Loss and return of the Raton Rat

Since 12-17-04

From: Charles C King
To: bdecker@shentel.net
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 12:51 PM

Bill:

A little correction to the history of the Rat. Joe was the C.O. and we were in Guam in upkeep coming back from Yoko to the states. I was not the X.O. That was Lou Shea, all three hundred pounds of him---and a great guy. He got a green light going through the forward hatch. I was Asst. Eng. and Comms. Anyway, the idea of the Rat came from seeing Chaniti's Rooster and Pomodon's Buddha. We (Eng's) asked the guys in the support facility in Guam to fashion the Rat.

For five pounds of coffee, I think, they were more than happy to oblige. We were the only boat in and the facility did not have much to do. It was the duty of the cooks to keep the ships bell and the Rat polished. They did it with great care and pride. True, he had long legs then, but by the time he was stolen so many times the legs gradually got shorter. We had to have the topside watch sign for his .45, ammo, belt and one brass Rat in order to keep him intact.

We considered insulating him from the hull and attaching him to a 110 volt outlet. Not a good idea, but was considered. Even then he was stolen more than once.

That the Rat has become somewhat of a legend is terrific. Little did I know back then he would become the subject of folk lore, myth, some lies, (embellishments), and pride. If he is indeed at Groton, then his history is and that of Raton well preserved. If you want some more Raton stories, ask the aux gang how they painted the turtle back of Salmon pink one Sunday night in S.D. and the repercussions after----to the Salmon crew by their C.O. Big Daddy Whitmire. Think this was in 60 or 61.

Chuck King Capt. USN (ret) 59-62
 

On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 09:55:04 -0500 "Bill Decker" <bdecker@shentel.net> writes: Kenny

First of all its good to hear from you and that you are feeling better. Glad to see you have your sense of humor. I have been told that the original rat is preserved in the archives of the Submarine Museum at the main gate of Submarine Base in Groton. I am the protecter of its brother and take it to each reunion. It was entrusted to me by CO Joesph Talago Jr (61-63) who asked his XO Charles King to have two made on the tender. Captain Talago kept one and the other was mounted on the Raton sail. It had long legs to begin with and was brass. Over its lifetime it got shorter legs and chromed along with everything else on the Raton that could be taken off to the chrome shop.

JR and the rest of you guys will have to come up with the other answers.

Bill

From: "kenneth shaum" <kshaum@yahoo.com>
To:  "Bill Decker" <bdecker@shentel.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 9:17 AM

Dear Buddy's:

A few thoughts came to me the other day. They are few and far between.

What ever happened to the Chromed Rat we had on the bridge of the Raton? Part of topside watch was protecting it. Another part was practicing your quick draw. You can all admit it now we all did. I was very good. One night nested I think beside the Rasher they swiped it. It was not on my watch. We were very embarrassed. We got it back, but with red faces. Ballast Point. What a place!

A friend of mine named Trullinger and I go to the Pump Room for a few brew skis. We did our deed and in trying to get back to the boat. Nested out about the fourth, we decide to try walking the brow side by side. This my fellow sailors can not be done. I could do a 180 in a torpedo tube but never was small enough to do that.

We fell over the side. Me to port, him to starboard. there was a man overboard called. I am laughing at the heavies coming my way. I can't get up for I am so tickled.

It gets better. We have some kind of monster inspection the next morning. Admiral Blah Blah I think it was I had been wearing my undress blues and had uniform ready. Trullinger was in the same uniform he was in the Pump room. In the San Diego sun he turned white. Salty indeed.

At Hunter's Point I worked like a slave. I was a non qualified puke and had to work 28 hours for every day. My right of passage.

I did shack up with a woman. One night I had some kind of weird duty like chipping tiles and she decides to visit me. I was no expert about subs, but I take her on a tour. In the galley is a book. This book I ask J.R. about what happened to it. It was called the "Pig Book" It was very cruel.

She insisted to see it. She found her picture. It was not my entry. I got so tickled with her look I was not the same for days. Where is that Pig book J.R.? I figure after so many years, you where in charge of it.

I am always,

Kenny