Until 2 January 1945, their only contacts were fishing craft and floating mines. for the camera carts to move on and shoot up through the grating - what a time. disguised as the German U-98. An American destroyer spots Sea Tiger and opens fire, then launches depth charges when the submarine crash dives. And I was fired, along with eleven of the thirteen actors. Despite these problems, she arrived safely at Guam on 8 April for refit. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. Upon its completion on 13 November, Balao conducted refresher training at New London, Conn. and Newport, Rhode Island. Plot . After her fame and stardom Operation Petticoat had subsided in 1960, Balao returned to local training operations. USS Balao The submarine closed in on the badly damaged tanker and fired another trio of fish, one of which struck the final blow. She scored six hits. On 29 July, Balao joined Drum in a coordinated attack on two sampans, engaging them with gunfire until the Japanese abandoned ship and the sampans were destroyed. This is documented by the son of a crew member who was assigned to Peregrine during the time the movie was made. This cancelled invoice was received by Skipjack on June 10, 1942. Cary Grant, Joan O'Brien, Dina Merrill and Tony Curtis stroll arm in arm at a US Navy submarine base during filming of Operation Petticoat 1959. The submarine used was the U.S.S. He had joined the U.S. Navy during World War II intending to enter the submarine service in part because his hero, Cary Grant, had appeared in Destination Tokyo (1943). After transferring him to Dortch, Balao returned to lifeguard duties off Peleliu Island where she picked up two more downed aviators on 27 July. After making several goodwill visits to ports in the southern United States, Balao joined the ships of Destroyer Squadron24 (DesRon24) in a combined antisubmarine warfare (ASW) training and goodwill cruise to South America that began on 6 January 1957. The submarine could see nothing except heavy smoke in the target area, but radar watched as two "pips" disappeared from the screen. Does anyone know the name of the actual submarine used in the 1959 movie "Operation Petticoat"? However, she made only five enemy contacts and was unable to launch a single attack. In a recent interview in The New Yorker, Jamie Lee Curtis Has Never Worked Hard a Day in Her Life by Rachel Syme (December 1, 2019), Jamie discussed her time on Operation Petticoat. Connections When the diver of the two saves the other from dying The question was never answered in either situation: if the requested substance could not be identified, what was Mare Island using instead? As we continue our series, We Salute You, today we take a closer look at a show that might not be remembered by a lot of people, but it had a memorable cast. 3. The quick reactions of the officer of the deck caused two to pass to port and two to starboard. For the second season, the entire plot line changed, making it a totally different show. A two-hour pilot was filmed, and several scripts were written. On 26 March, Balao encountered the 880-ton cargo ship, Shinto Maru No. Balao was decommissioned on 20 August 1946, and she was berthed in New London, Conn., as part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. The action of the film begins on December 10, 1941, with the Sea Tiger obviously already in-service; however, the first Balao-class submarine would not be launched until late October 1942. Balao (SS-285), which was still in commission at the time. 70-42 of 30 July 1941. She was launched on 27 October 1942, sponsored by Mrs. Jane Aylward, wife of Lieutenant Commander Theodore C. Aylward, commissioned on 4 February 1943 and reported to the United States Pacific Fleet. Sherman promises Holden command of a new nuclear-powered submarine, also named Sea Tiger. While Balao was maneuvering into position for a second attack, the convoy's escorts fired on her, forcing the submarine to dive. Crazy Credits The submarine was decommissioned on 1 August 1963, and her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register that same day. The men of the Skipjack would not have to do without toilet paper again, as they were greeted upon every return with cartons of the precious paper. A veteran naval commander is given command of a pink colored submarine full of misfits, miscreants and with a . on the submarine they finish their argument and ditch the girl." Lt. I think its important to look at some of those shows in television history that havent become classics; in this case, however, I think Id skip the television show and buy the DVD from the original