The Fudge

One night when Willie had the duty he was in the process of making fresh bread. He was normally an easy going, laid back kinda guy, but there was one guy on the Boat that could get under his skin and punch his button quickly.

McGee ~ was from Mississippi, and he of course had a southern drawl. He also spoke with a high nasal twang. He thought the world of Willie and his cooking. But sometimes he irritated Willie and most especially when he called him Pudge.

It was about 2:00 a m and the phone in the galley rang. Whoever was on watch answered it, and then said to Willie, “It’s for you Sir.” Willie was elbow deep in dough; he had to clean all the dough and flour off his arms and hands before he could answer the phone.

He just assumed it was one of the Officers calling at this time of the night. When he had his hands cleaned off he answered the phone, “Commissaryman 1^st Class Williams speaking Sir.”

Chocolate Fudge

But it was McGee, and he said, “Hey Pudge, you got any fudge?” Willie went ballistic, he told McGee off thoroughly and when he finished he went back into the galley and dumped all of the fudge into the garbage. 

Willie was a little bit sensitive about his weight gain and he really tried to keep his weight down, and McGee’s habit of calling him Pudge was just too much. 

The next time McGee stuck his head into the galley Willie threw something at him. I don’t think Willie ever made anymore fudge after that.

Someone asked him why he dumped the fudge in the garbage, and Willie who never cussed said, "So that s.o.b wouldn't get a bite of it. Not sure if Willie ever forgave him either. And quite naturally it became another sea story.

Dependents Cruise

USS Quillback SS 424

One of the highlights for me while Chuck was serving on the USS Quillback SS 424 was going out to sea with him on the dependents cruise. This is when the officers and sailors are allowed to take members of their families along with them for the day.

I am not sure how many other dependents were aboard that day, but there were quite a few. Chuck basically had the day off and was my personal tour guide. He took me through the Boat and explained each compartment to me. He also explained to me about closing and dogging the hatches between the compartments.

Some of us got to try our hand at the helm briefly; I say some because not everyone wanted to try their hand. Everyone got to have a look through the periscope. All in all it was a wonderful day.

Willie (Commissaryman 1^st Class Lawrence Williams) was still the cook on board and he served a great lunch. We had steak, baked potato with all the trimmings and salad along with some of Willie’s fresh baked bread.

And for the life of me I can’t remember what we had for dessert, but it was not strawberries, and anyone who rode the Quillback at that time knows the strawberry sea story.

Commercial Size Pan

Fudge With Nuts

When he had the duty and often on his days off Willie would come in and bake fresh breads, pastries, pies and other goodies. Oftentimes he would make several huge pans of fudge. 

He did not have to do these extras, he did it because he loved to cook and and he loved to take good care of the crew. A well fed crew is a happy crew. There is also another sea story about the fudge.

After lunch we watched a movie in the mess area (dining area) where we had eaten lunch. Many people have asked me what it was like to ride aboard a submarine. The only way I can describe it is for me the sensation kinda felt like riding in an elevator.

Before the Boat gets underway on the dependents cruise the message is passed at  morning quarters; there will be visitors aboard today, be mindful of your language.

After this dependents cruise I had much more appreciation for the daily sacrifices my husband and all these other sailors and officers make for us in protecting our freedom as a nation in Peace time and War, and I have always been very thankful.

Doc Charette

Every submarine has a Hospital Corpsman that takes care of the medical needs of the crew, at sea and in port unless it is something serious enough to be hospitalized for. My understanding is they are like a Physicians’ Assistant and can do minor surgery if needed. Some can do more.

They keep the crew updated with the battery of shots they have to take before going into foreign ports, as well as all their other health needs.  

Bill Charette 

During my time with Chuck while he served on the USS Quillback SS 424, Bill Charette, was the (Doc). He was the recipient of the Medal of Honor for his valor as a Marine Corpsman in Korea. 

