My first boat was the GATO, SSN615--Ex Thresher, now Permit class. Except for a 15 foot section, it was basically the same (excepting technical updates). As I qualified, and walked the passageways, touched the valves, found the EAB manifolds, I had to remember the "nonquals" on THRESHER, they did just what I did, walked the same steps, touched the same valves. Made me proud for being there, and hopeful that it wouldn't happen again.
It didn't, and I'm still proud to be part of the select few of the Navy.

DBF, NBF 

April 10, 1963 @ Ballast Point, San Diego, California 
Had reported aboard the USS Scamp SSN 588 as a newly trained nuc EM3(SS) in February. Just completed 3 years naval service two weeks before on March 24th. Scamp was within days of heading out for our scheduled WestPac run when we all received word of the Thresher's loss... This one hit home very personnaly... Edgar Bobbitt EM3(SS) was in my boot camp company and EM"A" school class (one of 10 along with Ron Martini)... Needless to say our cruise started on a very somber note... To make matters worse within days of our return to San Diego our President (one of the best) was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas... Kind of makes you feel like staying away at times... 

I was still a Signalman 1(SS) then and had not changed my rate. I had been up to Squadron Hdq. and went up into the tower to talk with Morelli, another SM1 who lived in New York City with his family also. We commuted back and forth together on weekends when I was in port. He drove and I met him at the Geo Wash. Bridge late Sunday nights We were just sitting there shooting the bull, it was quiet, when the voice flash message came over the radio from, I believe the Skylark one of the two Sub rescue vessels out of NLON. The other was the Tringa. Best I can remember it was the Skylark.

As I recall Morelli was by himself and I manned the tower while he ran the message down to the Sqd. DO. The intercom was out. I remember I helped Morelli sortie several boats on orders from someone to head for the Grand Banks to search, but that was a 1/2 hr. or so after we got the initial Flash message. I think it was on a Wednesday and around 11 or 12 hundred hours can't be sure though. I know I was on the Diablo and we were in up keep with two engines torn down and couldn't go which upset everyone. 

Hey Ron. read your post above after making mine. I couldn't be sure on the day, the only reference I had was that I would go up to the tower on Wednesday before the weekend to set up my rides with Morelli. I wasn't sure whether it was the Tringa for Skylark for sure, but seemed to remember the Skylark. I seem to remember some radio problems from the Skylark also, but can't recall exactly. I also remember the chill that went down my back when I heard it. 

:It was a Wednesday! Hard to remember because the news was not released until Thursday in the New Haven Register and Friday in the Boston and NY papers.

:To be real specific 9:17AM. At 11:04 attempt made by USS Skylark to notify COMSUBLANT but had radio problems. At 12:45 Subase finally acknowledged. COMSUBFLOT2 handed message 13:02. DepCOMSUBLANT Ramage stepped off plane at Groton at 18:30 and received the details. He immediately got a chopper to Newport and the DD943 and was enroute to scene at 20:30. COMSUBFLOT2 was on DL-1 at 1700 heading for scene.