Charles Bowers Momsen

Charles Bowers Momsen
Vice-Admiral, United States Navy
June 21, 1896- May 25, 1967

United States Naval Academy Class of 1920

This web site is dedicated to my grandfather, Charles Bowers Momsen, who left the world a better place when he passed away in 1967. He dedicated his life and his imagination to the United States Navy and the submarine service. The rescue of 33 survivors from the USS Squalus in 1939, a boat that malfunctioned and sunk to the bottom of the ocean in over 200 feet of water, can be directly attributed to the pioneering work that he did in pursuit of safety for the men who served in the Silent Service. His legacy lives on today in safer deep sea diving procedures as well as in the inventions that he developed for the Navy's Submarine Force.

THE TERRIBLE HOURS, the most recent work of best-selling author Peter Maas, tells the tale of how the Squalus survivors were brought back to the surface of the sea against incredible odds and the salvage of the USS Squalus. It is also the story of my grandfather and the events that inspired him to give his all - against incredible odds of a far different kind - to the Navy that he loved.

With this website, I hope to share with the world my memories of the man I called 'Grandie.' I have heard from many who served with my grandfather during his years in the United States Navy, and will add their memories to mine to tell the tale of a man who, although bigger than life in many ways, was father, grandfather and friend to many.

I also dedicate this site to another Momsen, my father, Charles Bowers Momsen, Jr., who attended the Naval Academy and graduated in 1942. He received the Elmer Sperry Award from the Department of Transportation of the United States Government for his part in the development of the Alvin submarine.

These men are the yardsticks with which I learned to measure dedication, bravery, honesty, humility and humanity.

If you have a story to tell about my father or grandfather, please write me at HelenHart@embroideryline.net and I will add it to this sea story - and it will make the telling all the better.

Helen Hart Momsen

SEA STORIES

I served under your grandfather when he was Captain Momsen - commanding the great battleship U.S.S. South Dakota. I was just a sailor - my rating was Musician Third Class. My watch station was in the superstructure and I often saw or passed the Captain on my way up and down the ladders. He was a most impressive man - the image of a real naval officer.

I'll never forget when one evening word got to him that there was no coffee available in the galley for the crew. He got on the ship's PA system and made it VERY clear to the galley personnel that this was most unacceptable - most! Interesting part of this is that recently, while reading my ship's web page I made contact with one of our cooks - and in re-telling that story found that he was the cook in charge at that time. It turns out that the Chief's mess had taken a lot of coffee and not told him, so he was unaware of the situation. It wasn't long after the Captains's message that a lot of coffee was available. And by the way, we had the very best cooks and bakers in the Navy - as well as the best gunners - and yes, by golly, the best band!

Another thing I remember your grandfather for - on most ships the bandsmen had battle stations as stretcher bearers - not great duty! But Captain Momsen reasoned that musicians were highly trained to work well together and should make good gun crews. So we were all assigned to AA guns in battle. I'll never forget him for that.

When the fleet was in Leyte Harbor in the Phillipines, getting ready to go on the Okinawa operation, the Army Officers Club ashore decided to have a party and dance for the high-ranking fleet officers - I don't recall seeing anything less than a three-striper there. The AOC, having some smarts, asked the fleet to furnish a dance band - and our band was picked for the gig. I was just a snotty-nosed kid, but we did have some fine musicians in our outfit - two of my friends went with the Clyde McCoy band after the war. We played the first set, then took a break - our Chief was told that "this club doesn't serve enlisted men". When asked by Captain Momsen after we went back to playing if the band was treated well, the Chief relayed what he had been told by the Club Steward. I was standing right by them (playing string bass) and I could actually see the red going up the Captain's face. Believe me, at next break we had all we wanted to eat and drink! I related this story in the SoDak's official book published by our association.

I'm sorry - this is getting too long. I do get carried away. But I wanted you to know that I'm proud to have served with your grandfather - and I was never a submariner!

Bill Collins