And if I am not mistaken he was the only recipient of the Medal of Honor on active duty at the time he served aboard the Quillback.

video: William Charette Medal of Honor, Korea
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFiy500RKnQ

His wife Louise (Lou) was also from Lake Wales where Chuck was born. We knew them quite well. We had dinner in each others homes several times.  Had a lot of fun together at Ship’s Parties and Reunions after we all retired. 

One Ship’s Party that stands out in my mind was the one we had at the Casa Marina in 1959, long before it was restored to what you see today.

Present Casa Marina Hotel

If I'm not mistaken I am pretty sure that Lou and I was both with child at the time and couldn't get in the pool, at least I am sure that I was. So happy we couldn't because it got a little wild before the night ended, but it was such fun to sit on the sideline and be a people watcher that night!

Before Doc Charette, the Hospital Corpsman on the Quillback was Doc Jones, but I didn't meet him till quite sometime later at the Reunion in Key West; he had already been transferred to another Boat by the time Chuck and I got together, Chuck had served on the Quillback with him too. 

Hospital Corpsmen are a very necessary part of the crew. The Boats could not operate without the Doc’s who serve aboard. I think at that time Doc Charette was an HM1, but by the time he retired he was a Master Chief and was qualified for Nuclear Boats.

They have lived in Lake Wales as far as I know since retirement, before Chuck passed on ~ to Eternal Patrol ~ we visited with them a few times. Doc came to Chuck's goodbye service in Cedar Key, Florida and I truly appreciated that he did. So happy that Doc and Lou were a part of our lives!

Darlene

Darlene
Photo on Dock in Mobile 1956
Permission to use granted by Web Master
USS Quillback SS 424 Site

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about Darlene even though I never knew her, she was before my time. Chuck knew her though, she was the Boat mascot.

I am pretty sure she became the mascot sometime in 1955 when the Boat was in the yard.  She was loved and well cared for by those who served aboard the Quillback.

To refresh memories Chuck served aboard the Quillback from February 10, 1956 through June 09, 1959. He was known to his shipmates as C. B. and at that time he was a 1^st class Engineman.

She would follow the guys on the beach, but when she got tired or she’d had enough she went back to the Boat. One of the new guys on the Boat told a story that he went on the beach and when he started back a dog followed him all the way to the Boat, the topside watch told him she’s the Boat mascot and she smelled the Boat on him.

In 1956 the Boat went to the Mardi Gras on a Good Will Tour, John Graham and Jack Scarry took Darlene along with them when they went ashore and stopped someplace where there was a roller coaster. The man in charge didn't want to let Darlene ride so they bought her a ticket and she rode with them.

She would get nervous when the Boat was snorkeling. The Boats had a snorkel device that allowed them to operate below the surface while still taking air from the surface; I would imagine that it was quite noisy. 

She would usually go to the maneuvering room and stay with whoever was on watch at the time till the snorkeling was finished.

Another time the Boat was in ‘Gitmo’ and there was a bunch of goats running around loose, Darlene amazed the entire crew by rounding them up and putting them back in their shelter.

Darlene was left behind with a crew member when the Boat made a trip to the North Atlantic to take part in major exercises with the United Kingdom in the fall of 1956. 

They had a rough time, and very rough seas. When they came back stateside Chuck told me they were told to come in under the cover of darkness because the Boat was so beat up and looked so bad. 

When the Boat returned to Key West the crew was told the sad news that Darlene had died while they were away.

A Happy Day

One evening when Chuck had the duty (every fourth night was duty night) he was walking down the dock returning from someplace he’d been, I don’t remember where. The Quillback was tied up outboard another Boat, and I do not remember the name of it. 

Boats tied alongside each other at the docks

Sitting with his back against the conning tower was an old and dear friend, Wilbur (Red) Allen from Cedar Key, he and Chuck had enlisted in the Navy together. 

He watched Chuck walking down the dock and he said to him-self, “There ain’t but one little s.o.b in the world that walks like that.” Chuck did have a very distinctive walk.