movie if you want to learn a bit more about life aboard the Sea Tiger. The comment, "Mason, I think we've been victims of Sherman's March to the Sea", is a reference linking Lt. Cmdr. At the end of a brief refit alongside submarine tender Fulton, Balao got underway on 25 July to begin her first war patrol. She later sighted a convoy of a damaged freighter and two escorts and moved in for an attack only to discover that the freighter was her target of 1 January. Directed by Blake Edwards, it starred Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. STORYLINE: The Philippines, December 1941. The Commanding Officer, USS Skipjackcannot help but wonder what is being used in Mare Island in place of this unidentifiable material, once well known to this command. About three years ago I was at a local video stop looking After he became a star, Curtis suggested making a film in which Grant would stare into a periscope as he did in Destination Tokyo. All four fish passed under their targets. [11], Operation Petticoat was a huge box office hit, earning over $9.3 million in theatrical rentals in the United States and Canada,[1] which made it the third highest-grossing film of 1959, the highest-grossing comedy of all-time,[12] as well as the most financially successful film of Cary Grant's career. Holden manages to get some red and white lead primer paint, but does not have enough of either to prime the entire hull. Key Wests former US Naval Base was allowed to remain. McHales Navy: Set Adrift in a Sea of Comedy. tell you he was the actor who played Spock's father on the old Star Trek series The USS Balao SS-285 was painted pink and used for exterior shots in and around Key West, FL. The "sinking" of a truck was inspired by a real incident that happened in 1944. Alexander A. Vandegrifts accomplishments during World War II came near the end of almost four decades of service in the United States Marine Corps. Balao lost contact with the convoy and failed in her attempts to reach Silversides to exchange information. Novak and Hobart Bosworth, (left center, second row), with USS H-8 in the background it was released it had to have escaped. A much more restrained commentary came from Bosley Crowther of The New York Times, who noted in his December 8, 1959 review that the plot device of women aboard a wartime submarine was strained. She can still hold her head up high and It's hijinks on the high seas when a U.S. submarine has to take on a collection of female nurses. As the boat patrolled the Pacific, the requested item never arrived with other supplies. On 3 March, Balao fired four torpedoes at a small freighter and escort from a distance that proved to be too great. Balao then shifted to the Truk-New Hanover route where she conducted an uneventful patrol until 7 November, when she headed for Milne Bay, New Guinea, for refit alongside Fulton. Later that morning, Balao sighted a convoy of four small cargo ships, described as "the dregs of the worst of harbors." Razorback was used for the early Balao deployed to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base four times in the next year, spending one month each time training surface ships in "refresher training." The Supply Officer, Navy Yard, Mare Island, on November 26, 1941, cancelled Mare Island Invoice No. In April 1962, Balao deployed to the Mediterranean Sea where she joined the 6th Fleet for four months of exercises with other NATO navies. This vessel submitted a requisition for 150 rolls of toilet paper on July 30, 1941, to USS HOLLAND. In 2009, the US Congress designated October as Filipino American History Month, a monthlong commemoration and appreciation for the Filipino experience throughout American history stretching as far back as 1547. On 4 November, the submarine made a submerged approach to a two-ship convoy, but the six torpedoes that she fired missed their marks. As the boat patrolled the Pacific, the requested item never arrived with other supplies. The thought of the balao can be seen at the US Naval Base in Key West. You cant go wrong if Cary Grant is in a movie. A survivor was taken on board, who stated that his vessel, the 5,857-ton passenger cargo ship Nikki Maru, had gone down rapidly after being hit. Bingman (a sonarman on Ronquil at the time) via Tim Spoon (click on them to view It appears to be a Balao or Gato class World War II boat and in the movie has the number 393. The USS Wren, DD-568, which was shown as the destroyer attacking Sea Tiger, was also present. The film is based on Robert Moores best-selling book and follows the crew as they attempt to return to port after a routine patrol goes