Was able to procure the alarm bell out of the Marine Corps Guardshack which we used during security violations. Home Page - Holy Loch, Scotland Alumni Web Site Description: Home Page: HolyLoch.com is for anyone who has ever served at the U.S. Navy Submarine Base in Holy Loch, Scotland either as military member, dependant, or civilian. Patrick Hannifin (Executive . Across the street at the Argyll Hotel, owner Murray Fletcher says, “We will recover, but it’s a sad fact of life.”. I married a Scottish girl from Port Glasgow and we had two great children there. We been hounding the Soviet helo-carrier Leningrad on their ASW exercises. (I can't recall the name). One I hope to come back and visit someday! My sister and I went to the "old grammar school" and we lived in a cottage on the corner of Clyde Street and the Alexandra Parade, on the grounds of the Dunmore Hotel. Almost never ate in a restaurant...the pubs were where the locals & darts were. Holy Loch continued to serve as a US base until 1992. Holy Loch is a sea loch in Argyllshire, opening into the Firth of Clyde and indenting the coastline of the Cowal peninsula.. Robertson's Yard at Sandbank, a village on the loch, was a major wooden boat building company in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.. During Second World War, the loch was used a submarine base. My dentist here in Maine had served on the last sub-tender before the base shut down. on the Hunley AS31 in 1987, our bestman crossdecked to the Simon Lake and years later we ended up on the John.S.McCain in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, who do we run into walking down the street, but our bestman lol small world. I went to the primary school in Hillfoot st. Speaking to my old Navy pal brought back some good memories. During World War Two the loch was used by the Royal Navy for exercises and a submarine base. We were there about a week. The people of Scotland were friendly and kind to me and the many American sailors who were stationed there during the Cold War. Both subs were damaged . I want to go back and visit with my family. I was on the Holland 76-77 and loved it. 5 month cruise. Mr Kristensen, a former special adviser to the Danish Ministry of Defence, added: "The James Madison was a ballistic missile submarine armed with 16 . From 1961 (amid violent controversy) it was used by the US Navy for various vessels and as home to . See more ideas about submarine, submarines, navy day. I will never forget the kindness that he and his family showed me in my time of need. A 31-year-old Navy postal clerk from Garden Grove, Calif., who wanted to be called Tim, has been in Dunoon for five years. I'd like to take my wife to Scotland and show her all of the places I lived and visited. I WAS ON THE HOLLAND AND THE HUNTLEY, 1980-82. Always wanted to go back to visit to see who was still living there. Jesse J. Pitt MDI served on the USS Sam Rayburn submarine during the cold war & was the last physician stationed on a nuclear sub. You can follow or progress on facebook page Holy Loch Heritage, The American Years Revisited. The country and its people were truly awesome. Stephen,Yes, Scotland was, and remains, I'm sure. My Dad was stationed there from 1972 thru 1974. I agree, Site One played a key role in the Cold war.And yes, like you, I'm proud of my service at Site One on the Saugus.Thanks for writing.Paul, Yes I was on board three submarines that ran out of holy loch. The Polaris crew depicted include, among others, Cmdr. Orville Lee Gooden. In 1968 we were in the north Atlantic and had a catistrophic breakdown and had to limp into Holy Loch for repairs. I did not have any idea that Scotland is so beautiful. Paul. Operation Frankton, 7/12 December 1942, popularly known as "The Cockleshell Heroes ", tells how a handful of Royal Marines paddled 70 miles up the River Gironde during the hours of darkness. In the 30 years since the submarines began stealing past the blue water bays and inlets of the chilly Firth of Clyde, Dunoon has grown accustomed to bulky Chevrolets with steering wheels on the wrong side, wide accents and the ubiquitous baseball caps and tennis shoes. Loved being there. Paul. Found insideAmerican Navy had a supply ship that came in once per month for about three or four days to bring supplies for their nuclear submarine base in the Holy Loch ... I