 MM2/SS John Garrett mans the...  MM2/SS John Garrett mans the wheel to show us what it's like to pilot the USS Dolphin. Obviously, you have to drive by instruments since there is no view of the outside world. The gauges he's looking at display information including the rise/dive, ordered depth, system depth, cavitation, turns, dummy log, depth to keel, and some more readings that we landlubbers don't understand. |  Monitoring the main storage...  Monitoring the main storage batteries, the generators, and the propulsion system is no easy task. The red "Danger Do Not Operate" tags are used to track which equipment had been disabled in preparation for the decommissioning. |  MM1/SS Ryan Peart (center)...  MM1/SS Ryan Peart (center) enjoys a laugh in the efficient/tiny mess area. This one table is used by the entire crew, so sailors don't dawdle after their plates are empty because someone is always waiting to jump in for chow. The double-decker table setup is necessary so that silverware and condiments don't use up the valuable real estate. The crew treated us like family and made feeding the magazine guys their first order of business, and we can now say that we've eaten a submarine sandwich while on a submarine-our grandkids will have to pretend that's interesting when we retell the story decades from now. |
 Deputy Chief Petty Officer...  Deputy Chief Petty Officer EM1/SS Kristopher Stafford (the same guy who donned the air mask for us) uses a calculator to estimate how long the engines would run before the fuel supply ran dry. A pool was set up and everyone made bets (no money involved, of course) and guessed how long the remaining diesel fuel would run the engines until the fuel lines ran dry. |  MM1/SS Ronald Madsen opens...  MM1/SS Ronald Madsen opens the throttle on the number two engine until it reaches just over 1,600 rpm. This is the last time the engines were ever run together to empty out the fuel tanks and lines in preparation for the decommissioning of the USS Dolphin. To say we were honored to be part of this historic event is an understatement. |  STS2/SS Robert Vengbai paints...  STS2/SS Robert Vengbai paints the hull of the USS Dolphin in preparation for the decommissioning ceremony on September 22, 2006. |
USS Dolphin Achievements
* World's deepest diving submarine
* Launched torpedo from the deepest depth that one has ever been fired
* Development of a highly accurate target management system
* Evaluation of a possible "Fifth Force of Nature"
* First successful submarine-to-aircraft optical communications
* First successful submarine-to-aircraft two-way laser communication
* First submarine launch of a mobile submarine simulator (MOSS) decoy system
* Development of an Extreme Low Frequency (ELF) antenna for Ohio-class submarines
* Evaluation of various non-acoustic anti-submarine warfare (ASW) techniques
* Evaluation of various low probability of interception active sonar systems
* First successful submarine test of BQS-15 sonar system
* Development of highly accurate (4-inch) towed body position monitoring system
* Development of a new Obstacle Avoidance Sonar system
* Development of a Laser Imaging system of photographic clarity
* Tested a new sonar system that will be fitted into the submarine fleet
Videos from the USS Dolphin
Go to www.dieselpowermag.com for more exclusive photos and to watch video clips, including the final run of the diesel engines and more.
Thank You!
Special thanks to Commanding Officer Andrew C. Wilde for inviting us aboard his ship, Executive Officer LCDR John Vlattas, Duty Officer LTJG/SS Rabin, MMC/SS Scott O'Hara for giving us a four-hour tour (a four-hour tour), all the past and present crew of the USS Dolphin, and Lt. Alli Myrick for all her work organizing our amazing trip.