Remembering CTC Harris Monroe “Red” Austin, First DIRSUP Submarine Operator (Part 5 of 5)

“After the COCHINO pulled off station, the submarine quickly ran into the middle of one HELL of a storm that [caused] the series parallel switch to short out in the aft battery. We had rendezvoused with TUSK early in the morning and were conversing while at snorkel depth in very heavy seas. Of course, when the seas overwhelmed the snorkel the flapper valve closed and we drew air for the diesels [engines] from inside the boat which not only raised hell with your ears popping every few seconds, but raised the hydrogen levels over 5 percent due to the equalization of warm air flowing over the battery banks when the snorkel popped out again.