was a engineman and lived on shore with my wife. Patrick Hannifin (Executive . In 1992, the Holy Loch base was deemed unnecessary following the demise of the Soviet Union and subsequently withdrawn. In 1991, the Holy Loch base was deemed unnecessary following the demise of the Soviet Union and subsequently withdrawn. As I child I used to stay in Kilmun and watch the ship and submarines. From 1961-1992, it was used as a US Polaris nuclear submarine base. Naval Station Norfolk. Thank. As one of the main holders, and the only user of these weapons, what is the United States' role in creating this world as we see it today? Probing the Deep is one man's attempt to make sense of the role he played in the Cold War. Also spent several days ported at Greenock. mid-July, Tim Moore, Chairman of the Perch Base Memorial Foundation group was presented a $925 check, funds raised in a silent auction event sponsored by one of Dillons restaurants. The Prime Minister said that The Holy Loch (Scottish Gaelic "An Loch Sianta/Seunta") is a sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.. Robertson's Yard at Sandbank, a village on the loch, was a major wooden boat building company in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.. During World War II, the loch was used as a submarine base. “We never wanted the bases and they have gone away and left us in a pretty bad position.”. We followed the Leningrad from Murmansk to the Black Sea. Dated young girl there back in the late sixties. It was, for 30 years, until the end of the cold war, the home port of the United States' navies Submarine Squadron 14. My father, CPO Clay Bailey set up the base services at the old Ardnadam Hotel in Sandbank in '61. Jim,A cruise around the UK sounds interesting. Paul Davis has been a student of crime since he was an aspiring writer growing up in South Philadelphia. Jan 12, 2017 - Explore SSN-680.org's board "Submarine Bases", followed by 115 people on Pinterest. Just read and enjoyed all the articles people wrote about the Holy Loch. However, Ritchie says a separate nuclear submarine base and nuclear armaments depot would have to be built in France because of commitments to the UK's nuclear safety regulatory authorities and Nato. Auriette,Thanks for visiting the web site and thanks for writing. Coordinates: 55°59′13″N 4°55′59″W / 55.987°N 4.933°W / 55.987; -4.933, Alexander Robertson and Sons Ltd (Yachtbuilders), Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Closed military facilities of the United States in the United Kingdom, "The British government and the American Polaris base in the Clyde", http://web.archive.org/web/20050503205041/http://www.jmr.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conJmrArticle.2/setPaginate/No, http://www.argyllonline.co.uk/index.asp?id=206, USS Hunley (AS-31), Pictures while at the Holy Loch, February 1964, completed the first "off center" docking of a. In 1982, Naval Support Activity (NAVSUPPACT), Forward Base, Holy Loch, Scotland became its own command. London was a favorite city of mine. The Holy Loch - the aftermath. Found inside â Page 166Perhaps it was the most famous submarine base in the world at one time, ... tensions and the end of the Cold War, it was announced that the Holy Loch Base ... 35 of the coolest plant shops you can find only in L.A. Ardlui - top of Loch Lomond. And thank you for your service and for checking in.Paul. The Holy Loch - the aftermath. John L. From, Jr., Capt. Anonymous,I'd like to go back to Scotland as well one day.Thanks for writing,Paul. I thought I would never eat seafood again. I lived in Dunoon and went to the primary school in Hillfoot St., from 1963-1970. Thanks to Cathy and Anonymous for writing.Cathy, I too would like to get an old fashioned Scottish fish & chips. I had relatives in Paisley and was able to get 4 days leave to be with them. The Polaris crew depicted include, among others, Cmdr. I was looking for photos to see if anything jogged a memory and stumbled across your post. The Squadron 14 forward site was Holy Loch, Scotland. Historical events for the 23rd of May. The role. Dot,I'm sorry to say that the Holy Loch submarine base, stationed in the middle of the loch, is gone. Great read. Here we can discuss anything related to Site One and the local communities. What memories. Paul. From 1961-1992, it was used as a US Polaris