USS Drum crew back in Mobile this weekend

From the Battlefield Memorial Park in Mobile:

The former crewmen of the Submarine USS DRUM (SS-228) are back in Mobile for their annual reunion. This year marks the 40^th year the group has gathered at USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park.

The USS DRUM is named for a large sea-bass found off the North Atlantic Coast. The USS DRUM was launched in May of 1941 at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, New Hampshire and commissioned November 1, 1941. With a crew of 72 men, the DRUM conducted 13 war patrols and was awarded 12 battle stars for WWII service. The GATO class submarine is credited with sinking 15 ships, a total of 80,580 tons of enemy shipping, eighth highest of all US submarines in total Japanese tonnage sunk. The DRUM was decommissioned on February 16, 1946.

“It takes a special man to go down under the sea with the risk of not ever returning. These heroes, not only brought our sub through WWII but have been returning for 40 years to see their boat,” said Battleship Memorial Park Executive Director, Bill Tunnell.

Submarine DRUM was donated to the USS ALABAMA Battleship Commission in April of 1969. She was towed to Mobile arriving May 18, 1969. The boat’s sponsor is Mrs. Jolane Edwards, wife of Congressman Jack Edwards and was dedicated and opened to the public on July 4, 1969. The USS DRUM is the oldest American submarine on display in the world.

In 2001, the USS DRUM was closed to the public for several months while she was relocated to dry land and underwent extensive restoration. For 32 years the submarine rested on the sandy bottom of Mobile Bay, suffering significant damage to her hull, gangways, and moorings each time a hurricane visited the Mobile area. Today, the submarine is extremely visible from I-10 and gives visitors a very rare opportunity; to see the bottom of a submarine.

On Saturday, June 19^th, at 11:00 am, there will be a special memorial service held in the Aircraft Pavilion followed by an invitation only luncheon.