USS William H. Bates (SSN 680)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) maneuvers to the pier in the harbor at Diego Garcia on its second visit after the mission in the Indian Ocean - 1983
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) and anxious crew await the arrival of the Avalon (DSRV 2) for fitting up and sea qualification sporting a custom, if not carefully applied, paint scheme, in the gray and cold of a foggy San Diego morning. - 1983
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) sits quietly next to the pier in Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T., enjoying the warm salt breeze of an Indian Ocean dusk - 1983
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) as close to the pier as it could get in La Spezia, Italy - 1976 (Neal Degner)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) kites a cluster of sailboats dancing across the wake, inbound to San Diego harbor - 1983
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) balances delicately in a floating drydock in Guam, awaiting hull-cleaning and routine maintenance, among other things -1983
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) tied up at the pier in Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T., entertaining curious aviators willing to trade rides in P3 Orions for a tour of the boat - 1983
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680), back from a trip across the pond, ties up for liberty in Nova Scotia - 1974 (Neal Degner)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) tied to the USS Tuscaloosa (LST 1187), anchored out in the harbor at Sasebo, Japan - 1982
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680)
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) tied up on the north pier at SUBASE San Diego (just past the flagpole), with an unknown Permit class boat outboard. British boat HMS Courageous (S-50/SSN06) is tied up just south of the Bates, with at least four or five other boats - one on the Sperry (AS 12), one on the Dixon (AS 37), one on the middle pier with the McKee (AS 41), and one on the south pier. The floating drydock San Onofre (ARD 30) is at the end of the middle pier. Note especially the Trieste II, the deep submergence research submersible in white and orange at the base of the south pier - 1982
Good Times
Carl Pate was the breakout cook who burnt water! Strong as an ox!The Billy B was my first boat and I have to admit the best since the crew was beyond awesome! I served with great men in A Division and learned much! Five years on the Billy B and I am proud of every year!
I want to catch up with as many people as I can! I have found only Tom O'Donnell.
I still have the Power and Light Company patch!
Too many things to put on here and yet I remember the great times we had as a crew, the Med run was great and as I tell many people after 20 years of serving on or working on a submarine.
What I miss are the friends I made and the places I went to see!
What I do not miss is going to sea or patrol on the many boats yet the Billy B stands out because we went to sea all the time it seemed actually! Especially with Commander Houley (Can not remember how to spell his name) the second commanding officer of the USS William H. Bates (SSN-680).
I still have my first pin put away safe!
I hope to hear from my friends who served on-board what we were told many times was the best submarine on the east coast and then not longer after that we were sent to the west coast! Go figure!
Well until I write again!
Dawg Years
Dawg is calling all SSN-680 shipmates who helped make my 3+ years on the Bouncing Billy awesome and unforgettable.I miss EACH & EVERY ONE of you!
Thanks for your service and your friendship!
Crew Member
Hi there,I was stationed on the Bates in Pearl Harbor from 1994 to 1996 as the Bull Nuke.
Tough duty...
Our Doc
It is great to see Doc Whitesel on here at last. He took care of us all. Welcome Doc!Bubbles?
Does anyone know what happened/or where "Bubbles" (Benny Dinnell) is? He was a cook 80-84. OllieCooks on the Bates
John, That cook's name was probably named Talley. His cooking was mediocre at best. The other one at that time was Carl Pate. He was a terrible cook! Those were good times. The crew was awesome.SPECOP Rider
Excellent site! The Bates was my first SPECOPS mission in NOV74-JAN75. The Crew was excellent! The chow (all us Rider's loved to eat) was great except for one meal when the Cook (I don't remember his name but he was a PO2) that cooked El Rancho Liver I believe. It was terrible and everyone on the Boat let him know.2009 Reunion
Folks; It was great seeing all of you, even if I didn't serve with most of you (and the rest of you had a hard time remembering). It was a great time and I look forward to the next "Regroupex". Take care all ... Michael WickstromSubmarines Once Submarines Twice...Holy Jumping...
Brad, The Lord Blesses You! You may not remember me, however I do remember you. I was a QM on the Bates for 1 year.I have very great memories of you and your crew. I remember that you displayed the kindness of the Lord.
This web page is very nice.
I still have a few pictures, one of which was the Hump Day middle of the deployment when we all dressed up for a surf & turf dinner!!
Last year I did see a profile for CMDR Bienhoff at navylog.org. (from the lone sailor at navymemorial.org) I would like to tell him thank you someday.
I trust that you are well and still walking by faith in Jesus Christ.
Best Regards,
Steve Perry
Romans 8:28
Great Site!
I have spent 18 years trying to forget everything possible about my Navy experience and this site has ruined all my hard work. I am actually enjoying the memories this site has brought back. Thanks for the great site.