USS Silversides WW2 Submarine Engine Start-up
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2018
- Main Diesel Engine Start-Up aboard the USS Silversides U.S. Navy World War 2 Gato Class Submarine in Muskegon Michigan during - A Day with the Crew (July 2018). Witness History come to Life on this Historic Submarine filled with World War 2 Living Historians.
silversidesmuseum.org/
Video By Heinz Thiel
World War 2 HRS Press Corps
www.worldwartwohrs.org/
It's great that they are able to run these engines. Most museum submarines are not kept in working order.
My father toured this boat during the Korean war when he was station in Japan. Then in 1980 I believe it was at Navy Pier in Chicago and he took me on the tour of it. Then after being at the Museum of Science and Industry for years it went to Michigan in the 1990's and my son was in grade school and his class took a field trip to it where they spent the night on it. Three of my generations have been on that boat. That's pretty cool.
For all guests of the silversides during and engine start, earplugs are offered. The reason earplugs are not worn by myself of the other engine room crew is because we need to be able to listen to the workings of the engine room. Yes, I know this seems counter intuative, but let me explain. The engines and equipment in the silversides are nearly 80 years old. They are not run day in and day out and require a ton of maintenance to get to what you see in the video. Therefore, when we run the engines we need to be able to catch an issue as quickly as possible before something is ruined. Examples of this are air leaks, engine misfires, or any other out of the ordinary mechanical noises. Gauges do not tell all! Although it may sound like quite a raquet in the video, after you spend time around the engines you can quickly pick up on any noises that are out of the ordinary. Earplugs and earmuffs muffle these noises and make them harder to catch. Now, does this make not wearing hearing protection a good thing? Of course not! But also keep in mind that we spend very little time running the engines, maybe 15 minutes at a time 6 or 7 times a year.
I would love to hear one of these FM opposed piston engines running from the engine bay and top side by the exhaust. How similar to the EMD 2 strokes is it? It already seems louder at idle (thought I saw a gauge at 250 RPM...)
You are one of the guys that keeps that beast alive?
Well I say anybody that questions your skill or thinking when it comes to that submarine is a dumbass.
1 What if engine broke a crank shaft and put a hole in block on this sub, can engine be removed without cutting a hole in sub!?
2 can engine be rebuild in place!? Seams really impossible!
@@hisexcellencytrump855 No. you need to cut the hull. After you remove everything. Although 2 stroke diesels have modernized in many ways. A two stroke is still a two stroke diesel. By the way the U boats ran 4 stroke engines. Do you know why?
@@michaeldobson8859 my only guess would be think its a sub application, a 4 cycle fires every other stroke , so it may save on air usage in some kinda emergency??
When I was younger my Boy Scout troop would take a trip here every two years for a tour and an overnight onboard the sub. I was about 10. I remember being so amazed with the complexity of the submarine. I sure miss those days.
You're in there working. It's hot, it's noisy. And someone on the outside of the boat is trying to blow you up. The silent service. Brave and committed.
It's an amazing design and build when all they had was paper and pencils to design and craftsmen to put them together. The men who willingly put up with the 24 hour noise and the discomfort of living in that environment are real heroes...
My dad was a gunners mate and sonar man on Silversides for her 12,13 and 14 patrols and he aboard when they took her out of commission. We went back in ‘91 for a reunion and I was able to hang out in the engine room during a start. These Fairbanks Morse are loud!
for 4 years when my boys were in Scouts, we spent a night on this sub as a scout activity. It was cool. The adults brought all of the appropriate movies, Enemy Below, U501, Run Silent, Run Deep, etc.
I can only imagine the thrill. My Grandfather was at Normandy and the fact that this magnificent ship still has a beating heart makes me think of him. Great job guys.
I will add this the craftsmanship back in the 40's or even before was ahead of it's time, made with NO computers, all designed by pencil and paper & slide rule. And it was built to LAST, even today's manufacturing could not make something this beautiful.
They still make them.
I spend 4 years of my life working on a drafting table with slide rules. My first sight of an electronic pocket calculator was an amazing moment of technological progress !
@@highwatercircutrider wish I had purchased Texas Instruments stock in 1978. Lol.