nuclear submarine base. Found inside â Page 72What is the status of the U.S. submarine base at Holy Loch ? Are negotiations on the status of the base and the types of submarines operating there ... The Squadron 14 forward site as Holy Loch, Scotland. My husband was on the uss bluefish that was home in new london ct with frequent trips to this port. I served on board USS HOLLAND AS-32 from 1974 to 1977 I was involved in accident one day Dr. sent me in town for an MRI can anyone one remember the name of base hospital? Other selection criteria included a sheltered anchorage, close proximity to an international airport and enough facilities in shore to house military personnel and their families. I remember you. I was there from January 1974 to December 1975. Submarine tenders Arrived Departed Tender Notes March 1961 January 1963 USS Proteus (AS-19) Commenced first site one refit 6 March 1961. During World War II, the loch was used a submarine base. The Navy made the decision to close all three overseas sites - and concentrate the FBM service to one west coast base (Bremmerton) and one east coast base (Kings Bay). During its 104-year history, Robertson's Yard built 500 boats, many of which are still sailing. Holy Loch is known to sailors as the "marine gateway to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park". The yard ceased trading in the early 1980s and the site was levelled soon after. New SSBN construction was terminated for over 10 years in Russia and drastically reduced in the U.S. with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the end of the Cold War and the USN rapidly decommissioned its remaining 31 older SSBNs with a few converted to alternate roles; the base at Holy Loch was disestablished. Seven boats carrying in all 1,120 40-kiloton warheads are stationed there. My friend's flat was next to the news agent and the butcher shop, I recall, but I suppose many things have changed - even there. The Holy Loch - previously a large US Navy base. I remember the Woolworth store and a little tobacco shop with good candy jars. :), Jim,I too have fond memories of Scotland and the people. Charlie Witherow, OMC USN(Ret), Chairman H.L.A.V.A. SCOTT (Copy 1): From the John Holmes Library collection. Nice hearing all these replies. Scotland is scenic. I was there from zJan 82 to Sept 83 on Hunley. Thanks for writing. Although I'm a city guy, I enjoyed my stay in Tighnabruaich. During World War Two the loch was used by the Royal Navy for exercises and a submarine base. The raid involved the submarine HMS Tuna, 10 Royal Marines and 5 . Location of the Holy Loch in Scotland The Holy Loch (Scottish Gaelic "An Loch Sianta/Seunta") is a sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. In November 1974, the USS James Madison was departing Holy Loch when a Soviet Victor-class submarine found it the hard way after the James Madison submerged on top of it. Now that it’s happening, some are complaining about the financial suffering and demanding U. S. reparations. Thank you. I enjoyed weekend nights in the hotel's bar. AFDB-7 Los Alamos Holy Loch Scotland "IN THE BEGINNING…". The base is worth $22 million a year to Dunoon, which is isolated by the Clyde from Scotland’s commercial mainstream. Between 1961 and 1962, about 2000 American servicemen were based at Holy Loch, home to the US Navy's Submarine Squadron 14, part of Submarine Force, US Atlantic Fleet. The Holy Loch was a Royal Navy Submarine base during World War II and the Firth of Clyde was one of the Royal Navy's major submarine areas. I do recognize your picture. The town of Dunoon on the Cowal peninsula lies on the shores of the Clyde just to the south of the loch, and houses continue round the villages of Kirn, Hunter's Quay at the point with the landing slip for Western Ferries, Ardnadam and past Lazaretto Point, the village of Sandbank, with open countryside at the end of the loch, then on the northern shore Kilmun, and at Strone Point the village of Strone continues round to the western shore of the Clyde, almost joining Blairmore on Loch Long. For thirty years, between 1961 and 1992, the Holy Loch was the location of a base for the U.S. Navy's 14th Submarine Squadron. Thank you all for your service, Dot, wife of Leroy T Van Dyne, promoted to CPO in Holy Loch, 1966. Found inside â Page 1079A Soviet submarine base in Cuba could be of