Sea trials is the fruit of your labor.  These past few days have seen feverish replenishment and repair.  Now it's time to see what the old girl can do.  A three or four day "mini-patrol" is just the trick.  Some boats would use this time for Midshipmen cruises, Tiger (dependents) cruises and other tasks.  A last minute lengthy check of all masts and antennas to ensure that things raise and lower, etc.  A pilot is assigned to lead us out to sea and all that is needed now is the order to drop all lines and turn that prop! 

A tug boat stands by to pull us clear of the tender or pier if needed.  As this is the 1980's, female sailors onboard ship are still a novelty.  The only ships that they can at this time serve on, are non-combatants.  So it's no surprise that the tug's crew is all girl.  It's also no surprise that they will be the object of attention for Pulaski's single crewmen!

Lines dropped, tender informed of our departure, we turn the reactor on and make ready to get to sea.  All is in place and our orders are onboard.  All that awaits now is the final signal to get underway.

Once at sea we are joined by a dolphin or two.  Don't be fooled; they are there for the food!  Our wake kicks up fish which they feed on.  They will jump over us and race us, fighting for the best feeding position.  They are too quick for the camera.  Very few good shots are to be had.  Flipper's not very cooperative.

The racket made by the dolphins is always a welcome sound and there are speakers in sonar and in control to allow one to hear the noise.  The chattering and clicking noises are a change from the machinery sounds.

The acrobatics can be quite amazing and there is no shortage of cameras being passed topside for the lookouts to use in an attempt to capture the fun.  The pictures do not do justice to how fast all of this activity is taking place.  The boats main ballast tank vents are clearly visible in this view.

Sea trials is also a good time for local surface units to try out their ASW skills.  We get the added benefit of having a guarantee that there's nothing "foreign" in our diving area and they get to "shoot" at us all they want.  USS Paul attempted to find us and failed miserably.  We eventually extended our scope all the way out of the water and got in front of her.  Hopefully our Soviet counterparts are just as capable, eh?

A Lockheed S-3A Viking from USS Enterprise joined in the fun as well.  A jet propelled anti-submarine aircraft, the ten embarked on Enterprise were tasked with hunting us using their MAD boom and sono-buoys.  They had slightly better luck.  Here's a shot of one of them from scope number one.

While out at sea we were tasked with a burial at sea.  A dearly departed sailor had requested burial at sea and his widow contacted the Navy.  The next available ship happened to be us.

A chaplain embarked with us to read the service.  A selection of the crew mustered topside for the burial.  The captain then turns the ceremony over to the executive officer who will do the burying.

The corpsmen presents the remains (ashes) to the executive officer.  Another crewmember stands by with a flag that will be flown from the submarine and then presented to the widow.

The executive officer, LCDR Richard Relue, then takes the ashes from HM2 Jason Budde and prepares to scatter them while the chaplain reads selected verses plus follows the specifics of a Naval burial.

The flag is then flown at half mast and the rifle squad prepares to fire a salute.  The proceedings are being filmed for presentation to the widow.  The widow will receive the video, a map of where her loved one's ashes were scattered, three empty bullet casings and the flag.

Present arms is ordered as the executive officer commences the spreading of the ashes.  FTG2 Randy Davis and TM3 Larry Hudson prepare their M-14's for the twenty one gun salute.

The executive officer scatters the ashes as the chaplain delivers the eulogy.  The bell is rung and the flag lowered to half mast if it's not already there.  The captain reads a brief history of the sailor.

The first of twenty one shots is fired.  At this point, as the deck of a submarine is round, the command master chief, ETCM Dennis Lapierre or someone equally appointed is running to grab the cases before they roll overboard!

At this point a tape of "Taps" is played unless you are fortunate to have an actual trumpet playing crew member onboard.  At this point, there are usually no dry eyes.  While I was onboard the Pulaski we only did this one burial at sea.  The widow also received (as part of the memorial) all of these photos blown up to 8X10 size and she also received a photograph of the boat signed by the captain and executive officer.

The crewman is standing in front of the AMR1 UL access hatch.  The wire dangling over the side is part of our towed radio receiving equipment.  Our solemn, respectful duty finished, we spend another day on sea trials and then join some dolphins as they race us back to port.

Sea trials are never more than a week long, but the ocean is huge and even though we are only miles from home, it seems like an eternity when viewed against the horizon.  A lack of seagulls and other forms of life only magnifies that feeling.

Sea trials are also a great opportunity for...SWIM CALL!  The boat surfaces and comes to a complete stop.  While the cooks prepare a topside (or below decks, depending on the weather) barbeque, those desiring to, can swim.  Here, the crew leaves shoes and shirts on the deck. (Photo courtesy of Woodley Frampton)

Diving is not a problem as it's the ocean - not much chance of hitting your head on a submerged rock.  Some captains allow diving from the fairwater planes.  Others just use the side of the boat.  (Photo courtesy of Woodley Frampton)

And no swim call would be complete without the presence of the trusty shark watch.  This lonesome gunman prowls the deck with his trusty M-14, waiting for the appearance of anything that might endanger the swimmers.  Remember, our screw (propellor) kicks up and kills loads of fish and other marine life which is what the dolphins who follow us, eat.  So there's loads of food in the water to attract a large predator.  I can't recall us ever having to fire in anger at a fellow shark.  (Photo courtesy of Woodley Frampton)

Here's another swim call photograph from the 1970's.  The moral boosting value of such activities is not overlooked by the Chief Of The Boat and the command's officers.  Topside barbeques are sometimes also a feature of swim call (photo courtesy of Jim Wynkoop).

Sea trials completed, the Casimir Pulaski returns to port for more patrol preparations and to reunite with wives and loved ones for some time in the local hotel prior to leaving for good. 

Tugs pull us in to the pier where lines will be slung across to make us steady.  Once alongside, shore power is connected and then the reactor is turned off. 

Notice that the most important antenna of all - the TV antenna - has already been rigged out.  Missiles shmissles...there's TV to watch! 

Marines off in the distance sit in their launch to make sure that no one interferes with the evolution.  Security is paramount and nothing goes on that the base Marines are not aware of.

Later that afternoon, our escort slinks in.  This time, USS Key West.  She'll tie up for some well deserved R&R as well and then go on her way to other adventures.