Kale
I wanted to let you know things here are fine and we are still traveling to Seattle. After leaving Dutch Harbor the Aleutians treated us to a spectacular volcano show (the calm before the storm), and then it blew like hell. Not as much as Kiska but the winds hit speeds of 65 mph. We anchored in Fox Bay in the Shumigan Islands and let most of it blow over before we continued.
In about 6 hours we start the crossing of the Gulf of Alaska. Weather doesn’t look too bad but not flat calm that’s for sure.
We are all so curious as to how the project, news to the families and all is being received out in the world. As you know being on the boat is at times somewhat cut off from the rest of the planet.
Bruce
Today Show people interviewed Mary Bentz yesterday and are at my house today reviewing video.
We are having problems with the Z1U Sony camcorder that for some tapes will not allow them to be rewound giving a continual “Reinsert tape” message.
Moore Huntley has converted most of the ROV video. The end result is rather spectacular.
Kale has sent a few photos of the volcano Pavlov
To view volcano click Search 07 Photos, then double click the “latest album”, then “sideshow”.
Bruce,
The photos posted for Sep 2nd are good shots of the boat. Were you able to get any port or starboard photos that show the entire boat. I’m sure the videos from the ROV have some excellent footage. Considering how deep the boat is and knowing the test and crush depth of this class of sub, I am impressed with what her remains look like. Do you have any idea when video footage would be available to look at.
To Kale: Thanks you for the Great shots of the Volcano and have a safe voyage home.
To Bruce: Hope your video problems are resolved easily. If at all possible any heads up regarding Television Air Dates for material would be great.
Again, Thank you to everyone involved in your project.
DBF
Charles Strang
Regarding how the world is reacting, here is a letter that ran in the Raleigh (NC) News and Observer yesterday (5 Sep 2007):
In regard to the Aug. 25 article “Word on WWII sub lifts N.C. family” concerning the discovery of the World War II USS Grunion: We are experiencing the same emotions as the relatives of Moore J. Ledford. Our family also had a member who was missing in action. My father found out that his brother-in-law was MIA the night before he, himself, left for the war. My aunt, whose husband was on the Grunion, was eight months pregnant with her first and only child.
The Abele brothers, who initiated and privately funded the search, have provided so many answers and closure for the 70 families who lost loved ones. The many months of endurance, devotion, faith and hope led to the discovery of the ship’s remains at the tip of the Aleutian Chain. Their team of “Sub Ladies” worked very hard for several years to locate relatives of the men lost at sea.
I cannot say enough about Bruce, Brad and John, whose father was the commander, Mannert Abele. To quote my cousin, Nancy Kornahrens Stark, born one month after the submarine disappeared: “The entire Grunion family is indeed blessed by the Abele sons who provided both the passion and funding for this amazing search.”
Linda Tripp-Corbin
Raleigh
http://www.newsobserver.com/print/wednesday/opinion/story/692500.html
Regards,
Mark Turner
www.markturner.net
Amazing, guys! As a fellow submariner, this is definitely a GREAT feat! Congratulations! Travel safe back to Seattle.