considerable military value to the ... naval bases at Holy Loch and Guantanamo , would be in a poor position to ... Nice article Paul, I was on the USS Natick 1969-1971 and saw both the Simon Lake and Canopus exchange duty stations. A submarine tender and a drydock with an assorted collection of naval equipment, all located in a Scottish sea loch provided a vital link during the first decades of the US Navy's Polaris fleet operations, allowing quick and easy access to the patrol areas in the seas around the north and north west coast of . Branch of Service: Navy- Submarine Service Dates of Service: 1963-1970 Location of Military Service: New London, Connecticut- Home base Holy Loch, Scotland- War Base Current Residence: East Orleans, Massachusetts. Made two patrols on 598 boat in 66-67. Linda,You should be proud of your father's service. I hope to take my wife there one day - in the summer, of course.Paul, Hi , I have been looking for a marine froM the Simon lake , 19 66 ,67" 68, his first name was George ,and his last name was blaseg , not sure of the spelling of his last name. Over the years, five different submarine tenders and one floating dry dock served in the loch. Others were Faslane, the channel between Largs and Cumbrae, Rosneath Bay, and Rothesay Bay. Hi Paul,I was stationed with you in Holy Loch. Holy Loch was, for 30 years, the home port of US Navy Submarine Squadron 14. While there we drove just a few miles up the road to Benmore Botanic Garden and discovered a whole new side of Scotland that I never knew about when I was there for the few weeks every 3 months as we turned over or took over the sub (USS Lewis & Clark SSBN 644 Blue). I am very glad I made my way back because it is just a fantastic little piece of heaven on earth that I never saw during my earlier times there. Proteus' crew were reputedly hand picked to give the best possible impression of the US. John L. From, Jr., Capt. The rolling Argyllshire hills, the moderate climate, and the long sunsets reflected in the channel to the Irish Sea, provide excellent hiking, glorious views and picturesque seclusion. I missed being young. Found inside â Page 179Charleston , S.C. , Naval Shipyard and Base . ... operating bases for U.S. naval nuclear - powered submarines in Rota , Spain , and Holy Loch , Scotland . I was a inside machinists/marine mechanoic. 4) the political "friction" brewing over both Holy Loch and even more stridently - Rota. Strange to see no evidence of a sub base. He is also a regular contributor to Counterterrorism magazine and writes their online "Threatcon" column. Hope to return with my wife this summer to see my Dunoon "KIN" once again. By the 1990s, advances in missile capability eliminated the need for these forward bases and Submarine Base New London became home to only "attack" submarines. At the height of the cold war . Refit in Holy Loch & Dunoon afforded me a chance to play tourist many times & meet the locals. Between 1961 and 1982, the Naval Support Activity ashore was administered by US Naval Activities London. Op-Ed: On the front lines, here’s what the seven stages of severe COVID-19 look like, Ultimate SoCal college football sports bar guide: Find out where to watch your team, A popular surfing instructor, QAnon, and an unspeakable horror, Here’s how to spend Labor Day weekend in L.A. and beyond. Although the submariners called the rough-hewn tugboat crews "McHale's Navy" - which we took as a compliment - and we called them "bubble-heads" in return, we knew that . Thanks for writing.Paul, Mike, Good memories of serving with you on the tug. She supported refit and repair operations by submarine tenders Proteus, Hunley, Holland, Simon Lake, and Canopus. Dear Paul, I visited Dunoon Scotland in the summer of 1977. Our US presence here lasted over 31 years and we felt that there needs to be a place for folk to be able to visit. Good to hear from another old shipmate from Holy Loch. The name Holy Loch is believed to date from the 6th century, when Saint Munn landed there after leaving Ireland. He had a house in Dunoon. I went to the local primary and secondary school with many Americans and I have always felt a connection... No matter where you go in the world theres always someone with a Dunoon story or memory.... Its uncanny.... Thanx for sharing, I was a US kid from 1986-1990 there. Lol sorry I just