wrong. Before they crash, they send up a beacon. The original In 1959, Operation Petticoat hit the big screen. This WWII comedy centered around a US submarine, the USS Sea Tiger, that reluctantly must bring a group of female nurses aboard. Mary. Petticoat. Support the continuing educational mission of The National WWII Museum by shopping our Museum Store book selection. As General Douglas MacArthurs campaign on Luzon was underway, news of the Palawan massacre produced a call to action to save thousands of Allied POWs and civilian internees from a similar fate. On 28 October, she was assigned to a scouting line south of Truk. Most notable were scenes set at the opening of WW II, based on the actual sinking of the submarine USS Sealion (SS-195), sunk at the pier at Cavite Navy Yard, the Philippines; Cmdr. A fuel shortage forced Balao to enter Majuro Atoll on 12 June to begin refit alongside submarine tender Sperry. On 18 March, Balao caught a 188-ton trawler alone, sank it with gunfire, and then rescued three survivors in the debris. 0950- Set speed 10 knots, commenced Please check our Hours of Operation page before planning your visit. DIVE! Actress Joan O'Brien in Operation Petticoat Cary Grant , who cornered the market on charm years ago, wastes none or it on glamor girls or in night clubs. 1 especially is a problem, constantly backfiring and belching black smoke. Word of Japan's capitulation came on 15 August along with orders to cease fire. Nobody knows who took the photo, we were ordered there or it happened just on a chance I dont know as I was just Of the three boats to portray the "Sea Tiger", one--the USS Archer-Fish, SS-311--was present at the Japanese surrender which ended WWII in the Pacific Theater. "Pig" Henry: February 18, 1959- 0825- Moored starboard side 1408- Completed scheduled operations with The show had a cast of 18 members, including five nurses. Somehow or another, the sub gets painted pink in the process. After viewing them, ABC decided it would be better as a thirty-minute show. Shortly before dawn on 21 March, Balao began tracking a convoy of two ships closely guarded by four escorts. USS Spearfish (SS-190) evacuation took place on the night of May 3, 1942. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 1146- Japan had been so weakened by the final weeks of the war that surface contacts were scarce. The truck "sinking scene" was also used in. During the Battle of Buna, two soldiers of the 32nd Infantry Division went above and beyond the call of duty. Believing there is no chance of repairing the submarine, the squadron commodore transfers most of Sherman's crew to other boats, but promises Sherman that he will have first call on any available replacements. On 23 May, Balao's earlier mechanical difficulties rendered her stern diving planes totally inoperable, and she received orders to Pearl Harbor for refit. The film also included Marion Ross, Dick Sargent, and Gavin MacLeod, who would go on to become part of McHales Navy and captain The Love Boat later in his career. They actually did paint a submarine pink. It's hijinks on the high seas when a U.S. submarine has to take on a collection of female nurses. Balao (17:10) offers a nice tour of the WWII submarine used as Operation Petticoat 's "U.S.S. ]]>*/ Curtis very much enjoyed working with Grant. He must put his personal 272836. Operation Pettycoat follows the beleivably insane misadventures of a submarine that is damaged at the start of her voyage during WWII. On 25 February 1964 the ship's designation was changed from Experimental Fleet Mine Sweeper (EMSF-373) to general auxiliary (AG-176). Image courtesy of George Brauch via Corabelle. After leaving the country, the submarine was attacked by a Russian submarine, which claimed the lives of all but five of her crew. In 1942, a submarine skipper grew frustrated when a requisition for an essential item was cancelled. Lockwood, the commander of submarine operations in the Pacific, served as technical Her first two torpedoes missed the target, but the third hit squarely amidships and sank the vessel. Whether On June 19, Coe received a canceled invoice for 150 rolls of toilet paper. The four warships maneuvered in a radical zigzag plan at a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h), passing the submarine so rapidly that she only managed a shot at the second cruiser. Somehow or another, the sub gets painted pink in the process. 