Just when we think there is nothing more the folks in charge at the Museum of Science and Industry could do to smudge their already tarnished image, they prove us wrong.

Growing up in Chicago as I did many years ago, I remember that USS SILVERSIDES was berthed at Navy Pier as a training ship and then turned into a Memorial there. She had a splendid wartime record and the city of Chicago, under Mayor Richard J. Daley, treated her beautifully and she was a focal point along the lake.

Then Harold Washington became Mayor a short time after the death of Mayor Daley, and more or less, forced SILVERSIDES to move across the lake to Muskegon, Michigan where she is today. It was probably a blessing in disguise, as the group that takes care of SS 236 is an outstanding bunch. They take magnificent care of this old lady of the sea. They are very professional and caring.

So, along these lines, a couple guides from USS SILVERSIDES wanted to learn more about how to give good and educational tours of the submarine. They figured they should go to the Museum of Science and Industry and get a real education on how to conduct tours and to learn more about submarines. They got a real education!

They were hustled through U-505 in quickstep and did not have time to ask questions or to stop and really look at anything at all. They identified themselves as guides on USS SILVERSIDES and requested to be given some more time aboard the boat so they could really look, think, learn and plan. They were told - NO. They complained to the management and were again told - NO. They demanded their money back and again, they were told - NO.

They drove some two hours each way to get to this really superb museum and to look over U-505 to improve their knowledge and skills as tour guides but what they got was a quickstep tour through the boat. What happened to professional courtesy? What happened to giving customers their money’s worth? As we have read in past issues, the executives there at the Museum seem to have the idea to “Get ‘em in; get ‘em through; and get ‘em out.” The more they can push through in an hour, the more they hear the cash register ringing.

By the time you receive this issue, we will have a special section on our web site devoted to the complaints, poor service and flat out lack of security as priceless pieces of this submarine are stolen.

Remember, if you want to bring this to the attention of someone who can do something about this state of affairs, write:

Mayor Richard M. Daley
City Hall
121 No. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60606

One Final Item

One of the management at the Museum phoned the folks at USS SILVERSIDES, and chewed them out for sending their guides to the Museum! Imagine -- and they only wanted to learn something. They did - but it was not what they expected.