Escape By Submarine

May 1, 1942 brought certainty that Japanese forces were capturing the Philippines. On the 3rd, 11 Army nurses, 1 Navy nurse, a Navy wife, 6 Army Colonels, along with 6 Navy officers were loaded into a boat and left Corregidor about 6 p.m., heading out into Manila Bay, wondering why we had been selected for evacuating aboard a submarine. Soon, the Bay was bright with moonlight, shell fire and bombs. Suddenly, a big dark object rose out of the water in front of us.

They hurried us aboard the submarine Spearfish. The hatch was such a small opening that I didn't think I could do it, even though my weight by that time was only 70 pounds, after the starving and diarrhea over the past five months on Bataan and Corregidor. Others made it, so I did too! Safely below in the mess hall, we couldn't believe our eyes. They had a single layer chocolate cake ready to serve us. It was so delicious! Of all the people I have ever known, those submariners were absolute tops and as each day went by, I knew they couldn't be beat.

Almost immediately after our boarding, we submerged and traveled thusly for 22 hours. A crewman told me that while all our gang was coming on board, he was wondering where they would find a place for all of us to sleep. When he saw me, he thought, well, she can sleep with her father, as he presumed I was the daughter of one of the men coming aboard, because I was so skinny. We hadn't had the comfort of makeup for months and my hair was up in braids.

Our group increased the submarine's compliment by almost 50%. There was no extra space, other than the crew . . . and very little for them in the first place. That first 22 hours seemed like it would never end. They warned us not to talk or move about, but they didn't have to do that — we couldn't! Because of so many people on board, the oxygen supply was insufficient and we struggled, just to breathe. Many passed out from the lack of oxygen and I am sure the starvation contributed to that. They pumped more oxygen into the system and spread lime about to help cleanse the air. During this time, with no one moving around, there was no need to worry where we would sleep, but as soon as this was over, in the area where the bunks were, sheets were draped around 4 bunks. The "hot bunk" system was used; where the bunks and same linens are used constantly, changing shifts every 8 hours. I was on the 3rd shift and because I thought I would be the 13th sleeper, I slept on the deck. It was so hot, because it was directly over the engine room. (Probably meant over the batteries.)

When I finally awoke, they told me Corregidor had surrendered May 6, 1942. Everyone was so quiet. It was so depressing.

The submariners were so good to us. They gave us some of their clothing, such as cut-off dungarees and T-shirts, as we had already lost everything we owned. My only possession was a small suitcase containing the white nurses' uniform that we wore, before they changed us to khaki, while serving on Bataan.

There were three heads in the sub and we were assigned to use one. The instructions to flush it was about half a page long and so complicated that they quickly decided to have one of the submariners do it for us after a couple of disasters. It was so embarrassing! The Philippine Mess boy stationed nearby volunteered to come to our assistance.

Spearfish was supposed to surface for 4 hours every 24 hours to recharge batteries. I think it was the first time we surfaced, and before our 4 hours were up, we came in contact with the Japanese again and had to crash-dive. They sounded the alarm that sounded like a Model T Ford car horn, and we went almost straight down. This happened several times during our 3000 mile trip. They had a small square hand-cranked victrola and a few records. Whenever we crash-dived, everyone would grab the victrola and records to keep them from breaking, as we plunged almost straight down. That was our only entertainment, other than talking and singing and we didn't want to lose them.

We didn't dare get rid of all the garbage as we were going under some of the Japanese Navy, so it was stacked around in bags. One was in the radio room and I would lay on it with my legs up the side of the bulkhead and sleep, for the lack of a better place —for the first several days I was so tired.

The only time that we got to look out was when we passed Bali. There was a very popular song about it at the time. LtCdr. J.C. Dempsey, CO of the Spearfish let us look through the periscope for a few seconds. All we saw was a dark blob on the horizon, but I saw it! We never saw daylight, for we only surfaced at night.

The submarine was long and narrow and when we surfaced to recharge batteries, it seemed like it would roll completely over. Nearly everyone got seasick at one time or another, including the crew. I was fortunate that it didn't bother me. Nancy Gillihan was sick the whole way. About the time she would stop vomiting, we would surface again!

Of course, the food was so much better and more of it than we had been having, and it was twice a day, we thoroughly enjoyed it. I must admit the first time we had navy beans for breakfast, it was a shock for me, as I had never heard of it before, but they were so good, and now I knew why they are called Navy beans! At times some of us would try to help out the cook. There was little else we could do to break the monotony, or do to help in any way. I like to think we helped morale in spite of the overcrowded conditions.

