From coast to coast like butter and toast the US Navy and its Dolphins have been protecting America since the very first US Navy submarine. Our line of US Navy Submarine Swag was designed to honor the men and women of the United States Submarine Force also known as the Silent Service.
Point Loma, Kings Bay Georgia, Pearl Harbor, Bremerton and more port the US Navy submarines from the attack submarines (SSN) to the Boomers with their D5 trident nuclear weapons (SSBN) to the guided missile boats carrying US Navy SEALS (SSGN). These homes house Dolphins, the US Navy Sailors whom have taken on the incredible role of US Navy Submariners, a true class of Sailor very few will understand or know.
USS San Francisco Tour
Years ago the COB aboard the USS San Francisco invited the art team of Navy Crow to take a tour of the boat. What an eye opening experience. From the lobster mac and cheese being served in the boat’s galley to the berthing quarters where Sailors would hot rack to the water plant and A-Gang areas with their miniscule walking areas. All machinery and very little room for a Sailor to even work there.
Sleeping on torpedoes, and yes those torpedoes were much larger than I ever imagined, to the winches, dank, dark and cold world they sleep in. Not to mention the berthing area in the forward torpedo room was barely large enough for a Willy Wonka Oompa Loompa to sleep in. One thing is for certain the boat was so clean you could eat off the floor. We spent a few minutes in the navigation area and saw the Christmas lights of control, switches, gauges and more that was the central nervous system of the boat. What an amazing sight. By far we came to understand very quickly how very special a Sailor one would need to be to be a part of the US Navy submarine community. Another reason why we felt the need and desire to desire to design US Navy Submarine Swag for them.
Ladders and More Ladders
Ever see someone slide down a latter barely attached to it traveling at Mach speed? Well in a US Navy submarine the Dolphins do it and they do it with style. I have never witnessed someone navigating a ladder and moving through a boat’s crew heading down 4 decks in world class time. Well they do it and yes we saw it happen. Still amazed by it years later.
Then Came the Canadian Submarine
The Canadian Navy have submarines eh? Yes they do and after having visited the USS San Francisco we got an opportunity to visit the Canadian Navy Boat which was right next to the San Francisco and then things got very interesting. To top it off the first compartment we experienced belonged to their Navy Corpsman. No idea what they called him or her that day on the ship but from the size of the bowl filled with unused condoms figured they had high hopes for experiencing a target rich environment in the greater San Diego area. Welcome to the Gas Lamp District!
We appreciated their motivation. Then came what could only be called the most Canadian naval experience, Molson beer in 6 packs in the gangways. Ok we know Sailors like to drink. Goes without saying but the Canadians practically had it on tap in the boat. That about finished off the tour and having seen the US Navy Submarine and the Canadian one we got a very good glimpse into 2 world separated by entirely different submarines and crews. Now that we have gone from one extreme to another it can be said we had a mission, a downright calling to design for the US Navy Submarine community, from their wardrooms to the Goat Locker, and all the Dolphins so aptly called. The US Navy Submarine Swag we have created for all of them we hope you will enjoy as much as we did creating it.
