The letter for the Submergence Cruisograph says:
Navy Dept
Bureau of Naval Personnel
Washington DC June 1, 1943My dear Mrs. Martin:
Your husband, Carson Raymond Martin, Chief Motor Machinist’s Mate, U.S. Navy, formerly attached to the
USS Grunion, was certified by the former Commanding office of the submarine to have been aboard when it
submerged to a maximun dept of 325 feet, on May 7th, 1942, in Block Island Sound.In recognition of this accomplishment, A Deep Submergence Certificate was ordered for him at that time,
but unfortunately, it cannot now be delivered to him. It can neither be signed by the Diving Officer or the
Commanding Officer, since they are likewise among the missing personnel.The Bureau feels that you will greatly treasure this certificate as a memento of your husband’s service, and is
pleased to forward it to you.Very truly yours,
Randall Jacobs
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy
Chief of Naval Personnel
A.C. Jacobs
Commander, U.S.BN.R.
Head of Casualties and Allotments Section by direction.
Rhonda Raye sent this wonderfully ‘deep submergence cruisograph’ from 7 May 1942. It -very beautifully- commemorates the Grunion’s first deep water submergence and was issued to Donald F. Welch by none other than Neptunus Rex, ruler(!). An interesting perspective on the sometimes comical world of Navy Submariners. The document was kept by Donna Francess, Donald Welch’s only child.
Hi,I also have one of these deep submergence cruisograph with the name of my uncle, Ryder “Red” Mathison on it. If you would like me to scan and send it, I would be happy to.
Lynne Blinco Earle
Does anyone have the longitude and lattitude?
When you do physically ID the boat by sending someone down to photograph it or see it, what are the chances that it could be brought up? If the decision were made to bring it up, if the vessel is still somewhat fit, how would this be physically accomplished, since the depths being spoken of, while deep, are easier to endure working than for example, the depths in the area of the Titanic.