couldn’t help myself... Hey Paul great article, I served on the USS Canopus AS-34 1975 thru 1977 and was on board in Holy Loch for the ships last year of duty out there. The arguments in favour of the deterrent are compelling, delivering cross-party support and carrying the vote overwhelmingly. Holy Loch was deemed a defensible and secure location in the advent of Soviet attack or a nuclear accident, and plans were made for the housing of crew and family in communities near the base and for the arrival of a submarine tender, the USS Proteus (AS-19), on 1 December. I was a SK2. Stopped in Holy Loch for resupply on USS Thomas J Gary DER-326 summer of 1970. See what famous, interesting and notable events happened throughout history on May 23 In 1945, the USS Indianapolis, which had just delivered key components of the Hiroshima atomic bomb to the Pacific island of Tinian, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. I recall he was PA farm boy and previously worked on the floating dry dock. I've tried fish & chips here and there since my Scotland tour, but they have not been the same.Anonymous, I too miss Scotland and it was a fine place to be stationed, even if the winter weather was awful.I miss the place, the people, and I even miss the Navy (Ha).Paul. Found inside â Page 132She concluded that patrol on 23 September at the FBM base at Holy Loch , Scotland . Over the next three and one - half years , the submarine made 15 more ... Alexander Hamilton concluded the latter patrol at Holy Loch, Scotland, in May 1976 and conducted her next three patrols from that base. Have been back several times & played St Andrews. Yeah, Mike. Holy Loch which is adjacent to Faslane on the Firth of Clyde had been the Royal Navy Submarine base during WW2 and the base was established in 1961. Life is still good here in this beautiful part of the world. Found inside â Page 149This beautiful spot on the remote Mull of Kintyre was to become a major weapons ... Holy Loch is now the only major USN European submarine base since the ... Found insideThe now inaptly named Holy Loch would welcome America's nuclear submarine ... in Glasgow and marches to the gates of the new US base but CND's plan for a ... I then rented a flat in Glasgow, where I too took the ferry from Gourock to Dunoon and the navy base. You can go to http://thistlegroup.net/ and perhaps make some contacts there.Thanks for writing.Paul. We had our little spook shack on the back of the ship. It was handed back to the MoD in June 1992. | Photographs show the Blue Crew of USS George Washington, a Polaris missile submarine docked in the bay of Holy Loch, Firth of Clyde, Scotland; local Scottish citizens in support or protest of the Polaris base. On board HMS Exmouth which was based round the corner at Faslane, we co ordinated the operation to keep the berth clear. Happy days. The Navy made the decision to close all three overseas sites - and concentrate the FBM service to one west coast base (Bremmerton) and one east coast base (Kings Bay). My oldest son was born there. Norvell G. Ward, Cmdr. Could you send some photos of yourself - then and now - to www.pauldavisoncrime.com.I wished that I had become friends with you as well. I served aboard The USS Sam Houston SSBN 609 and did 4 patrols out of Holy Loch (Simon Lake then the tender)1967-1969. He fell for one of the many Scottish girls who come hunting in Dunoon’s bars and now has a 2-year-old child. The 4,300 local residents and the 4,000 U. S. sailors and their dependents knew that the thaw, coupled with the advent of the Trident submarines, would mean that the submarine repair and refit base would go. This book reveals the history of the U.S. Navy's presence for 31 years, from 1961 to 1992, at a location in the Scottish Highlands during the Cold War, and the resulting interaction between the Scottish and American men and women. Hi there,Im a local to Dunoon,I live in Kirn,Just across the road from Dunoon Academy secondarily school,Your not missing much.The place has never recovered from the US Navy leaving,slowly declining each year.Woolworths closed about 5 years ago,& the tobacco shop across the road from Woolworths closed about 2 years ago,well the tobacco side of it,isn’t there anymore,but the shop still sells the cool little trinkets etc(ie candy jars)The Calmac ferry service has even stopped to Dunoon.