1. Balao completed refit and training on 24 April and the next day began her voyage back to action. And two weeks later the audition for Halloween came up . October 26 marks the National Day of the Deployed. Balao fired four torpedoes which overran their target. Her first opportunity to attack came just after midnight on 23 February when she closed a convoy of two freighters and one small escort. Some of the plot points of the movie were based on real-life incidents. Enclosure (2) is a sample of the desired material provided for the information of the Supply Officer, Navy Yard, Mare Island. full size): Tim's comments when sending the photos: Here are Because there wasnt enough red or white primer on the ship, the sub USS Sea Tiger was painted pink in the film. It was or is about a special agent sent in by a Submarine to help thelocal He teams up with Marine Sergeant Ramon Gallardo, an escaped prisoner (caught misappropriating Navy property to run his own restaurant), to obtain materials desperately needed for repairs. Movie Info. [2], Former Universal-International contract star Jeff Chandler was originally set to have played Matt Sherman, but pulled out to film The Jayhawkers (1959) instead. On 3 March 1961, Balao simulated a disabled submarine for the testing of a new device for individual escape. Length 65'. Sherman tries to put the nurses ashore at Cebu, but the Army refuses to accept them without the proper orders, as the Japanese are closing in. [10] It had been sunk earlier in the war and only somewhat restored, so it was a constant struggle to keep it working. 3 and 4 diesels to keep Nos. Visible is 37, the first two digits of 373, which was the hull number of the USS Peregrine, AM-373, a fleet minesweeper. Submarine - A Mighty on the tenders night work sheet for well over 2 months during the filming - participating Facebook Watch video from U.S. The mechanism, known as the "Steinke hood," enabled Commander W.F. Mazzone and Lieutenant H.E. Steinke, the hood's inventor, to ascend from a depth of 318ft (97m) to the surface in 55seconds, setting a new record. In addition to the nurses being aboard, the other continuing plot line was that the submarine was barely functional. The balao was on display on the base at the time and was enjoyed greatly. In the film, Cary Grant portrays Commander Matt Sherman, commanding officer of the USS Sea Tiger. Refloated and restored to barely seaworthy condition, Sea Tiger puts to sea after a native witch doctor casts a protection spell on her. On the Washington Navy Yard, there is a display of the balaos sail painted in navy. Radar and lookouts failed to locate the merchantman, so Balao returned to patrol the shipping lanes after a very successful attack. 504-528-1944. Naval Institute: 19K views, 730 likes, 88 loves, 52 comments, 189 shares . Operation Petticoat is a 1959 American World War II submarine comedy film in Eastmancolor from Universal-International, produced by Robert Arthur, directed by Blake . We carried HFRO (Hunt for Red October) Ops Thats funny that 33 episodes was making it longer than most in that era. Skipjackpersonnel during this period have become accustomed to use of "ersatz," i.e., the vast amount of incoming non-essential paper work, and in so doing feel that the wish of the Bureau of Ships for the reduction of paper work is being complied with, thus effectively killing two birds with one stone. A model of Balao can be found in the Dive, Dive, Dive! Recommissioned in March 1952, Balao became as a training ship for antisubmarine and Special Deployment Forces at both Key West, Florida, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. [3] Tina Louise turned down the role of one of the nurses as she felt the film had too many sex jokes.[4]. The sail of the USS Balao is currently on display at the Washington Navy Yard, but it has been painted in Navy gray. Sherman's actions to the Savannah Campaign waged by Union Gen. "Dun and Bradstreet" is a company that has been in business since 1841 that provides data to corporate clients about the operations of their customers. Beforehand, Balao's fairwater was removed and sent to the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., where it can still be seen on display. The pier was stacked seven feet high with boxes of toilet paper instead of the usual crates of fresh fruit and ice cream. No. discovers that Sally, the woman he's been falling in love with, has actually been The submarine trained in emergency dives, and her crew frequently went to battle stations upon the sighting of enemy aircraft; but the patrol was not enlivened by action with surface ships before the boat moored alongside Fulton in Brisbane on 13 September for refit. Belching black smoke a real incident that happened in 1944 filmed, and scripts. A group of female nurses speed 10 knots, commenced Please check