That may have been the most emotional video I have ever watched on you tube. My father and 3 of his brothers were Navy in WWII. the 4th was Merchant Marine. One uncle was an officer a Commander. I have the Sabre he was commissioned with.
One served in the Fleet Boats. He was a Pearl Harbor Survivor and went on to serve 30 in the Navy, retiring as Chief. He was an engineer and told a lot of stories. Some were downright scary. Hearing those F-M's light off was...well it was very special. Thank you.
These are 9-cylinder Fairbanks-Morse 38D 8-1/8 opposed piston diesel engines. The name comes from its bore- 8-1/8 inches. These engines have been in continuous production since 1938 and are still used in modern US submarines as auxiliary power plants. A smaller variety was also produced, with a 5-1/4 inch bore.
Mostly, the Virginia class is the first US submarine to not use them. So they are finally being replaced in newer boats.
@@tekcomputers Only because the engines won't fit the small mechanical room in the Virginia class.
The movies, documentaries, and books fail to capture how loud these motors were. Hearing this on the surface, or sweltering in stagnant air submerged...the dedication of American sailors was unmatched.
Unmatched, except perhaps for the dedication of the British and German sailors who also inhabited early diesel / electric boats.....
Not only American sailors went to sea in these machines....
My Dad served in WWII in a sub. He was a mechanic. This is so interesting to see what he might have worked in. Thank you!!
My Uncle Served on the USS Seadog, Balo Class, in WWII. He was 6' 3" and a Fireman.
I was fortunate to spend the night on this boat with my scout troop. Think it was 1988. I'm so happy to see the fundraising and restoration efforts continue to this day. Big thank you to everyone involved.
The sound of those Fairbanks/Morse diesels...brings back memories....USS GUDGEON SS567
Are those opposed piston 2-stroke engines?
It is interesting to see US Navy and Kriegsmarine uniforms side by side like that!
I can't even imagine what it was like serving on one of these vessels in a war time situation. Thank you guys for what you do.
Went through the boat a couple years ago. If you are a WW2 history buff this is a must see!
Incredible, that this was the incredible loud, smelly, cramped environment that the US Navy Submarines endured from the 1920’s through the 1960’s. These folks were indeed heros, every one, all ranks.
Actually into the 80's
@@larryzigler6812 Yup, all the way from the earliest boats which had no proper heads through the Fleet boats of WWII and up until the Moonbeam Navy took over with the nuke boats, the boats were cramped, often hot, noisy and smelly, no matter what. You got used to it. Remember, everybody smoked, showers were not a daily occurrence except for the mess cranks, and for long periods of time the same air was recirculated. It took real men with balls of steel to ride the boats.
@@The_DuMont_Network Actually was not that noisy unless you were in the engine room
Indeed, engine rooms were screamingly noisy. Then the rest of the boat - pumps, the thunks, gurgles and other noises in the piping, the water against the hull when we were surfaced, the list goes on. Trying to sleep when people were coming on or off watch, bullshitting, it wasn't like a boiler factory, but it wasn't quiet. Forward battery, control room, orders being given and repeated, always some kind of maintenance or evolution in either torpedo room. But I would give my front seat in hell to be back there with my old shipmates, The After Battery Rats. Not many left today.
@@The_DuMont_Network Your memory is faulty. I never slept better.
This is an amazing video, on so many levels. First off is the actual Fairbanks Morse engines. Once they started using those in the Fleet Boats, we had the best submarines in the world. Reliable, tough and would get you home if you gave them half a chance.
But, I'm not sure I could imagine being held down for 12-18 hours by Japanese ASW forces, the air stale, the CO2 levels near danger levels, and then having to do an Emergency Surface, get the engines started, and get all four of them online. They had to do all of that in just a couple of minutes.
Then, the Eau de Diesel, the Perfume of Choice of the Diesel Boat Sailor. Everyone and everything, including the food, was covered in it.
I suspect Tommy Cox would appreciate this. "Diesel Boats Forever!"
...and the Cleveland (Winton) / EMD's were every bit as reliable as the FM's. Love them, Both.
My father served on this sub. I was on a carrier.
