It was a time for the boat to have a general upkeep and some well deserved
liberty.

This is a No Sh***er about two of the crew and their quest for a memorable
time ashore.  The two were a First Class Cook named George Councilman and a
Second or Third Class Quartermaster by the Name of Spike Frowler.  The reason
for some doubt about Spikes rank was that Spike went up and down the ranks
frequently.

Both sailor were exceptional at there jobs while they were at sea but had
their problem when it came to liberties.  Spike especially had a problem
knowing when it was time to return to the boat.

This particular liberty was no exception.  George was a day late in returning
to the boat and Spike was about three or four days in returning.  Needless to
say that the next step in being that late in returning was a Captain Mast.
I was a TM3 (SS) in the forward torpedo room which as you know is just
forward of the forward battery and "Officers Country" The Officers Wardroom
is just through the hatch from the forward torpedo room and if the watertight
door is open or ajar the happenings in the wardroom can be heard if you
listen hard enough.  The Captains Mast was being held in the wardroom and the
watertight door had been left ajar.  This is what was heard in the forward
torpedo room from the wardroom.

The first to attend the Captains Mast was George Councialman.  First was the
opening of the mast. ( Yata Yata Yata)

Captain:   Councilman, what do you have to say for yourself in defense of you
returning to the boat late.

Councialman: Well Captain, Frowler and I went ashore on Friday with
intentions of taking pictures to send home to our families. (Neither George
or Spike were married.) After stopping at the EM Club to get some film we
decided to go to Tokyo for some picture taking there.  The next train to
Tokyo didn't leave for two hours so we decided to stop by the White Hat Bar
and the Starlight Bar for a couple of drinks and wait for the train.  As I
remember it Captain, we missed the first train so we had a few more drinks
while waiting for the next train.  Finally we did catch the train to Tokyo
and I think it was the same day.  I don't really remember getting to Tokyo
but I'm sure we didn't because Spike said we didn't.

The next thing I remember was coming back through the main gate in a cab and
trying to get back aboard ship on time.  I guess I must have been a little
late.  I really don't have much else to add except that it won't happen again
Captain.

Captain:   I'm going to take into account that you have had a clean record
for over a year now and only give you a two weeks restriction.  (Next Case)

It was Spike's turn.

The next to attend the Captains Mast was Spike Frowler.  
Again, the opening of the mast. ( Yata Yata Yata)

Captain:   Frowler, what do you have to say in defense of you returning to
the boat late.

Frowler:  Well, its was like this Captain!  As you know, I a very devout
family man.  I felt it was my duty to get some pictures of the foreign
countries that I visit so Councilman and I decided to go to Tokyo to get
pictures for our families. (Keep in mind neither are married)  We went ashore
on Friday afternoon and stopped at the EM club to get film and train tickets
to Tokyo.  Not wanting to slight our shipmates that were at the White Hat Bar
and Starlight bar we stopped in to have a quick drink with them.  I was
careful not to drink a lot so that we wouldn't miss our train.  Unfortunately
Councilman started to drink probably more than he should and caused us to
miss the first train.  I figured if I could just get him away from the bars
and get us to Tokyo we could take the pictures for our families and maybe
visit some temples while we were there.  By the time that we were on the
train Councilman was getting pretty drunk so I took him to the head to try to
sober him up.  

It was at this point that two men in black suits with dark
glasses approached us and wanted to know if they could help.  I declined and
thanked them for the offer.  After we returned to our seats back in our car
the same two men came and sat next to us.  They said that they noticed that
we were wearing dolphins and wondered if we were stationed aboard a
submarine.  I told them yes we were and that we were on our way to Tokyo to
take pictures for our family and to visit some temples.  They said that they
were civilians that worked at the sub base in Yokosuka and would be happy to
show us around in Tokyo.  They mentioned that they had spent a great deal of
time there and knew the city quiet well.  By this time George had passed out
from drinking too much and probably doesn't remember any of this.  I
remembered that we shouldn't talk to anyone regarding our submarine duties so
when they started asking questions about the submarine that we were on I
became suspicious and told them they should leave.  That's when they pulled a
gun on us and told me to get my friend ready to get off at the next stop.  
George was still asleep so one of them held a gun on me and the other one got
George to his feet and we got off at gun point.  I wasn't sure where we were.

We were met by two other men that were also in black suits and dark glasses.
They put us into a big black car and blindfolded us.  They drove for about
thirty minutes and stopped.  They got us out of the car and took us inside of
a house.  They took the blindfolds off of us and started asking us questions
about our boats operations.  Of course we said nothing and gave them no
information at all.  They decided to split us up.  I noticed that they gave
George something more to drink.  I'm sure they were trying to loosen him up
to get him to talk.  About this time they brought in a girl.  She was very
good looking and she said that they were holding her captive also.  They left
us alone in the room and there were no windows and the door had been locked.  
She said that she was scared that they were going to kill us if we didn't
tell them what they wanted to know.  She wondered what it was that they
wanted to know from me?  I knew that she was probably just a plant so I
didn't tell her anything either.  Of course she tried to seduce me but being
the good family man that I am I resisted her advances.

This went on for what seemed like two days.  They keep George drunk so I'm
sure that he didn't remember any of this.  On the second day I think it was
during a head break that they allowed, I was inadvertently put in the head at
the same time that George was there.  There was a window in the head so we
got it open and I got George out of the window. As I was about to climb out
they wanted to know what was going on in there.  In order to give George time
to make his escape I talked to them through the door.  After a short time
they got the door open and removed me back to my room.  Needless to Say that
they were upset because George escaped.  Two of the four men left to look for
George.  The remaining two men stayed with me and continued to pump me for
information.  Of course Captain, I told them nothing.

By the next day the supply of food that the men had was gone.  One of them
left to get supplies and that's when I made my move.  I overpowered him in a
massive struggle, tied him up and escaped.  I managed to get to the train
station to get back here to the boat.  Of course the men who held us captive
had taken our money so I had no money to buy a train ticket back to Yokosuka.

I knew that I needed to get back to the boat because I was late.  So, I
borrowed some money from the Train Master to buy a ticket back here to
Yokosuka.  

After all that I went through to avoid telling any military secrets and
escaping from my captors I felt it was my duty to do whatever was necessary
to get back to the boat as soon as possible.  

After all, the Train Master was gracious enough to lend me the money to buy
the train ticket to get back. And I'm sure that you can appreciate the
predicament that I was in.  So I was wondering Captain, if when this
Captain's Mast is over if you would give Special Liberty so I could go pay
the Train Master back the money that he lent me to get back to the boat.
That's about all I have to say Captain.  

Captain:   Frowler, that's the best story and the biggest pile of Bulls**T
that I have ever heard and I think it deserves all the consideration that I
can give.  Two weeks restriction!

I have to agree with the Captain, that was the biggest pile of Bulls**t and
also one of the best Sea Stories that I ever heard.

Wally Gage Ex TMC (SS)
USS Volador SS490
56-59