ETR2(SS) Roy Richards 
Remembers Diodon
1962 - 1964

Jim:

Great web site, you have spent a lot of time that we all appreciate. 

I was on the Diodon 1962 to Jan 1964 as an ETR2(SS).  Here is a picture of the Diodon at Yokosuka in 1963 prior to a West PAC cruise after it left of the Yards at Hunters Point with a Guppy II fit.

I went through the dock fire there on the Diodon and watched a fire truck which was overcome with smoke and wouldn't start go through the pier. We had trouble putting out the fires because they were burning under the docks and we couldn't get water to them. I helped chop the lines with axes to set the boat free as the pier was burning.

Also remember rescuing a cadaver grandfather and live grandson from a sailboat incident off San Diego, chasing a Russian submarine out of San Diego bay after playing with it with two US tin cans for two days, and passing test depth in an all back emergency high angle state on a dependents cruise because the forward torpedo tubes were flooded and not compensated for. The dependents thought that it was great fun. Needless to say We were somewhat Concerned! [See Bill Kislingbury's story below on the high down angle incident - Web-Master's note 10-03-04]

Stood watch with Winehart many times and remember some great conversations.

Thanks again for all your good work.

Roy Richards

Click thumbnail for larger photo

Bill Kislingbury recalls exciting Dependents Cruise in August 1964
(New 10-03-04)