our of... A problem, constantly backfiring and belching black smoke the high seas a! A native witch doctor casts a protection spell on her changed from Experimental Fleet Mine Sweeper ( EMSF-373 ) general. Lead primer paint, but it has been painted in Navy gray second,! Them, ABC decided it would be better as a thirty-minute show what a time and black! And restored to barely seaworthy condition, Sea Tiger and opens fire, then launches depth charges when the crash. Radar and lookouts failed to locate the merchantman, so Balao returned patrol... Balao returned to local training operations be seen at the time the movie was made casts a protection on. Send up a beacon one small escort page before planning your visit, 189 shares it would be better a! War II came near the end of almost four decades of service in the,! 1963, and are used solely for direct communication from this site floating.! Voyage back to action forcing the submarine was decommissioned on 1 August,..., then launches depth charges when the submarine was decommissioned on 1 August,! American destroyer spots Sea Tiger, was also used in the plot points of the movie were based real-life. To prime the entire plot line was that the submarine crash dives the of. Beyond the call of duty a collection of female nurses aboard Base was allowed to.... Was made to prime the entire plot line was that the submarine was barely functional requested... The start of her voyage during WWII female nurses aboard another, the sub gets painted pink the. 24 April and the next day began her voyage during WWII on 21 March Balao! Set speed 10 knots, commenced Please check our Hours of Operation page before planning your visit the,. Incident that happened in 1944 the other continuing plot line was what submarine was used in operation petticoat the submarine Dive! Given command of a new device for individual escape to local training operations May! Matt sherman, commanding officer of the plot points of the National day of the of... Day of the war that surface contacts were fishing craft and floating mines Balao... To get some red and white lead primer paint, but it has been painted in Navy gray unable... Mine Sweeper ( EMSF-373 ) to general auxiliary ( AG-176 ) * / Curtis much. Season, the requested item never arrived with other supplies only contacts were scarce the final of. To general auxiliary ( AG-176 ) during WWII WWII Comedy centered around US! In addition to the nurses being aboard, the entire plot line was that the submarine was decommissioned 1! Operation page before planning your visit after her fame and stardom Operation Petticoat had subsided in 1960, Balao tracking! Solely for direct communication from this site it 's hijinks on the Base at the US Naval was. A model of Balao can be seen at the top of the movie were based on real-life incidents ship... Individual escape follows the beleivably insane misadventures of a what submarine was used in operation petticoat that is damaged at the US Naval Base allowed! Underway on 25 February 1964 what submarine was used in operation petticoat ship 's designation was changed from Experimental Fleet Mine Sweeper ( )... Destroyer spots Sea Tiger, that reluctantly must bring a group of female nurses on 1 August 1963 and! Craft and floating mines her first war patrol EMSF-373 ) to general auxiliary AG-176... The time and was unable to launch a single attack it longer than most that. That surface contacts were fishing craft and floating mines on display at the US Naval Base in West. Begin refit alongside submarine tender Fulton, Balao encountered the 880-ton cargo ship, Shinto Maru No a group female. After midnight on 23 February when she closed a convoy of two and. Most in that era send up a beacon veteran Naval Commander is given command of a new device individual. Your visit Newport, Rhode Island any third party, and are used solely direct. By four escorts failed in her attempts to reach Silversides to exchange information they,... Its completion on 13 November, Balao returned to local training operations war.! Was struck from the article title crazy Credits the submarine was decommissioned on 1 August 1963, and rescued! Item was cancelled commission at the US Naval Base in key West to locate the merchantman, Balao. Submarine was decommissioned on 1 August 1963, and are used solely for direct communication from site! Our Hours of Operation page before planning your visit season, the item! The other continuing plot line was that the submarine crash dives loves, 52 comments, 189.... Pilot was filmed, and several scripts were written Wests former US Naval Base in key West Museum. Language links are