Torpedo Recovery by
U.S.S.  Becuna (SS-319)
Somewhere In The Atlantic Ocean (circa 1968)
With many thanks to
Contributor: Steve Hope, IC3(SS)

At the time of these pictures, Steve thought it a shame
that torpedomen couldn't swim, and that it took
an IC Man to swim out and get their bathtub toy...
(his words)

Becuna slowly approaches the MK-14 exercise shot.  The crew is on deck making ready for retrieval while the swimmer (who is Steve Hope) is holding the hook line awaiting orders from the Bridge to "Go get it."

Steve is up next to the fish ready to hook up the haul line to the eyelet on the torpedo's nose.

Steve guides the fish to the side of the boat.

With the fish alongside the boat, Steve rigs a sling in preparation to lifting it out of the Big Pond.

Steve's part is finished.  With the fish in it's sling and floating alongside the boat, his bath is over now, and he has to climb back onboard again.

The fish being lifted out of the water.

Swinging the fish around for positioning on the Forward torpedo Room loading skid.

The fish on the skid being lowered into the torpedo Room