Thank you both for your service and sacrifices
To call this AWESOME would be an understatement. Both my grandpas served on opposite sides in WW2 on submarines. My mom's dad was the skipper on a German sub in the Atlantic and my Father's dad served as an engineer on one of these Gato's and since I was a kid I was fascinated with these boats after both of them telling me all kinds of war stories. So restoring one of these boats to full operational condition has been a dream of mine my whole life and I was so happy watching this video. Definitely both thumbs up !!!
Awesome to have such grandparents. Shows how pointless wars are also
Hats off to the crews that ran/maintained these engines when it was operational. What a noisy/hot/smelly/claustrophobic job...
having been through this sub I think it is amazing that this boat still has running engines. its a national treasure
We may need it to defend home.
Being a "young guy" myself...so glad there is interest from folks not of the era in the history here...and truly excited about it. Better yet...a young engineer learning from the masters to take over looking after this keep sake. Love it!
Very nice to here the engines run, I was a torpedo man on the SS 396
Big respect for anyone who spent week operating these at sea.
"Rig for silent running!" "What?" "RIG FOR SILENT RUNNING!" "WHAT????" "RIG!!! FOR!!! SILENT!!! RUNNING!!!" "OH! I ALREADY DID!"
Most people are unaware that exposure to the loud sound of those engines can cause hearing loss. It is seen in two specific frequency ranges. (One of those ranges is where most women's voices fall. Yes, submariners are blessed in more ways than one by their service.) I am: MMC(SS). I was aboard USS Runner, SS-476 in the early 60's. Back then, though, I was just learning the 'ropes' as a MM3. Here's my favorite story from back then:
Sub sailing: 99% boredom and 1% sheer panic! Been there, done that. Loved it!
Boredom is VERY good when compared to any alternative you have no control over. On the boat, the ocean was waiting, just a few inches of hull away. It was not your friend. everything you did defied it. It wanted you to make THAT mistake...
The first time I ever saw the ocean (see if you can figure out how that happened...) was due east of Norfolk in the middle of the Gulf Stream. She was a Guppy-II diesel-electric honestly named "Runner", Hull 476. I was awakened at one AM by a watch stander, "Hey, mess cook, put this rope around your waist and follow me." He took me up to the sail, tied off the rope, opened a side door and said, "Step out there (pointing to the teak deck outside), I'm gonna hand you some garbage bags. You pitch 'em over the side." He had to keep hitting my shoulder to get my attention because there, right in front of me under a starlit sky (no moon) was the entire Atlantic Ocean. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
And then a wave broached the bow and soon enough, I was waist deep in it and thanking those stars for that rope! Indeed, the first time I ever saw the ocean, it tried to kill me.
Later I was told after the US gave the Runner to Turkey inexperienced sailors dived her with her hatches open. The Mediterranean killed them all. The Med is just what the Turks call their "ocean".
Boredom is to be savored, every minute of it. But I'll admit, the other times are when you feel most alive.
According to the Wikipedia article and another reference that I found, SS-476 was scrapped in 1973. However, another
Tench class submarine, SS-421, was sold to Turkey and its disposition is listed as unknown. Maybe that is the submarine sunk by Turkey?
I worked in a power plant for awhile and got hearing loss as you mention. I can not hear conversation in a bar or places with background noise.
@@MikeMcDonoughUS Mike, it's likely you are correct. Sub sailors tell apocryphal stories far too frequently. As I said, the disposition of the Runner was a story I heard.
@@TomJones-de5zd Tom, These days the reason you have hearing loss can likely be laid at your own feet. OSHA would have fried the plant operator if they didn't display hearing protection warnings and you should have heeded them.
You think that most people are unaware that loud noise causes hearing loss?
My Boy Scout troop spent a night on this submarine way back in 2001 or 2002. It was a cool experience that I'll never forget.
Same here a few years before it left Chicago. During the evening, some tourist fell off the dock next to the sub. He couldn't swim but some quick-thinking Webelos scouts got life preservers to him and pulled him out of the water.
I spent three days and nights on that sub on a boyscout camping trip to Chicago in the early 80s at Navy pier . glad to see it didn't go to the scrap yard!
Lots of history!
The old guy passing on the knowledge , Sweet.
I’m going to visit this memorial as soon as I can. I walked thru the COD in Cleveland once many years ago and it still is fresh in my mind. I’m a tool and die maker and seeing a small machine shop on board was very interesting to me. I’ve watched this video and hats off to all who made her new again and keep her new. Firing up those engines is music to my ears... a symphony. Great job to all involved.
