• USS Barb (SS-220)
    The last two war patrols conducted by Barb (SS-220) are deserving of special mention. Under Commander E. B. Fluckey she commenced her 11th patrol 19 December 1944. The patrol was conducted in the Formosa Straits and East China Sea off the east coast of China, from Shanghai to Kam Kit. During this patrol, which lasted until 15 February 1945, Barb sank four Japanese merchant ships and numerous enemy small craft. On 22-23 January Barb, displaying the ultimate in skill and daring, penetrated Namkwan Harbor on the China coast and wrought havoc upon a convoy of some 30 enemy ships at anchor. Riding dangerously in shallow waters, Barb launched her torpedoes into the enemy group and then retired at high speed on the surface in a full hour's run through uncharted, heavily mined, and rock-obstructed waters. In recognition of this outstanding patrol, Commander Fluckey was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and Barb received the Presidential Unit Citation.
    Commander E. B. Fluckey
  • Hunley
    H.L. Hunley a small, hand-powered submarine, was privately built at Mobile, Alabama, in 1863, based on plans furnished by Horace Lawson Hunley, James R. McClintock and Baxter Watson. She began a series of attempts to attack United States Navy ships on blockade duty off Charleston. On 17 February 1864, these efforts were successful. H.L. Hunley approached the steam sloop of war USS Housatonic and detonated a spar torpedo against her side. The Federal ship sank rapidly, becoming the first warship to be lost to a submarine's attack.
    Hunley
  • Intelligent Whale
    Intelligent Whale was one of a number of submarines built during the Civil War. She was hand-propelled, and steered by horizontal and vertical rudders. Wooden doors on the bottom allowed a diver to exit with a mine. She was purchased by the U.S. Navy in 1869, and brought to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for testing. In September 1872, in her only official Navy test, Intelligent Whale flooded. The crew escaped, but the Navy's interest in her ceased. Intelligent Whale was an early experiment in a field now of great importance.
    Intelligent Whale
  • Plunger
    Submarine Plunger on a slipway circa the late 1890s, possibly while under construction at the Columbian Iron Works, Baltimore, Maryland. Plunger was built under an 1895 Navy contract with the Holland Torpedo Boat Company but was not accepted for Naval service. Note her triple propeller shafts. This halftone reproduction was published in the "Journal of the American Society of Naval Engineers", May 1938.
    Plunger
  • The Fenian Ram
    The Fenian Ram is the second experimental submarine built by Irish-born inventor and educator John P. Holland. It was financed by the Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish revolutionary movement in the United States that sought Ireland's independence from British rule. It carried a crew of three, and made frequent dives in New York Harbor. It led Holland to perfect four other experimental craft that eventually resulted in his Holland submarine of 1898, which was adopted by the U.S. Navy and commissioned as SS-1. Fenian Ram was placed in Paterson's West Side Park in 1928 as a monument to the inventor. In 1980, it was moved inside the Paterson Museum where today it serves as a reminder of the ingenuity of the "father of the modern submarine."
    The Fenian Ram
by Dr. Radut

2024 Memorial Day Parade

Columbus Base marched with our Float in the Worthington Memorial day parade on Monday 27, May 2024. The following members represented the base in the parade: Tim Barker, Dave Hamel, Brian Farnsworth with Mother, Dave OCarrol, Bill McCorkle, Walt Fleak, Scott Steele & Grandaughters Jose and Lucy, Dave Creekmore, Jim Steck with Wife & Granddaughter, and John Wegman. Photos were taken by John and are available for viewing on the website photo page.

 

Febuary Meeting

Lee McClishColumbus Base held the Febuary meeting at the American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239 on Saturday 3 Febuary. Twenty-six members and guests attended this meeting including new member Lee McClish who qualified on the USS Gato (SSN-615) in 1986. The base had 100% membership renewal for 2024. Photos and Minutes for this event are posted.

2024 January Meeting

Steve DickmanColumbus Base held the January Meeting at the American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239 on Saturday 6 January.  New officers:Commander - Tim Barker, Vice Commander - Dave Hamel, Secretary - Richard Demboski, Treasurer - Walt Fleak were adminstered the oath of office and sworn in by chaplin Sharon Lloyd. The base welcomed new prospective member Steve Dickman who served on the USS Toledo SSN-769 as an MM2(SS). Photos and minutes from this event are posted.

2023-09 Base meeting and Christmas/Awards/Toy-for-Tots Dinner

Dec Meeting width= Columbus Base held its anual Christmas/Awards/Toys for Tots Dinner was held on 9 December at the Hilliard VFW Post 4931. Thirty-eight members and guests attended. Clutch introduced our newest member Mark Rose and his wife Mimi. 

 

The results of the base election were announced: 

  • Base Commander - Tim Barker 
  • Vice Commander - Dave Hamel 
  • Secretary - Richard Demboski 
  • Treasurer - Walt Fleak 

Commander Time Barker presented the following awards: 

November Meeting

Nov Meeting width=DelawareLogan Columbus Base held it's monthly meeting on the 4'th of November at the American Legion 'Leasure-Blackston Post 239' in Worthington Ohio. We welcomed two new members Jim Steck and Joeseph Conn. All members were encouraged to march in the upcoming Veterans day parades in Delaware tomorrow and in Logan's on the 11'th. Photos and Minutes for this meeting as well as photos from the Delaware parade are posted. The Logan parade photos are also posted.

October Meeting

Dave CreekmoreColumbusbase held it's Monthly meeting on 7 October 2023. Members were reminded that Officer elections are coming up in November and all positions are open - New Blood is Needed - Please consider running for a base office.    
The next meeting will be held on Saturday, 4 November, at the Worthington American Legion Hall, 700 Morning Street, Worthington. Minutes are posted  thanks to John Wegman Photos are posted on Flickr.