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Downing · 2 January 2008, 08:51 AM

Yesterday, I took my kids to OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. OMSI's geared mostly towards small children, but there are three adult attractions: OMNIMAX, which is an imax theater, a Planetarium, and the USS Blueback Submarine.

We skipped the Planetarium this time, but took in a movie then checked out the Sub. Both my kids had seen it before but it was many years ago, so we thought it would be fun to take the tour.

Here's OMSI. The submarine's around back.

Before you can take the tour, you have to show that you're able to step through this hatch. Submarines aren't a good place for the very small, the very tall or the very big. That's my son in the sweatshirt and backpack, btw.

Then you go outside and walk down to the Sub.

Here's the propeller.

Walking down the ramp. My daughter's on the left; my son's girlfriend is in the middle.

We're here.

And in we go. Rather than making us climb down a ladder, the nice folks at OMSI put in some stairs. The first room we come to is the Captain's quarters. He was the only guy who had the luxury of having his own room.

Right across the hall was where the Officers ate and hung out.

Heading towards the front of the ship, we entered the room where they did the driving, sonar detection and fired the torpedos. The room was completely lit with red lights, which looked very cool, but of course my flash wiped that out.

Onward to the Torpedo Room.

Notice the feet just to the right of the Exit sign. Guys would bunk up there to escape the noise and stench of the bunk areas.

Back to the bunk areas. Triple decked. You shared your bunk with two buddies, so someone was in the bunk 24/7, hence the phrase "hotbunking."

Then into the kitchen/galley, which is right below the Captains Quarters where we came in.

Right across the hall.

Headed for the engine room.

Passing over the batteries.

The Engine Room.

And finally, a wrist shot.

That was the tour. Hope you enjoyed it.

jasonbellevue · 2 January 2008, 09:12 AM

Downing you're the MAN! Thanks for the tour, the vivid pictures made it feel like being there myself. I love it!

BTW, love the Energizer Bunny too, that was a nice touch.

Letsgodiving · 2 January 2008, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the tour Downing. I have done a couple of those over years and it gives you an appreciation of those who serve. It definitely takes a special breed to volunteer for that duty.

jasonbellevue · 2 January 2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

...it gives you an appreciation of those who serve. It definitely takes a special breed to volunteer for that duty.

Well said, Mike. A big THANK YOU to all those who are in the Armed Forces and to all those that have served...

Mike734 · 2 January 2008, 10:14 AM

Great tour Mike. Did you get a photo of the display that shows the relative size of the Blueback to modern subs? I found that quite amazing. The Blueback seems pretty big but is tiny compared to todays large subs.

Robb · 2 January 2008, 10:34 AM

Really cool!! Thanks for sharing Downing!

frostie · 3 January 2008, 06:11 AM

It seems interesting thanks for sharing the pics with us

Scooby · 3 January 2008, 11:14 AM

That is really cool Downing. I noticed from their website that you can actually take a group of kids and spend the night on the sub, going on a "mission". How awesome would that be!

GerardoG · 4 January 2008, 03:00 AM

VERY nice pictorial.....and also the perfect environment for your Rolex!

JJ Irani · 4 January 2008, 03:06 AM

Thanks for some superb pics and a very enlightening tour, Downing. Very interesting.....wish I could have been there!!

DSJ · 4 January 2008, 03:11 AM

Life as a Submariner. Where 150 men go down and 75 couples come up!

SLRdude · 4 January 2008, 03:18 AM

Awesome pictorial!

You can read a lot more about the sub HERE.

