The official fund raising campaign has begun for the money needed to begin construction of the USS Bremerton CA-130/SSN-698 Monument set to be constructed in Bremerton, Washington.
With the shipyard notified for the requested components of the hull of the U.S. Navy’s longest serving nuclear fast attack submarine, the race is on to raise funds for the eventual monument construction.
The funding campaign involves approaching a wide variety of supporters from organizations, businesses, and corporations both local and nationwide.
An individualized option is possible through the dedication of an array of bricks that will be beautifully integrated into the monument grounds. This is especially desirable for alumni and friends of the USS Bremerton, SSN-698 or CA-130, to take part in the dedication by purchasing individual 8×4 or 8×8 inch bricks.
Each brick’s engraving can be customized per your request with one of a variety of navy symbols to complement your engraved name and message.
This is a great way to bring recognition of your Bremerton service, the service of your family member, or to memorialize departed shipmates.
Some fun ideas for alumni to honor their service would be to dedicate bricks to your division, department, a specific WestPac, favorite ports of call, your favorite watering hole, or a noteworthy disclosable event. How about a favorite quote or saying on the boat at the time you were onboard?*
Keep the memories alive with a dedication that will remain an integral part of a lasting monument in the namesake city of Bremerton.
*Please note, submissions may be subject to review before approval.
Click on the image/link below to go straight to the order site for details:
Captain Alan R. Beam, Bremerton’s CO #3, provided the following update:
“We have received word from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard that they may start final cutup operations somewhere around Christmas. We are requesting the sail, stern planes, rudders and anchor. We are working with Mayor Wheeler to identify the best location and are scheduling a meeting with the City Council to get their support for location. We can announce the location at the successful completion of this meeting.”
This is welcome news for supporters of the USS Bremerton (SSN-698) who have been following the activities related to the longest serving nuclear fast attack submarine in the United States Navy. Not only does it give many of the Badfish’s supporters something objective to focus on, but also helps in process of closure for all who have loyal affections for the boat, the vessel we called our home away from home while venturing to distant places and mastering submerged trails across the ocean.
Captain Beam further explains that a USS Bremerton Sail Committee was formed in order to begin the process of fund raising. The board includes long time Navy League supporters and 698 CO’s: Chairman Jerry Logan (CO#10 2002-2005), Navy League President Tom Zwolfer (CO #11 2005-2008) and Alan Beam (CO #3 1985-1988), former Mayor Patty Lent, and the Architect Jerry Fergus.
The initial goal set for fund raising is one million dollars. While a Bremerton monument in the city of Bremerton enjoys the obvious benefit of local home town and shipyard support and the shortest transport distances, which can save untold tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars, projects like a sail monument can reach into the 2 to 4 million range based on the reported budgets of other U.S. Navy submarine monuments around the country. Much will depend on the overall design of a monument and the procurement of the real estate necessary but this is the beginning of another journey, another mission.
The Bremerton’s alumni roster is one of the largest ever due to the life span of the boat, estimates are there are about 1500 to 1600 sailors who have served on SSN-698. While alumni provided tax-deductible contributions are always welcome, it is more than simply money. The ideal campaign should make it easy for you to invite many others to contribute, regardless of their prior affiliation with the boat. This way, anyone, but especially you who have a personal connection, can support the mission as long as you are willing to take some simple steps. In other words, a million dollars divided more ways make each part more manageable. A few honorary awards and opportunities for recognition should be part of the package. What do you think? We’d like to hear your ideas to build and attract interest.
Not meaning to jump to conclusions but the future completion of the USS Bremerton Monument will be a focal point for another reunion, bringing the sailors, the boat (at least part of it), and the spirit that binds both together back together once again.
Penciled in for “around Christmas”, when many military personnel around the world and under the oceans are deep in gratitude for the mercy, the grace and the providence of God, and for the deliverance through many trials, the Navy shipyard at Puget Sound will be preparing to do their part in securing vital sections of the Bremerton for the future.
Editor’s Note: This post is inspired by fellow Navy man, Michael P. McGrath, who served on the USS Anchorage LSD-36. He brought to our attention the demise of his ship at the hands of the USS Bremerton. As he puts it,
“No, I do not like it one bit …. but, if anyone was to sink my ship, I’m glad it was SSN-698. GO NAVY!” (See website at lsd36.com).
