Time On The USS Marlin SS T-2

USS Marlin SS T-2

Chuck served under the command of three different Captain's (Skippers) during his time on the USS Marlin SS T-2

The first: LCDR R.E. Goldman 1959 -1960

Then: LCDR W.T. Chipman 1960 – 1961

Next was LCDR J.A. Davi 1961-1962

Sometime in 1960 we sold our small mobile home; we would need more space with another baby on the way. We moved into a larger mobile home that belonged to friends Don & Marie Whaley, it was on the backside of Mastic Trailer Park where we now lived.

Another major thing in 1960 was hurricane Donna, Chuck had to go to sea of course; the Boats always went to sea for all of the hurricanes. Stormy and I stayed in the Park Office building with the owners Mario and Winkie Vierra, and a few of the other tenants.

The downstairs of their two story building was made of tabby and there was a well dug for fresh water in the basement area. The basement area was quite spacious and was also where the Office was located. It was quite safe and comfortable. The well had been chiseled and carved into a dead coral bed many years before..

Hurricane Alley

We only had 98 miles per hour winds in Key West, that knocked down some trees and power lines, but there was very little major damage in Key West. 

But the rest of Florida had major damage in some parts. Key West is what all of us who lived there referred to as Hurricane Alley.

After we moved into Don & Marie’s mobile Chuck made the H-A-T, (he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer).  On the day of his Initiation ceremony which was in the afternoon, he was quite drunk by the time he got home.

Dolphins
Part of the ceremony being that he had to drink his Dolphins out of a huge glass of booze. 

It was whatever and how much of various kinds of booze that whoever made it poured in. He rode his Scooter home part-way and walked part-way holding onto the Scooter.

While we were eating dinner he toppled over and fell out of his chair, I helped him up and to bed, and we didn't attend the evening banquet for the wives of those who had been promoted to CPO. Not a big deal for me I was in family way and Stormy was a toddler, baby-sitter was cancelled.

Many times Chuck would go in to work on Saturday when the Boat was not at sea to catch up on paperwork, and he would always take Stormy with him. No matter how nice and pretty she looked when he left home she was always a mess when he brought her home. 

She was a little darling and all the guys would give her all sorts of things to eat, usually chocolate. Many ruined little outfits, but she loved going to the Boat with her daddy. 

Ivory Teething Ring
with Silver Bell

Shortly after Bo was born LCDR R.E. Goldman who was still in the area looked us up; he brought a beautiful gift for Bo. 

It was an ivory teething ring with a silver bell rattle attached, very similar to this photo, the silver bell was plain and had Baby Boy Haven engraved in it. I was so amazed and it really touched my heart that he thought enough of my husband to buy such a nice gift for our son, and then personally deliver it.