USS Croaker (SS/SSK 246) Condition Report

From the USSVI Buffalo Base Ship Superintendent:
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> From: KWojtanik@aol.com

> Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2001 20:29:47 EDT

> Subject: Ship Sup's Note

A Brief note from the Ship Superintendent:

I met with Chief Smith, Superintendent of Ships at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park, this past Wednesday (20010711). Along with Shipmate Fred Moorhouse, we went to check on the USS Croaker. She seems to be faring well, all things considered. We checked out and noted bilge levels and circulated air through the boat. There appears to be a slight port list that I will be investigating more closely at my next visit.

As for my next visit., an agreement has been made between the Naval Park and myself to have free access to the boat on a regular basis to monitor bilge levels, ventilate the boat and whatever we deem necessary. I have received the keys to the brow & hatches along with a form letter to have in my possession anytime I go to the boat, to show the guards at the Gateway Piers. Several members of the Croaker Restoration Committee and myself will make a trip to the boat every other week to ventilate the boat and monitor bilge levels. We have verified that the exhaust fan in the overhead of the crew's mess does run when plugged into an outlet on the string of lights temporarily in use. Chief Smith has indicated that he will purchase a GFI pigtail to use off the generator as ground fault protection.

I am hoping that this will be the beginning of more activity on the boat before she can make her return to the harbor. My intent is to have some field days and general housekeeping done initially, and possibly some repair work. This must be carefully planned, though, due to the ship's location, power requirements, and lack of water source.

Shipmate Ken Wojtanik

SSK-246 Ship Superintendent

[200107171100-Edited for publication- KLN]