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Memories of Don Armstrong, '57 - '58

I came right out of sub school onto the Bergall in July of '57. The boat had just returned to New London from Portsmouth where it had received an overhaul. As a result of the boat being completely torn apart, there were a large number of the crew who were not QUALIFIED. Therefore, unqualified enlisted men were restricted to the boat during the week. So, although I had just stepped aboard, no liberty for me.

Within a week or so the boat left for a 3 month North Atlantic and Med cruise. My only visit to Europe before or since was aboard the Bergall.

A story that my kids have heard more times than they can probably stand is the "Shark Story." During a cruise to the Caribbean we spent most of the day submerged engaged in antisubmarine warfare games with various aircraft and ships. Once a day for an hour of so, the skipper would surface and allow swimcall over the side. I swam out from the boat and was floating on my back in the warm sun when I felt a bump. I assumed it was some of the guys playing grab ass until I looked over and saw a dorsal fin right next to my face.

I swam right back to the boat, expecting the shark to attack at any time.  Everyone was out of the water when I reached the boat because they had seen the shark in the water near me, and also had expected an attack. Within a few minutes several large sharks swam right up to the boat and just nosed around. They could be seen as clearly as if they were in Seaworld.

I stayed on board until we took the boat to Turkey and turned it over to their navy. I came home with most of the crew on an MSTS ship after a week or so in Istanbul.

My rating at the time was RM3(SS). I served the remainder of my navy hitch on the USS Conger in New London.

Don Armstrong

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