I wish you could go thru the USS. Texas BB-35... she still has an operational machine shop that was used to train reservists...
I was an Engineman on Newport class LSTs. I was on the LaMoure County (LST-1194). I was intimately familiar with Fairbanks Morse diesel engines.
Wow, I was on that boat, on a tour 30 years ago. I never thought it engines could run. That is fairly special.
I visited the Silversides yesterday and had a great time. I would definitely volunteer my time, mechanical and engineering skills if I didn't live several states away.
God bless these dedicated people keeping history alive!
As an operations engineer at a hospital power-plant with some pretty big backup generator diesels, and having worked around heavy duty machinery and F-14 Tomcats in my professional life, I love the sound of smoothly running engines. They have a music all their own.
Both my Dad and his Dad serve on Gato class Subs. My grandpa in the Pacific in WW2 and my Dad in Vietnam. My Dad was an engine room mechanic.
As an old Navy vet,,, That was awsome!!!
That was some beautiful music. Thanks to you fine gentlemen for keeping that boat alive.
Just magical seeing and hearing those mechanical marvels firing up. Every diesel electric sub like a person had it's handmade and unique character. It is wonderful that so many Subs from WW2 are loved, preserved and open to the public throughout the world. Let us never lose these living pieces of history.
Brought back great feelings
My rack was in the after battery next to the hatch to ER1.
Fabulous! That old timer sure knows his way around and just super to see younger blokes taking an interest in the presevation of these magnificent machines.
So cool this boat can still run under her own power!
It can not dive.
Thank you to the old dinosaurs that are still with us that served on this boat. And kudos to the youngster in the orange shirt that is helping and learning all the info so he can keep things moving on!
Listen to that Fairbanks and Morse purr! 70+ years old and still runs like a top. DBF!
Kristopher Vires...... You're right, but they Never "purrred" quite as sweet as their GM/Cleveland/EMC/EMD counterparts did and still do. ; )
My grandfather served on the Silversides during ww2
they just started building a new one
This is a great museum
Old guy teaching a young man how to do it!!! Excellent... More need to learn!
Also great to see these younger men carrying on the history and operations of these awesome boats! Way to go men!
Lord I miss that sound!! I spent several years of my early life as an operator is Diesel power generation, running Fairbanks Morse OP's and conventional engines.
I don't know for sure but knowning like systems I really do not think so, The engines are free wheeling/ no load. They would get the engines up to temp and then close the switches to load the generators and if they did if there wasn't batteries to charge,,, and there isn't,,, you still wouldn't feel a load on the engines. A load bank,,, a giant toaster oven kind of thing on a trailer outside the boat,,, would be the way to load and test the generation of current.
DBF. Ex O Boat sailor
These Fairbanks-Morse 38 D 81/2 are still in today's US Navy nuclear subs including the new Virginia boats. Not as main propulsion of course, but as the auxiliary generator.
The virginias use caterpillar diesels
I was at the uss marlin and our tour guide played a clip of the diesel engines firing up and he said they were 6 time louder than what he played (which was super loud) and that there was 4 of those engines, needless to say he still has ringing ears. Absolutely fascinating
What a hoot!!!! Hubby served on Permit and Sailfish in late 60s. Great effort from
all of you super dedicated people!!!
I have been there several times but never got to here her run. That would have been awesome! I am so glad that she's taken such good care of! Thanks for the video!
I’m glad there’s guys like this in the world preserving historic hardware for future generations. Thank you!
Went through her back in the late 60s when was a teen , gotta do it again while I think I still can and really appreciate it. Thank you guys for fond memories 👍👍
I have visited the Bowfin in Pearl Harbour, the Pampanito in San Fransisco, and the Canadian Rainbow in Esquimault Harbour while still in commission and in active service the mid 70's. Fascinating boats. I asked the crew of the Bowfin if they ever ran the Diesels (V16 GM Winton Engines) and they said No they did not. The Bowfin is very well looked after as are most of the remaining boats on display, but what a special treat to be able to run the engines. I remember the TV Series Silent Service in the 50's and have discovered all the episodes on CZcams. Really interesting to see that the stories are real and fairly accurately told. Also great to see all the familiar actors of the era that were used. Fascinating history that needs to be preserved and told to all generations. BRAVO to all the volunteers that keep these boats in shape for visitors to enjoy.
