Nice job Tom and Leslie. You have done a great deal of work and it really shows. Thank you for doing this restoration.

BRAVO/ZULU to Tom and Lesley. for your efforts to restore the DRUM. As a retired US NAVY Chief Hull Tech. I am amased at the work you have done. What you have accomplished is MAJOR SHIPYARD work. I was at the reunion in 2009. I saw then what you accomplished and was very impressed. I know from experience what equiptment is needed to do the work you do. You have done it WITHOUT that equiptment. AMAZING,JUST AMAZING. I have now taken over the DRUM CREW reunions and will see you two next june. I am the son of Phil Williamson (aka. WILLY). Again ,I can't express my thanks and gratitude enough for the work you do. B/Z FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS. ROBERT D. WILLIAMSON
HTC(SW) USN RET

I just wanted to follow up on message 47.I was tranfer 67 to the USS Bushnell (AS 15) Submarine squadron 12, Key West. Did a lot of diving and rigging on the old diesel boats,Was in Key West 67/72.Also served in the USS Penguin (ASR 12) and USS Tringa (ASR 16)Those were the good old days. Garland Summerall,ENCRET)(DV)

I have the wash basin from the CPO guarters of the USS Drum.How I came about it is this:I was station at Deep Sea Divers School,in the YDT 5, Navy Yard Washington DC from 64/67. The Drum was use for reserve training.I understand thay made the Chief quaters into office space.A shipmate of mine (a submariner)also at DSDS Said thay were thowing the basin away and thought I could use it on the YDT. I gave to my father in law(ww2 Navy). Thought he could use it in his moutain cabin.I retired in 78.Move to Chambersburg.A few years ago I got to thinking about that basin.My father in law had pass away I ask my brothers in law and thay didn't know.So I forgot about it.On 6/20 I was at one of my brothers in law and saw the basin he did not know what it was. Thougt it was a bowl. He gave it to me.On the back it says Drum 228 CPO I would be glad to return it to The Drum? Garland Summerall (ENCRET)(DV)

leslie and tom, can't wait to see you and the boat, be there thurs afternoon

Hello,My wife and i were at the park on our anniversery trip along the coast may 28. We enjoyed both ships very much. My dad was on a ship almost like the uss alabama. We then made our way through the the plane hanger then on to the sub, which we enjoyed. We were amazed just how small the area's were. Great job restoring the inside by the way! Im sure the outside will look just as good as the inside as well. We met TOM on the way out, he's so nice and giving of infomation. even told us the next time we were down, he would give us a guided tour! " tom & leslie great job! both are special people to do jobs like these.

My son, daughter, and I visited the drum on 4/9/2010. I just want to say what a great time we had on her.... Awesome job in restoring this great ship.

Last Monday morning, 3/22/10, I spent a good deal of time aboard the USS Drum, taking many pictures. I think I might have seen Tom as I was looking around the galley. I visited your web site this morning, and noticed on the "restoration" page that the "head" had been refurbished. I don't remember seeing the head & I'm guessing it is in the room with the tiny washing machine? How many total heads (commodes) were originally on the Drum?, and where were they located? I'm assuming the officers had a separate commode area as that was the case @ land navy stations I served at 1968-72. Thanks in advance for any info. P.S. My wife insists that had to be more than two for 72 men.

I found my way to this website while researching some of my families military history. I do beleive my Uncle, Paul Garlak served on the drum during the Second World War. His Notice of Separation from US naval Sevice lists her in the "vessel and station" block of the form. Not sure which patrols he would have been a member on as the notice of separations does not list dates and years of service for the vessels and stations. I like the site and plan to visit next time I am in the Mobile area.

Job well done. I'm impressed.

After reading about the Drum, which my Dad served on during the war in the Pacific, I have learned so much about what a hardship he went through and how proud I am of him.

Please let me know of any further activities/developments regarding the Drum's history and info on the movie.

Thanks for sharing this touching and memorable information.

I brought my 8 year old grandson Logan to the park today for his first tour of the battleship and the Drum. We had a wonderful day exploring and absorbing the history. It was such a delight to watch him have his eyes opened in great wonderment to this portion of our history. We spent a lot of time on the Drum... Thanks Tom Bowser for taking time to show us about the sub and answer our questions! Wonderful day!

Tom,
Thank you so much for showing me and my girlfriend around the Drum, I was the guy that took several pictures of the Sub on Sunday 12/27/2009. You mentioned that you needed help and donations for repairs.
I was sadened to fond out that very few people are helping. I hope that my pictures will help get the word out that one of our Hero's is in need of help.

Thank you for everything you do in restoring the drum.

My dad, Robert G. Lindsay, Jr, served on the Drum as a radio man.
I was fortunate enough to tour her on the anniversary of his death.
The chief unlocked the radio room and let me spend some time there.

My dad shared many stories with me-- he was at Pearl Harbor during the attack, waiting to be assigned to a sub.

He served on a number of subs, but the Drum was always his favorite.

Thanks for all who care for her now!

Thanks for the great site.
I especially love reading the war patrols. Truth is always better than fiction.
Thanks to all who served on her.

Bob...

Hi, I'm Wills grandson and I Love the fact that you put up this website and are restoring the Drum, Keep up the good work!

Website looks great! You're doing a good work for the old Drum. My Granddad was a plankowner on Drum and made 7 war patrols. I too am a submariner, USS Spadefish SSN-668, an A-Ganger like Pops was. Looking forward to attending another reunion.

Looking great, Tom and Lesley! Can't wait to see her up close again next June! Keep up the great work!

Jerry Watson, Drum Crew dependent

I joined the Navy Reserve on the USS Drum in Nov 1958. Qualified in subs on the USS Redfin 272 and retired in 1980 as a Chief Engineman.

Drum was a great boat.

Chuck

My Uncle Tom is helping to fix up this National Treasure. It is wonderful to see all the hard work everyone is doing, even when we are all the way out here in California. Keep up the great work. You are doing everyone proud.

I served on the Drum and this is the greatest. I have enjoyed every bit of this website. Tom and Leslie are doing a fantastic job with the restoration. I served with the best men and they deserve to be recognized. Job well done.
Skinny ghinny See you in June

Just got back from our trip touring the Drum. We felt so honored with the unbelievable tour Tom and Leslie gave us. We learned so much about the boat that my Dad served on for 9 missions. To be able to see, touch and hear about the same instruments that my dad worked on meant so much to me. To see the care, time, dedication and love that goes into the restoration of the Drum is indescribable. Thanks for all you do Tom and Leslie! Looking forward to seeing the 'SeaViper' when it comes out.

Gail Mast, daughter of Gilbert 'Gil' Leach, Drum Crew Member

I didn't know the Drum had deteriorated so much over the years. But its good to know there are people willing to restore this old WW2 subs for future generations.

Best of luck!

Good to see she gets alot of good care,i used to visit this site alot about a year ago but lost track,to see her in her current state is fantastic!Maybe someday i will pay a visit,who knows.

Aboard USS Rock SSR274 (1957/1959
Great site you have.
You might want to check out e-bay, they list USS Drum Clock under WW2 Submarine Collectables