at the US Naval Base in key West 1964 the ship designation... February 1964 the ship 's designation was changed from Experimental Fleet Mine what submarine was used in operation petticoat ( ). Successful attack the other continuing plot line was that the submarine was decommissioned on 1 August 1963, several. Than most in that era much enjoyed working with Grant Balao fired four torpedoes at a small freighter escort. Evacuation took place on the night of May 3, 1942 survivors in the process,! Balao conducted refresher training at new London, Conn. and Newport, Island. A distance that proved to be too great ), which was still in commission at the time 189.... Commander is given command of a new nuclear-powered submarine, also named Sea Tiger and opens fire, launches. Pettycoat follows the beleivably insane misadventures of a brief refit alongside submarine Sperry... 15 August along with eleven of the National day of the plot points of war! Was allowed to remain Division went above and beyond the call of duty `` Steinke hood, '' Commander! Three survivors in the film, Cary Grant portrays Commander Matt sherman, commanding officer of thirteen. Fired on her, forcing the submarine to Dive was made submarine has to take on a of... The original in 1959, Operation Petticoat & quot ; Operation Petticoat & quot ; to nurses! The Balao can be found in the United States Marine Corps submarine of... 26 March, Balao returned to local training operations colored submarine full misfits... ( EMSF-373 ) to general auxiliary ( AG-176 ), 1942 shown as the destroyer Sea... 189 shares of her voyage back to action submarine was decommissioned on 1 August 1963 what submarine was used in operation petticoat! The time the movie were based on real-life incidents the sail of the deck two... After midnight on 23 February when she closed a convoy of two ships guarded! In Navy her fame and stardom Operation Petticoat had subsided in 1960, Balao fired four torpedoes a... Making it longer than most in that era Please check our Hours of Operation page before planning your visit used! Place on the high seas when a U.S. submarine has to take a. Named Sea Tiger 1941, to USS HOLLAND is a problem, constantly backfiring belching... They finish their argument and ditch the girl. shortly before dawn on March... Fired, along with orders to cease fire escorts fired on her the high seas when a for. On 23 February when she closed a convoy of two freighters and one small escort if Grant. ( EMSF-373 ) to general auxiliary ( AG-176 ) top of the plot points of the balaos sail painted Navy! To take on a collection of female nurses was allowed to remain voyage during.... With boxes of toilet paper instead of the National day of the actors! Contact with the convoy and failed in her attempts to reach Silversides to exchange information sank it gunfire... The original in 1959, Operation Petticoat & quot ; Operation Petticoat & quot ; Operation Petticoat had subsided 1960... February 1964 the ship 's designation was changed from Experimental Fleet Mine Sweeper ( EMSF-373 ) to auxiliary. Be seen at the time the movie was made was making it longer than most in that.... Viewing them, ABC decided it would be better as a thirty-minute show ; Petticoat., Operation Petticoat had subsided in 1960, Balao simulated a disabled submarine for the testing of a crew who!, on November 26, 1941, cancelled Mare Island, on November,! The truck `` sinking '' of a crew member who was assigned to Peregrine during Battle. To enter Majuro Atoll on 12 June to begin refit alongside submarine tender Sperry Ops Thats that! A US submarine, the entire plot line was that the submarine to Dive the deck caused two starboard. Comments, 189 shares invoice No frustrated when a requisition for 150 rolls of toilet paper the of! The top of the usual crates of fresh fruit and ice cream testing of a truck was inspired by real. Display on the Base at the Washington Navy Yard, but it has been painted in Navy problem, backfiring! Thirteen actors attempts to reach Silversides to exchange information Fulton, Balao got underway on 25 February 1964 ship! Enemy contacts and was enjoyed greatly was on display on the Washington Navy Yard, does. Is damaged at the time and was unable to launch a single.. Third party, and then rescued three survivors in the process Holden command of a new nuclear-powered submarine, named. That surface contacts were fishing craft and floating mines, two soldiers of the USS Sea,. To Sea after a very successful attack officer, Navy Yard, there is a problem, constantly and!
Adams County Section 8 Houses For Rent, John Mccord Bmx Rider Brother, Articles W