My father served aboard diesel subs from 1946-1949. Some of those subs were the Blenny, Boarfish, and Sea Owl. He hated being coated in a film of sweat, salt, and diesel oil.
and drinking jacket cooling water... blech
Springbok295..... I'm glad that your dad was in the subs AFTER WW2 was over..., my dad was in from 1942 to 1946 and was on the DE 388 (Destroyer Escort) over in N. Africa, the back to the US and transferred on to a Destroyer in Sept.1944 and headed to the Pacific.... he passed away in 2015 at 93+ yrs old.
Yeah, my father is 92. He joined July 44 - Spring '53. He went to Great Lakes for his basic training. He never forgot the smell of diesel oil, the sting of battery acid or the stickiness from the salt water. By '53 he had had enough. He could've stayed in and gone to Annapolis as he was offered a slot to go there but he declined. He didn't want to go the Navy route, rather he went into academia instead. But he had quite an adventure. After all the years of what he and his fellow sailors were exposed to like asbestos, chemicals, radiation etc, it's amazing he made it this far. I have no doubt though in my mind that had there been an invasion of Japan he would most likely not be here. He was slated for Operation Olympic. @@Romans--bo7br
@@Springbok295.... Thanks for your reply. Glad to hear that you still have your dad with you... is his health still pretty good? Sounds like we're probably fairly close in age, considering the closeness of our dad's ages. I think your dad made a wise choice in getting out when he did.... and as you said, he may not be here now had he stayed in the Navy, and of course, neither would you.... so I'm sure you're most thankful for that, and I... wouldn't be "conversing" with you here on YT, either..... so, I'm thankful for that as well. ; )
He's ticking along thanks for asking. Our father's generation was the greatest this country ever had. Doubt we'll ever see one like theirs ever again. I remind him everytime we go out(he lives with me) to wear his Navy baseball cap to show off that he's a vet. It was hard to convince him to do that as he's not one to show off but I wanted folks to know he served and deserves respect from the public. Thankfully our society has given this current generation of vets the respect they deserve so I thought it important he advertise so to speak with his service nearly 70 years ago.@@Romans--bo7br
Watching this made my day. My dad serviced on the Bashaw and was an engineer, before moving to the nuclear program on SSN 575 commissioning crew. He loved to talk about his days on the diesel boats far more than the nukes. We toured the Clamagore in Charleston and he talked with a lot of love of those engines.
What a wonderful way to preserve the past.
Could go out and fight today,what a amazing well built piece of naval equipment
It is great to see Silverside's engine still work. I recalled asking that same question when Silverside was docked at Navy Pier for so many years, if the engine still run, and coordinator told it did not at that time. Nice that it found a new home. At least Chicago still have a German U505.
I too remember when it was docked at Navy Pier.
Hats off to everybody keeping this old girl alive ☺
Wow the complexity of these subs is amazing! So much that could go wrong. Great job guys!
I was stationed on the USS FLORIKAN ASR-9 (auxiliary submarine rescue) out of San Diego CA from 79 to 83 and was a second class engineman and the sound of the engines is music to my ears....we was told by the boys on the sewer pipe boats that there was two types of ships... submarines and targets.....if they knew what I knew about being rescued from one of them....they would not go down.
A great movie, once I used to sail on Fokstrot submarines (641), I went through the science from a sailor in the specialty of a motorist to the head of a motor group. You have a great job of operating the old diesel engine on such an old submarine museum. CONGRATULATIONS.
USS Threadfin SS410...60's and 70's. Absolutely loved the drone of those Fairbanks Morse engines underway...sigh:) Thanks!
Michael Cuff says it's time to adjust the valves. Well, FM opposed piston engines have no valves. One of the beauties of the design.
Two strokes just don’t use valves they use ports.
@@michaeldobson8859.... Little gasoline powered 2 strokes (loop scavenged), don't..... but Low, Medium and high speed 2 cycle diesels (single acting / uniflow design), like ie; Wartzilla-Sulzer, EMD, Detroit Diesel (low, medium & high speed classes), just to name a few, All use exhaust valves, just as any 4 cycle would. The intake / scavenging, is effected through a ring of ports in the cylinder liner. The only 2 cycle Detroit Diesel that used ports for intake & exhaust, was the Series 51 (2 & 4 cylinder versions).