2 January 2008, 08:51 AM	#1
Downing "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Downing Location: Portland, Oregon Watch: SD ExpII GO Nav ND Posts: 1,640	A tour of the USS Blueback Submarine (many photos) Yesterday, I took my kids to OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. OMSI's geared mostly towards small children, but there are three adult attractions: OMNIMAX, which is an imax theater, a Planetarium, and the USS Blueback Submarine. We skipped the Planetarium this time, but took in a movie then checked out the Sub. Both my kids had seen it before but it was many years ago, so we thought it would be fun to take the tour. Here's OMSI. The submarine's around back. Before you can take the tour, you have to show that you're able to step through this hatch. Submarines aren't a good place for the very small, the very tall or the very big. That's my son in the sweatshirt and backpack, btw. Then you go outside and walk down to the Sub. Here's the propeller. Walking down the ramp. My daughter's on the left; my son's girlfriend is in the middle. We're here. And in we go. Rather than making us climb down a ladder, the nice folks at OMSI put in some stairs. The first room we come to is the Captain's quarters. He was the only guy who had the luxury of having his own room. Right across the hall was where the Officers ate and hung out. Heading towards the front of the ship, we entered the room where they did the driving, sonar detection and fired the torpedos. The room was completely lit with red lights, which looked very cool, but of course my flash wiped that out. Onward to the Torpedo Room. Notice the feet just to the right of the Exit sign. Guys would bunk up there to escape the noise and stench of the bunk areas. Back to the bunk areas. Triple decked. You shared your bunk with two buddies, so someone was in the bunk 24/7, hence the phrase "hotbunking." Then into the kitchen/galley, which is right below the Captains Quarters where we came in. Right across the hall. Headed for the engine room. Passing over the batteries. The Engine Room. And finally, a wrist shot. That was the tour. Hope you enjoyed it. __________________ One if by land, one if by sea, one if by air and one uh, just to tell time. Rolex Explorer II White Rolex Sea-Dweller Glashütte Original Navigator Panerai 183 G Black Seal

2 January 2008, 09:12 AM	#2
jasonbellevue "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Real Name: Jason Location: at home Posts: 5,098	Downing you're the MAN! Thanks for the tour, the vivid pictures made it feel like being there myself. I love it! BTW, love the Energizer Bunny too, that was a nice touch. __________________

2 January 2008, 10:14 AM	#5
Mike734 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Near Seattle Watch: GMT II Posts: 175	Great tour Mike. Did you get a photo of the display that shows the relative size of the Blueback to modern subs? I found that quite amazing. The Blueback seems pretty big but is tiny compared to todays large subs. __________________ Be Brief Be Brilliant Be Gone

2 January 2008, 10:34 AM	#6
Robb "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Robb Location: USA Watch: BLNR Posts: 4,940	Really cool!! Thanks for sharing Downing! __________________ 126610LN l 166610LV l 126619LB l 116710BLNR l 126710BLRO l 126720VTNR l 126718GRNR l 116500 white l 116500 black l 116508 john mayer l 116519LN l 116503 white l 126655 l 226627 Ti Master l 116518LN

4 January 2008, 03:06 AM	#10
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	Thanks for some superb pics and a very enlightening tour, Downing. Very interesting.....wish I could have been there!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

2 January 2008, 09:15 AM	#3
Letsgodiving "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Virginia, US Watch: SD 16600 Posts: 4,320	Thanks for the tour Downing. I have done a couple of those over years and it gives you an appreciation of those who serve. It definitely takes a special breed to volunteer for that duty.

3 January 2008, 06:11 AM	#7
frostie 1,000,000th PostMember Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 14,048	It seems interesting thanks for sharing the pics with us

3 January 2008, 11:14 AM	#8
Scooby Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Darren Location: Virginia, USA Watch: GMT Posts: 923	That is really cool Downing. I noticed from their website that you can actually take a group of kids and spend the night on the sub, going on a "mission". How awesome would that be!

4 January 2008, 03:00 AM	#9
GerardoG Banned Join Date: Oct 2005 Real Name: Gerardo Location: Here Watch: ALL of them Posts: 32,098	VERY nice pictorial.....and also the perfect environment for your Rolex!

4 January 2008, 03:11 AM	#11
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	Life as a Submariner. Where 150 men go down and 75 couples come up! __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

4 January 2008, 03:18 AM	#12
SLRdude "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Chip Location: Dallas TX Posts: 6,194	Awesome pictorial! You can read a lot more about the sub HERE. __________________ Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. Yoda, Jedi Master CHIP Member # 87

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