Our submarine got under way in late December 1979 from Norfolk, Virginia, USA. One hundred and twenty (give or take) men, sealed in a steel tube heading East. We crossed the Atlantic, turned south around Africa and into the Indian Ocean where for months we patrolled endlessly. Three weeks in Deigo Garcia broke up our voyage, but we were anchored out, little time ashore and we were looking to heading farther east as our global circumnavigation continued.

And what did we have to look forward to?? Five days' liberty in Fremantle West Australia. As most of us were east coast sailors none of our crew had ever been to Australia. We practised singing Waltzing Matilda, but that was about it. We arrived weary but happy in June 1980, glad to finally arrive.

Five days later when we left there was one thing on which we could all agree. Many of us were experienced travellers having visited countries around the world. Without question, without doubt, Fremantle - West Australia was the absolute best liberty port in the world, bar none; and the people of Australia were the warmest, friendliest, most outgoing we had ever met. If ever I were to decide to leave the United States, and relocate somewhere else, it is the memories of Australia that would pull me. Why is this? Glad you asked - let me tell you..

During World War II when Australia was threatened with war, Churchill had pulled out the British Divisions guarding Australia to return to Europe. This left Australia vulnerable and desperate. It was the United States that rushed in to fill the gap. In the cold war days of 1980 the threat of Red China was very real... Australians felt that if the bad day came, it was to the United States they would be able to turn to for assistance. And today, (or at least in 1980) people remembered.

In many countries we could not wear our nation's uniform for fear of terrorism - in many countries Americans were spat upon, we were the great Satan of the world!! In Australia we found a people who liked us because we were Americans. Oh! even we American have a few idiots, but a person would have to prove himself an idiot before he would be disliked. And we responded enthusiastically!!!

To the joy of the average sailor, the Australian men loved to drink beer, shoot snooker and play darts. This left the Australian women at loose ends (ha ha) and the "Dial a Sailor" phone installed in the submarine rang incessantly - girls, women looking to entertain some lucky sailor for a day or two or more.. What a country!! What a life!!