The submarine refit facility in the Holy Loch conducts refits on our Ballistic Missile submarines which operate in the Atlantic and provides support to deploying attack submarines.

As we entered the Loch, I assessed the weather which was zero wind and almost no current. Two tugs were standing by to assist in our mooring to the tender. The tugs requested permission to come alongside to make up their lines for our landing. I waved them off and advised them to stand by if required, but I intended to make the landing alongside the tender unassisted. The landing was a one bell landing, meaning that we coasted in along side the tender and I ordered a backing bell so that we stopped at the designated mooring location.

In short, it was a perfect landing, and after more than 60 days underway, I was very pleased with the results.

As I left the bridge, one of the tug pilots met me topside and complimented me on the landing. He then asked if this was my first visit to the Holy Loch, and I replied that I had been here in 1967 as a lieutenant. "Well Captain," the tug pilot said "The rules have changed since then, and submarines are not allowed to make unassisted landings alongside the tender. But I need to tell you that you made one the best landings I have seen in my 20 years as a tug pilot." I thanked him for the "heads up" and went on board the tender to pay my respects to the Commodore.

When I saw the Commodore, I apologized for breaking the rules regarding my unassisted landing, and he said "don't worry about it." He said they normally have someone from his staff ride a new submarine on its first visit, and they dropped the ball. He did compliment me on my landing, however. We didn't have any major repairs for the tender to accomplish and we agreed that five days alongside should be adequate for resupply and good meal or two ashore before we departed for Portsmouth.

I called home early that afternoon. Mary had just returned from her house-hunting trip to D.C. and she had lots of news. Our house in Charleston had sold very quickly and we had a firm contract with closing in mid June. Her trip to D.C. was productive and she had found a nice three bedroom house just outside the beltway in Annandale. Pictures were in the mail and would arrive when we got to Portsmouth if not before. She made a bid on the house and would like my OK as soon as possible. She needed to set up a move to D.C. The kids and dog were fine and anxious for me to get home. In the two months I was out of touch, Mary had accomplished a lot. What a woman! What a wife!

©2010 Hank McKinney