Under the sea...

Jeff, you are right about the distilling plant, but I read that the plant only put out limited amounts and what came out was for batteries, cooking, and some hygenics among other things. I also read that the ship's cooks were the ONLY crew members aboard who were encouraged to shower daily to preserve water. The outside water usage seemed possibly logical...

As far as spinning vs. wringer, if you look at the top of the washer right under the wringer, you'll see a rectangular cover where the wringed out water could return to the washer to be reused, saving suds (there was NO room for a sink to save the suds water), water and room in the bilge that tub after tub would take up. I'm actually doing a little research to see if I can find how it worked, but you can almost make book that, at least as far as the enlisted men went, there were probably no individual loads, just community loads...

It also makes sense that there was no pump a nd it would gravity drain into the bilge. Too bad there was a wire door across the room opening. Probably put there to keep washer fanatics like me from tearing it apart to see how it ticked...

RCD


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Post# 291778 7/20/2008 at 15:13 (5,757 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)
Checkrate/Likes I was visiting the Bay Area (helping Mom & Dad) and got a chance to tour the S.S. Pampanito (SS-383), a 'Balau' class WWII submarine on permanant display at the San Francisco Maritime Association (Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf). I managed to get a picture of this. Here's what our servicemen did laundry in during the early 40's on war patrol. Of course the room was barely big enough to fit the washer. I apologize in advance for the picture quality as it was taken with a basic camera phone... RCD

Post# 291781 , Reply# 1 7/20/2008 at 15:17 (5,757 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)
Checkrate/Likes Another view. The entryway was closed off so I couldn't get closer, hence no money shot! Note the sight glass to allow you to check the water level as all you did was turn a valve to let water in (most likely sea water) with out a level control.

Post# 291784 , Reply# 2 7/20/2008 at 15:21 (5,757 days old) by tuthill ()
Checkrate/Likes WOW... That is so cool

Post# 291785 , Reply# 3 7/20/2008 at 15:21 (5,757 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)
Checkrate/Likes A closer shot of the base. It's hard to tell (Sorry about the picture quality) but this was made by the American Laundry Machinery Co. You think Tide was used or some gov't blend? RCD

Post# 291798 , Reply# 4 7/20/2008 at 17:30 (5,757 days old) by hydralique (Los Angeles)
Checkrate/Likes *I have no idea what detergent they would have used . . .* but it would be helpful to know if the American Laundry Machinery Co. packed a box of Tide in each new machine they delived to the shipbuilders. Can't you just see a glamour shot of a handsome sailer opening the brand-new machine, pulling out a box of Tide, and exclaiming to his shipmates "Look at what the American Laundry Machinery Co. packed in our new machine!" Great pics BTW - thanks for posting.

Post# 291871 , Reply# 5 7/21/2008 at 04:05 (5,756 days old) by qsd-dan (West)
Checkrate/Likes WOW!! That has to be one of the biggest wringer washers ever! That's the only front loading washer with a wringer that I ever have seen. Very cool!!!

Post# 291873 , Reply# 6 7/21/2008 at 05:04 (5,756 days old) by jeffg ()
Checkrate/Likes Drew, the SS Pampanito had a Badger vapor compression water distilling plant. It converted saltwater into fresh for drinking, laundry and other cleaning. CLICK HERE TO GO TO jeffg's LINK

Post# 291882 , Reply# 7 7/21/2008 at 09:01 (5,756 days old) by mihi ()
Checkrate/Likes Very very nice. I was in that sub some years ago with my 12-year old son. My son actually fell going down the steps (but wasn't hurt, just bruised a little). but I didn't get any photo's of the washer. Great shot and thanks for sharing it.

Post# 291883 , Reply# 8 7/21/2008 at 09:12 (5,756 days old) by toggleswitch2 ()
Checkrate/Likes *I thought I smelled fish.* Sea water? Why the wringer? Does this thing not spin? Or would that put out vibration that was discernible by radar and such?

Post# 291908 , Reply# 9 7/21/2008 at 11:41 (5,756 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)
Checkrate/Likes Tide would most certainly be an appropriate brand in this case.

Post# 291909 , Reply# 10 7/21/2008 at 11:43 (5,756 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)
Checkrate/Likes *Ideas...* Jeff, you are right about the distilling plant, but I read that the plant only put out limited amounts and what came out was for batteries, cooking, and some hygenics among other things. I also read that the ship's cooks were the ONLY crew members aboard who were encouraged to shower daily to preserve water. The outside water usage seemed possibly logical... As far as spinning vs. wringer, if you look at the top of the washer right under the wringer, you'll see a rectangular cover where the wringed out water could return to the washer to be reused, saving suds (there was NO room for a sink to save the suds water), water and room in the bilge that tub after tub would take up. I'm actually doing a little research to see if I can find how it worked, but you can almost make book that, at least as far as the enlisted men went, there were probably no individual loads, just community loads... It also makes sense that there was no pump a nd it would gravity drain into the bilge. Too bad there was a wire door across the room opening. Probably put there to keep washer fanatics like me from tearing it apart to see how it ticked... RCD