Jim Santos recalls sea sick time on Helm in Storm in 1967

Since 12-03-04

Well, after all these years, this came to mind.   I recall being on the Helm Watch in the Conning Tower of USS Diodon (SS-349) during a surface run in very rough storm conditions during WestPac 1967.

It was so rough with the rolling back and forth in the Conning Tower that I became quite sea sick.  Unusual for me, but not that time!  I requested relief so I could get the the After Battery head, but that took all too long in my anguished mind.

Finally, someone relieved me and scurried down the ladder to the Control Room and made my way quickly back to the AB head.  Of course there was a line to use the head!

I was vainly trying not to vomit all over the deck and my shipmates.  Finally, I got into the head and let it all out!

To this day, I do not know how I held that rumbling, tumbling explosion in my stomach all that time.  I recall that if I made a big, smelly, chunky mess on the deck that I would have to clean it up.

That ordeal would be worse yet, with the odor and vision of lunch regurgitated, I would have gotten sick and dumped out all  over it again!

I made it back to the Conning Tower and finished my watch.

That is all!

Green Board and DBF!!

Jim Santos