An ODE to the SHIPS we served
An excerpt from “The United States Navy” (422) by CAPT Edward L. Beach
“There always has been a mystique involving the self-contained little world of a large, well-founded ship, combating the far greater elements of wind and sky and the huge, trackless, sometimes malevolent sea. It was not lessened when the lovely square-riggers with their clouds of grey-brown canvas gave way, unwillingly, unavoidably, to steel behemoths powered by steam engines. There has always been something mysterious, and beautiful, about a ship on the bosom of the sea, something which makes men fall in love with her, even invest in her a living personality. But not only did a big ship become a living, sentient being to those who served her, she was also a community of kindred souls, of men who thought alike and worshipped at the same shrine. Never, even to the youngest sailor, has a ship been only a mechanism. To men who have devoted their lives to ships, any ship – but principally their own ship – becomes their reason for life itself…”
Image source: pinterest.com
USS Anchorage LSD-36 (image source clker.com)
USS ANCHORAGE LSD-36
Commissioned: 15 March 1969
Received by the Deep/Target Ship: 17 July 2010 Sunk by a torpedo from USS Bremerton (SSN-698)
“SHIP’S MISSION: To embark, deploy and land elements of a Marine Landing Force in an assault by helicopter, landing craft, amphibious vehicles or by a combination of these methods…
…USS Anchorage was equipped with machine shops and repair facilities, and along with two 50-ton Boat & Aircraft Cranes; one port, one starboard, could provide drydock services for vessels up to harbor tug in size. This is when the flight deck could be removed.
This ship could embark 302 troops and had extensive storage facilities, including 1,400 cubic feet for cargo and ammunition stowage and 8,400 square feet for vehicle storage. Her flight deck had one helicopter spot and could carry two LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushion) in their well decks. More landing craft could be carried if the Mezzanine Deck were removed…
USS Anchorage was the first ship to be named after Alaska’s largest city. The ship is lead ship of her class and is the fourth class of LSD to be built. Her motto is ‘Sui Generis’, meaning ‘unique; of its own kind’…
USS Anchorage saw 34 years of honorable service after being commissioned in 1969. Before decommissioning in 2003, USS Anchorage patrolled in three of the world’s oceans and countless trouble spots, deploying 19 times from her home ports of San Diego and Long Beach. USS Anchorage earned the distinction of being the most decorated dock landing ship on the West Coast with 16 awards.”
SINK-EX
During the 2010 SINK-EX, after being pounded by all sorts of weapons from the air and the surface, the noble Anchorage stayed afloat. Waiting patiently for her turn, the USS Bremerton was ordered to fire a single MK-48 ADCAP torpedo, and with a perfect shot sent the ex-USS Anchorage LSD-36 to her final resting place.
All images below are sources from the QuickTime video in the link below:
USS Bremerton (SSN-698) approaches at periscope depthMaking the shot a good one
A strong ship, it takes almost 22 minutes for the Anchorage to succumb to the death blow from Bremerton’s MK48, yet fate waits, and the ocean receives her.
The MK-48’s signature fatal buckling of the ship’s structure
The ocean is the Anchorage’s final resting place.Image Source: Michael Gendron
Editor’s Note: Thanks to several Badfish shipmates who chimed in to confirm this SINKEX activity in 2010, including Shane Madak, Gene Gard, Marlo DelPueblo, Matt Eliason, Jeffrey Tottingham, Randall Moore, Jared Simpson, Steven Ralph, Michael Gendron, John Scanlan, Ron Shirey and John Stolhand.
According to a letter sent out with the official attachment below to all previous Commanding Officers of the USS Bremerton (SSN-698), Captain Chris Lindberg reports that 12:45 today, the Bad Fish, a.k.a. The American Classic is officially decommissioned.
“It has been an extraordinary 40 year run for the best Submarine in the US Navy…” – CAPT. Chris Lindberg.
“TO EVERY OFFICER AND SAILOR WHO STOOD WATCH ON BREMERTON, YOUR LEGACY WILL LIVE ON FOREVER…”