The highlight of the whole trip was the traditional sea ceremonial of the Ancient Order of the Deep, when you cross the equator. There are so many 'pollywogs' aboard to ignore it. The crew were very ingenious in fixing funny and remarkable costumes for the Royal Court: King Neptune, Davy Jones, the Royal Baby, among others that have slipped my mind. The fun and mystery during the preparations, plus the forewarnings we got of the awful things to come made the hot, monotonous trip more intriguing.

Finally, we arrived at zero latitude and I don't know how deep under the water in Macassar Straight we were, when each of us were issued a summons to court. We were blindfolded and barefoot and standing in a shallow pan of water while the charges against us were read. Mine were as follows:

1) Working on the sympathies of the crew and thereby talking them out of their clothes, seats, food, and even in some cases, their hearts!

2) Being a cowgirl from Texas.

3) Always pouting.

4) Being hot tempered.

5) Telling tall tales about Texas.

6) Beating new-born infants around while a nurse in training.

7) Having been fortunate enough to get away from Texas, desiring to go back.

8) Asking if there was a beauty parlor on board.

9) Making insulting remarks concerning the persons of the Royal Shellbacks.

THEREFORE, appear and obey or suffer the penalty. This displeased the King and he sent an electric shock through the water and you can imagine the jumping and hollering that took place, which tickled the "Court". Several other things were done which have escaped my memory. Once your initiation was over, you could watch the others. Then we became "Shellbacks". The whole affair provided discussion for days and helped break the tension as well, It made us more a typical, one big happy family, who had just, and were still, going through some of the most horrible experiences the human body and mind can go through and come out alive, still fairly well balanced mentally and physically. Usually, in every group, there is at least one that is grouchy or 'touchy' in some fashion, but I have absolutely no memory of any such person aboard the Spearfish.

Near the end of the journey, when it was determined that we would have plenty of water, they gave each shift a half bucket of water, so we could bathe and wash our underwear. It was so refreshing and made the extremely rough waters of the Indian Ocean a little more bearable.

I do not know how to adequately express my gratitude to the submariners for all they did for us and making such an impossible trip so tolerable and enjoyable for us most of the time. Had it not been for that seventeen days of good food and relaxation, comraderie and kind consideration, I do not know if I could have survived the busy times ahead in the States. I never noticed any bad odors aboard, probably because of having had such bad dust and odors in Manila Tunnel. Of course we knew of the danger we were going through daily, but at least it did not have the horrors of working twenty four to forty eight hours continuously, trying to sew bodies back together and wondering just how long they would live amid the constant bombing and shelling. A submariner not only has to perform his job perfectly, but must be able to get along with other people in extremely close quarters without very much else to do but work and sleep in unpleasant surroundings. They are the world's best to me!

On 20 May 1942, we arrived in Freemantle, Australia. I think this poem (written by Phil Petit CMOMM sums up the whole experience better than I have.

What Women Can Do To A Submarine Crew

Beyond a doubt you will surely note If you walk about, a change in the boat.

Swede started drinking coffee, Beast started drinking tea, Push-Over keeps buffins as pretty as can be, Scanlan's smoking cigarettes Pettit's washing clothes, And even our dear Yeoman Stopped picking his funny nose. Joey up and about, all the time off watch

Hanging 'round the mess hall, playing the music box.

I'm trying to say in all these verses We brought aboard a flock of pretty nurses

On that eventful day in May When we were out, Corregidor way!

Our side responded with this poem that I think was written by Helen Summers, with a little help from the rest of us girls:

And now, you'll hear our side of the story,

Since we can't take all of the glory. For Swede drinking tea

And the rest of the boys acting funny as can be, We want you to know, we're happy as can be,

Being part of the Navy, tho not permanently.

This boat of the deep, to us is salvation

If it wasn't for it, we'd be in concentration.

Out of the tunnel and into the night Like bats out of hell taking to flight.

Off of the rock and out of the Bay, Out to where a submarine lay!

Though submarine hatches were strange to us all

One by one — down we were hauled, Bedraggled and weary, but thankful to be

Headed again for the land of the free.

Only four bunks, the Captain shouted;

Something told me we'd be a bit overcrowded, And Hortense Mckay, our shift did assign,

Eight hours of sleep and for meals be on time!

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