He just waited to see where Chuck was going as he had no idea which Boat Chuck was stationed on. Eventually Chuck crossed the gang plank of the Boat Wilbur was sitting on.

He was crossing over to the Quillback, and he was not paying any attention to the person sitting with his back against the conning tower. The guys on duty often sit there when they are not on watch.

Wilbur waited till Chuck had just passed him and then he spoke, “Where the hell do you think you’re going you little sawed off s.o.b.?" Then he stood up as Chuck turned around to see who was addressing him in such a manner.

It took a second for Chuck to recognize Wilbur; it had been twelve years since they had last seen each other, what a great reunion they had! They had been best friends since they were kids and before they joined the Navy together.

From then on we visited with him and Pauline (his wife) and family often, Pauline always called him George, Chuck still called him Red. He had a wild sense of humor and would keep you laughing constantly when he was around. At that time Chuck and I still had no children.

Flying Flowers

Butterflies are what I often call flying flowers and I love to just sit and watch them. I have quite a few plants in my yard that attracts them; all planted for that purpose. I used to have a lot more, but some of our severe winters killed them off, and I haven't replaced them.

I see so many different kinds in my yard, fluttering about on gossamer wings. When my grandson Charlie lived with me he would use my phone camera and take photos for me and then download them into my computer. I still have a few of those photos that didn't fry when my old computer died.

Tiger yellow form 

Just this morning I was sitting on my porch and my White Crape Myrtle trees are in full bloom, I watched a beautiful Tiger yellow form swallowtail for about thirty minutes feeding on the nectar of the gorgeous blooms.  

This photo is not my Crape Myrtle, photo is for illustration purpose.  

Longwing Zebra
on a Passion Flower

There was also a Zebra Longwing that kept returning to the white blooms.The Zebra Longwing actually prefers the Passion Vine both as a food (nectar) source and for laying eggs and a food source for their larvae. I don't have any Passion Vine in my yard.

There is a tiny Wren that has built her nest in an old straw hat that I have hanging on the porch, she flies in and out continuously feeding her babies. I see her catching bugs in the Crape Myrtles' to feed them.

My Red Spike Plant

I will try to list a few of the ones I have seen at different times in my yard. The Giant swallowtail I see quite often and when my Red Spike Plant is blooming I have seen as many as eight at one time on it.

Giant swallowtail

Orange Dog

I have orange trees in my back yard and the Giant’s lay their eggs on it and they hatch out, the larvae are called Orange Dogs. So far I have only seen a few Giant's this year. There will be a lot more of them later.

He is not very pretty, but he sure turns into a beautiful butterfly.

Sulpher

Gulf Fritillary

I will list a couple more that I see very frequently and in great numbers. There are so many more and different kinds, I will only show the two directly above and list more later in another writing.

I was sitting here at my computer one day year before last, and I can see out into the yard, I saw this beautiful creature and my heart skipped a beat, I thought am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?

So I jumped up and quickly ran outside and yelled for Charlie. And sure enough it was a Tiger black form swallowtail. I had to rescue it not once, but twice.

Tiger black form swallowtail 

He came out and took this picture and a minute later the butterfly flew up into a spider web, I knew I had to do something quickly before the spider got to it and stung it. 

So I grabbed up a stick from the ground and got it untangled, and it flew again directly into another web on the other side of the huge wild Lantana plant that it was feeding from. 

I hurried around to the other side and rescued it again, it flew up and away, but it never came back and so far it has been the first and only one I have ever seen in my yard.

Garden Spider

The Garden spiders spin webs for the sole purpose of trapping, killing and eating the butterflies, the only way to discourage them without using pesticides is to continually tear their webs down. 

I've spent a lot of time doing that. Pesticides would also kill the butterflies; which would defeat the purpose of having a butterfly garden.

Florida Lobster

Chuck and I loved to fish, and living at the Park on Stock Island was an ideal situation for us. He had a 14 foot boat but he had left it with a friend in St. Petersburg to keep for him till he was settled again someplace.

