• USS Barb (SS-220)
    The last two war patrols conducted by Barb (SS-220) are deserving of special mention. Under Commander E. B. Fluckey she commenced her 11th patrol 19 December 1944. The patrol was conducted in the Formosa Straits and East China Sea off the east coast of China, from Shanghai to Kam Kit. During this patrol, which lasted until 15 February 1945, Barb sank four Japanese merchant ships and numerous enemy small craft. On 22-23 January Barb, displaying the ultimate in skill and daring, penetrated Namkwan Harbor on the China coast and wrought havoc upon a convoy of some 30 enemy ships at anchor. Riding dangerously in shallow waters, Barb launched her torpedoes into the enemy group and then retired at high speed on the surface in a full hour's run through uncharted, heavily mined, and rock-obstructed waters. In recognition of this outstanding patrol, Commander Fluckey was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and Barb received the Presidential Unit Citation.
    Commander E. B. Fluckey
  • Hunley
    H.L. Hunley a small, hand-powered submarine, was privately built at Mobile, Alabama, in 1863, based on plans furnished by Horace Lawson Hunley, James R. McClintock and Baxter Watson. She began a series of attempts to attack United States Navy ships on blockade duty off Charleston. On 17 February 1864, these efforts were successful. H.L. Hunley approached the steam sloop of war USS Housatonic and detonated a spar torpedo against her side. The Federal ship sank rapidly, becoming the first warship to be lost to a submarine's attack.
    Hunley
  • Intelligent Whale
    Intelligent Whale was one of a number of submarines built during the Civil War. She was hand-propelled, and steered by horizontal and vertical rudders. Wooden doors on the bottom allowed a diver to exit with a mine. She was purchased by the U.S. Navy in 1869, and brought to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for testing. In September 1872, in her only official Navy test, Intelligent Whale flooded. The crew escaped, but the Navy's interest in her ceased. Intelligent Whale was an early experiment in a field now of great importance.
    Intelligent Whale
  • Plunger
    Submarine Plunger on a slipway circa the late 1890s, possibly while under construction at the Columbian Iron Works, Baltimore, Maryland. Plunger was built under an 1895 Navy contract with the Holland Torpedo Boat Company but was not accepted for Naval service. Note her triple propeller shafts. This halftone reproduction was published in the "Journal of the American Society of Naval Engineers", May 1938.
    Plunger
  • The Fenian Ram
    The Fenian Ram is the second experimental submarine built by Irish-born inventor and educator John P. Holland. It was financed by the Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish revolutionary movement in the United States that sought Ireland's independence from British rule. It carried a crew of three, and made frequent dives in New York Harbor. It led Holland to perfect four other experimental craft that eventually resulted in his Holland submarine of 1898, which was adopted by the U.S. Navy and commissioned as SS-1. Fenian Ram was placed in Paterson's West Side Park in 1928 as a monument to the inventor. In 1980, it was moved inside the Paterson Museum where today it serves as a reminder of the ingenuity of the "father of the modern submarine."
    The Fenian Ram
by Dr. Radut

May 2025 Meeting

Columbus Base held it monthly meeting on 6 May 2025, there were 21 members and two guests present.

Robert "Rob" Griffith ET2(SS) is now a member of Columbus Base. 

Mrs. Judith Lewis, a member of the Quilts of Valor, was introduced and explained the purpose
of the Quilts of Valor. She then presented Jim ‘Clutch’ Koogler a Quilt in recognition of his service to the Columbus Base and other veteran activities. 

NROTC awards were made on May 2, 2025, the "Award for Military Excellence" certificate was presented to Senior Cadet James Marcum, and the "John T. Leers Junior Cadet Achievement Award" certificate and medallion were presented to Junior Cadet Nicolas Wimbley. 

Photos and Minutes of this meeting are posted.

Holland Club Inductions / Submarine Birthday

Columbusbase held it's annual Holland Club Honors / Inductions and Submarine Service Birthday Dinner on Saturday April 5,2025 at VFW #4932, 2436 Walcutt Rd., Columbus Ohio. This event was well attended (57 Members and Guests) and a good time was had by all. Two member Johnnie Godwin and Mark Rose were inducted into the Holland Club (Honoring 50 years since they originally qualified in submarines). Photos  and Minutes from this event are posted in our Flickr album. 

BZ to Dave and Lindsay Hamel as the dinner planners who selected "Sweet Carrot Comfort Food Catering" and Tim Barker and Chris and Erin McDonough for providing appetizers.  

February 2025 Meeting

Columbus Base held it's monthly meeting on 1 February,2025, there were 27 members present.Two new members Jerry Lee (a former Member At Large) and Chris Longstreth joined the base. Photos and Minutes from this event are posted on the website.

A reminder that Gary Justice's Visitation (Newcomer Southwest Chapel,3393 Broadway, Grove City,Oh. 43124) is from 11:00 - 13:00 followed by a Funeral and graveside service at (Grove City Cemetery west, Grove City Road, Grove City, Oh. 43123) is this Thursday.

Shipmate Gary Justice departs on Eternal Patrol

With a heavy heart, and deep sense of shock and regret, I inform you that our Columbus Base shipmate Garry Dean Justice, 75, departed on Eternal Patrol. He was found at his residence on Tuesday morning January 28, 2025 during a police wellness check requested by the family when they were unable to contact him. From all indications, his death was the result of natural causes and occurred sometime between Thursday January 23, 2025 and Tuesday January 28, 2025 

Christmas and Awards Dinner (2024)

Columbus Base held its annual Christmas and Awards dinner at VFW Post 4931 in Hilliard Ohio on December 7th, 2023, which was well attended by approximately 45 members and guests. Base commander Tim barker presented Bravo Zulu (BZ) awards to James Steck and Walt Fleak and the 'Rick Larson' Shipmate-of-the-Year to Dick Moore.  The members responsible for the dinner planning did an outstanding job. The base collected a large assortment of toys and games for the Toys-for-Tots campaign. Photo of both the Logan Ohio Veterans Parade and the Christmas & Awards Dinner are posted in the Base's photo Album. Minutes are posted on the website.

October Meeting

Columbus Base held it's monthly meeting on October 5th. There were Fifteen members/guests and one prospective member Jerry Lee: MMC(SS) retired, qualified 1976 USS Pintado SSN-672, also served on USS Batfish SSN-681.  Photos and Meeting minutes are posted on this site. Next meeting will be held on 

  • Saturday, 2 November, 2024 
  • Worthington American Legion Hall
  • 700 Morning Street Worthington, Ohio 43085 
  • See Calendar for details