Ear plugs, or even headsets, would be great for someone to get these guys, Scotts probably the only one that doesnt have hearing issues yet, maybe, but he will soon enough.
I can only imagine about how good topside felt after a week of day in, day out. I love these big engines but that is something else. All 4 of them running would be unimaginable.
actually while underwater they would switch to batteries
Beautiful to see such a submarine still in existence and fully operational.
I've been fortunate enough to see this in person. Even got a ride out on Lake Michigan one day. R.I.P. Dave Perkins
One more reason(agility; lack of fear) to have young men at war. Although, at 77, I would rather see old men at war. Many thanks to the men who had the knowledge to contribute to this film. History! Thank you.
pianoboy Is life so dear or peace so sweet to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me.....
Think back to all those submarine movies you've seen. Remember all the scenes where the boat was under way on Diesel power and the crew was sitting around the engineering spaces having calm discussions about the girl back home? Only in Hollywood. I have a couple of friends that served on Diesel Electric boats and they're all partially deaf.
While Down Periscope is close to being a documentary, that is one thing I let go of; the crew talking in the engine room 😂
It’s nice the veterans still get to be a part of this boats life. That’s special. :)
the crews were young people like the one in the video. thank u for your service
I was a kid when she got towed into Muskegon and saw her every year since. Nice to see her run
Had to insert earplugs in the ears under earphones, I can almost smell the diesel and hot oil. It's like I was there. 👍😀
Can you also smell the seamen
Man , I have so much more respect for the engineers that had to operate these in war times. Maybe they were our greatest generation .
My oldest brother was an Engineman and served aboard the USS Rock SSR 274.
Good to you guys keeping that boat alive. Thank you.
That looks like a Monumental amount of hard work, dedication and skill to keep that beast alive and presentable.
Awesome vid. Thanks for sharing. Lot's of excited crew members!
20 boats of this class are still "on patrol". RIP.
Gato class subs have all been retired by the USN and have been for decades. They were already obsolete by the end of WWII.
@@thembtking I believe the "on patrol" means they never returned to base.
@@thembtking whooosh
You can still hear the airplane of thought that blew over his head.
I work on tug boats. Last time I saw a running Fairbanks engine was in the late 80’s. Pretty cool guys !!!
We run ours on a regular basis on my tug. (Cheyenne)
This is truly great to see her restored and even running! I remember as a kid hearing about the Silversides sinking while she was tied up at Chicago's Navy Pier back in the mid to late 1980's!
I remember when the Silversides was in Chicago in 74-75 and I was a volunteer helping to restore her. It was a labor of joy one can call leisure as it was pleasureful work. I have always enjoyed the underwater realm since living in Puerto Rico from 1958-65 and scuba diving the reefs was exciting then. I believe that the Cavalla in Galveston at Seawolf Park still has a training torpedo from the Silversides. I met the final Captain and executive officer who passed away after we met.
Thank you so very much for working on the silver sides, I know a lot of people young and old who really enjoy the tours. My father served in the submarine service during World War II and was able to take a couple trips down 2 show us what he used to do. So thanks again
I remember visitying this sub when I was little. It's a 20 minute drive from me. I should visit again.
Cool isn’t a strong enough word. Awesome!! Thank you for posting
Love this video and the history is preserved.
Thank you for this ! It was an incredible video !
Amazing, thanks for sharing. My grandad was on British subs in the First World War. Steam powered, he was a stoker, pretty brave guys on the subs... Andy UK
Took my son and his cub scout troop on a tour and spent the night on the Silversides 20 years ago. My sleeping bag still smells like diesel. Great that they're putting the girl back into working order.
This is a truly wonderful video. Thank you Sir!
Awesome to see the diesels in action. I toured the boat last summer and it was a definite highlight of the trip!
I am a true lover of the Fairbanks Morse engine weather submarines major shipping or a locomotives great engine design thank you very much for sharing
Absolutely fantastic! Always love hearing a Fairbanks Morse running!
Gimme a Blackstone every time.......or Merlees.....Napier Deltic if you can find one!