We were surrounded by water and could fish almost anywhere. There were canals throughout the Park, but we had not been fortunate enough to get one of those spots.

Islander Drive-in Theater

There was a point at the end of the Park we found that we could sit and fish every night and watch and hear the movie at the same time. 

Look closely at the top right of the photo, between the hedge around the Drive-In and the little white building is where the point was located that we sat to fish. This was next to the channel that ran under the Stock Island Bridge and directly across from the U S Naval Hospital.

A smaller channel 8 to 10 feet deep that branched off the Stock Island channel ran up next to the bank which was all sizes of rocks where we sat and fished, and I think you can see the smaller channel in the photo, we caught all kinds of fish there. Grunts, yellowtail, snapper etc, we always had fresh fish to eat and enough to freeze some too.

One night we were fishing and I got something on my line, I would reel in a bit and it would stop. It felt heavy but didn't fight like a fish. Chuck laughed and teased, "You have some Florida real estate hooked."

But I continued reeling in when I could, and eventually I had it close enough, I said, "Shine the light down here and let's see what I have on my line." When he shined the light we could see that it was a big Spiny Lobster (Longusta or just Guster), some folks call them Florida Crayfish

A Spiny Lobster

The light caused it to go nuts, in thrashing around trying to get away from the light it broke loose, and skittered underneath the rocks we were sitting on.  Chuck had to get overboard while I held the light for him and get hold of the antennae to carefully work it out, if you aren't really careful doing this the antennae will break off.

We weren't ready to stop fishing for the night and had to figure out what to do with the Lobster. Chuck looked in the tackle box and found an extra fish stringer and lassoed the Guster and tied it to a rock.

But our crazy dog would not leave it alone, he was so curious about it. The Lobster was going crazy.  I finally told Chuck, "I don’t want to lose my Lobster let’s call it a night." That one large broiled Lobster tail with baked potato and salad was enough for dinner for the two of us.

Fishing

At some point during our time in the Trailer Park at Stock Island Chuck made a quick weekend trip to St. Pete and brought his boat, motor and trailer back. It was really nice now we could go out on the boat to fish.

We both loved to troll using silver spoons as bait, sometimes we fished in the Ferry Channel (for those who don't know at one time a huge ferry ran to and from Key West to Cuba)  the channel was dug quite deep to accommodate the Ferry. 

Many times we trolled about halfway out to the J Marker. Occasionally we ventured on out to the 12 mile reef. The water over the reef is quite shallow in places. But when you go beyond the reef it gets really deep; like dark blue and then purple. Wherever we fished we always caught really nice fish.

MahiMahi Steaks

Bull-Nose Dolphin

I loved catching the big ones, like the Bull-Nose Dolphin. 
It is from this fish we get MahiMahi on the menu.  They are one of the most colorful and beautiful fish in the water, and fresh caught, but color changes to a dull drab not long out of the water.

 Kingfish still in the water

Kingfish Steaks

We also caught Kingfish they are so much fun to catch. strong fighters and when you boat one you know you have just caught a big fish. This fish gives us really nice steaks for broiling or grilling.


We caught numerous Grouper, I am not sure how many different kinds of Grouper there are, but many of those can be caught in the waters around Key West.

There are many ways to prepare Grouper, they make a delicious chowder, red or white base, they are quite delicious when blackened. The meat is white and very delicate.

Grouper

My favorite is Grouper fingers, dipped in a light egg wash and lightly breaded with either flour or cracker meal and fried in an iron skillet in a little oil and drained well.



And last but not the least of the larger fish we caught was the Spanish Mackerel. They don't seem to get as big as the Kingfish, but they do get quite large and they are really strong fighters a lot of fun to catch. Very tasty when broiled or grilled. Mackerel and Kingfish are also good smoked.

Spanish Mackerel

When he wasn't at sea we went fishing every day after Chuck got home in the afternoons. But we loved to eat what we caught and any excess went in the freezer and was often shared with friends and guests. None was ever wasted.