one more from the Cavalla, plus . . .

When Bill was in the navy, he was a machinist on board the submarine tender, U.S.S. Sperry. So when I saw this machinist’s lathe on the submarine Cavalla, I had to draw it! I remember Bill coming home from the ship with wee bits of metal shavings stuck to his uniform — going barefooted was risky! But he enjoyed the creativity involved in making repair parts for submarines, many times succeeding when his chief said it couldn’t be done!

This is the final two-page spread in the single-signature sketchbook I made of smooth Bristol paper. It records memory sketches from Battleship Texas, the Cavalla, and the very last sketch is from the only photo I remembered to take on the U.S.S. Stewart, a destroyer escort. This little book is for Bill . . .

. . . and after so many ink sketches in a row, I am So Ready to get back to watercolor!

U.S.S. Cavalla, part 3

The junior officer’s berthing on the left was already posted previously, but on the right I have added a very confusing ink sketch of the control room aboard the Cavalla submarine. At least that’s what I’m calling it; not sure what the Navy calls it. I think I only got half of the dials and levers in!

Up the ladder was the bridge, periscopes, and attack center — at least that’s what the sign read — but the way was blocked. Causing a wee grump out of Bill, who wanted to go up there.

U.S.S. Cavalla, part 2

 

So how would you like to bunk atop a torpedo? On this World War II submarine, as on most subs, bedding was crammed in every available space. I like the complicated table in the officers’ mess, drawn on the above right page. Apparently it was also used to study maps or charts.

This is one of the junior officers’ quarters. There were two beds n this long, narrow space with a desk at each end. My eyes went immediately to the gorgeous leather-bound journal laying on the pillow!

U.S.S. Cavalla

Seawolf Park on Pelican Island, next to Galveston, is the permanent home of the U.S.S. Cavalla, a World War II submarine of the Gato class. It is similar in size to the U.S.S. Seawolf, a Sargo class submarine that the park is named for. The Seawolf was lost at sea, probably under friendly fire.

Bill served on a submarine tender in the 1970s, and worked on many WW II subs as well as newer nuclear subs. He had been aboard them many times, machining specially-fit replacement parts, but this is the first time I’ve been on one.

Battleship Texas, part 3

Just a couple more sketches from the U.S.S. Texas battleship . . .

The bell from the original Battleship Texas is below decks. The second Texas still retains her bell hanging in place above decks. The first Texas was commissioned in 1895; she was renamed San Marcos in 1911 which allowed this second ship to be named Texas.

The first U.S.S. Texas had a reputation of being a jinxed ship after several early mishaps. She served in the Spanish-American War and later became a station ship in Charleston, South Carolina. After being renamed, she became a target ship for gunnery practice.

The bridge sketches were from a badly backlit photo Bill took — sunlight was pouring through those portholes and the brightness even hurt my eyes just looking at the photograph! So details are not absolutely correct, but I wanted to draw the wheel and show what tiny visibility there was looking through the portholes that ran a half-circle around this room. Bill says this tiny space would have been a tight squeeze for the many officers present. There was a table to the left where maps were spread out to study.

Battleship Texas, part 2

A couple more pages from Bill’s memory book, a bit of everyday life for the sailors.

watching . . .

Sometimes we like to find a relaxing spot to just watch, whether it’s vessels entering and exiting the Houston ship channel or a lone snowy egret perched on piles of concrete waste on Pelican Island.

watching the ships pass by

While staying at Ingleside on the Bay, we spent a lot of time relaxing out on one of the decks, watching the sea birds, boats, and ships. And two REALLY BIG structures being moved towards Aransas Pass and out into the Gulf.

a-shrimping we will go

Just across the lane from Our Place on the Bay, the Bed & Breakfast we are staying at, a shrimp boat was waiting for its next trip out. So I sat nearby and drew her. Early each morning the crew takes her out, then returns to load up their trucks with the day's catch.