that submarine question? If you answered that the Hunley sunk the Housatonic in 1864 in Charleston harbor you are wrong on three counts. Hunley was a Confederate submarine, it’s the wrong war and the wrong location. Try again. Third time’s a charm. Binnacle List . . . These shipmates are facing some serious challenges and would like to hear from you. A simple email, card or phone call means so much to them. Find out more info about your friends on the Sennet web site page “Binnacle List.” RM2(SS) Robert J. “Bob” Mullin (1958-1960) has Alzheimer's and lives in a memory care facility in Rutland, VT. Cards or letters may be sent to his son, and he will share them with Bob. Still stuck on that submarine question? Here's a hint. U.S. submarines did not sink any warships in WW I. Now it should be easy. So . . . who was the first U.S. submarine to sink an enemy warship? When was it? And who did she sink? Pea Coats . . . I almost forgot to give you the answer to that three part submarine question. Just after WWII started, on January 27, 1942, the USS Gudgeon (SS-211) sunk the Japanese submarine I-73, becoming the first U.S. submarine to sink any type of enemy warship, and it happened to be another submarine . . . amazing! Green Board, Stan Pollard
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