Crew Laughed At Film Of Their Sub.

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30401, 28 March 1964, Page 3

Crew Laughed At Film Of Their Sub.

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 27. When Hollywood decided in 1957 to make the film “Run Silent, Run Deep,” featuring the exploits of a submarine, it could not have chosen a better vessel than the U.S.S. Redfish, according to Torpedoman First Class Bobby Mann. He is the oldest crew member of the craft which arrived at Wellington today. He has served 17 years on the Redfish under 10 captains. “Most of the movie shots were mock-ups, the ship being used only once for diving scenes and for another depicting the Clark Gable burial taken topside with most of the crew,” said Mr Mann.

The crew got many a laugh when they saw films about submarines. “You see so many things that just don’t happen.” For example, it took up to half an hour to make a proper torpedo approach, whereas “The movies have the action over in about five minutes.”

The Redfish was well blooded in such approaches in World War 11.

She sank eight ships amounting to 69,650 tons including a carrier, and damaged four others, amounting to 54,300 tons, including another carrier. On one occasion she was attacked for seven hours by two Japanese destroyers, during which time about 90 depth charges were sent down to her in some 200 ft of water.

The whole forward torpedo room was crushed and the vessel had to have a com-

plete new section fitted. There was no loss of life. The Redfish is one of the oldest submarines in the United States Navy, being commissioned in 1944. She had been scheduled for deactivation several times, said LieutentantCommander Francis E. Cornett.

“The Navy is not building any more diesel submarines now, and nuclear-powered vessels appear to be the coming thing.” The Redfish has a complement of 81. It is one of the few vessels in the fleet to

remain in the war-time configuration. She also has the honour of having made the nearest approach to the North Pole before the epic voyage under ice by the nuclear-powered Nautilus. In 1962 the Redfish was engaged on sonar services and training duties with the Seventh Fleet in the western Pacific and during this time made her 6000th dive. She has lately been employed in Japanese waters. The Redfish will sail for Napier on Monday.