6/9/08:

Mr. Roberts -

I am a recently retired Navy Russian linguist. In an effort to keep my language skills up and pass the retired time a bit, I started a website:

redbannernorthernfleet.blogspot.com

I thought you may be interested to know that I posted a translated Russian account of the collision between the Voge and a Russian Echo II SSGN back in '76.

I think if the US pushed its Admiralty law claim, they'd have a case.

If I run across any other Soviet accounts of close encounters between Russian subs and American ships, I'll let you know.

Cheers!

Chet Tapley,
CTI1, USN (Ret.)

Subject: USS Voge - Yellow Trays
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004
From: Mike Ritter

USS Voge trivia:

I'm mike ritter. I served on the voge from '73-76 (gmt2). Does anyone remember the "thing" about the yellow food trays in the galley? What was that guy's name? i still laugh whenever I think of it. hope to hear from someone.

Thanks,

Mike Ritter

Subject: USS Voge DE 1047
Date: Mon, 17 May 2004
From: John Cuspilich

Hello I served on Voge 71-73 and spoted error in history section.

The heavy weather we went through was in dec,72 in transit from med to newport .the history section states it as April 72. Thank you.

John Cuspilich
6748-a 16 th. st. Berwyn, Ill
60402

From:  Alan Willis on 03/22/2001

Let me know if you would like a picture of the Voge taken in the yards in Toulan France after the collision with Echo II in 1976 Al

From:  Todd Weingartner on 03/12/2001

Gentlemen,
     A couple years back I added my story to the Voge web page, but it seems
it got lost somewhere... So here's a brief history. I served aboard the Voge
for 5 years, 3 months, and 17 days....at the time I held the record for
longevity on board. I reported in 1973, and left July 7, 1978...getting a two
month early out due to the upcoming yard period. I came on board as an
(M-Div) MM3, and left as an MM2....having "made" MMFN one time in between for
a six month period...had something to do with staying on the beach in Newport
rather than getting underway. LOL  I did make three Med cruises, including the
infamous "Chicken of the Sea" with the Echo II Russian sub and the Toulon,
France drydock experience, one yard period in Charleston...as well as the
following refresher training in Gitmo..and the following return to Charleston
to fix what they didn't the first time.  I've still got my cruise books and
each time I look at 'em..they bring back many fond memories...but very few
bad ones..  One regret..I wish I could've set foot on her just one more time
before she was scrapped!
                                     Todd Weingartner
                                           MM2 M-Div

Date: 16 Feb, 2001
From: Rich Brodeur

Voge was my first duty station. Was assigned to Weapons Division when she was homeported in Newport, Rhode Island under the command of CDR Atwood and CDR Alemian as his XO. Retired from the Navy in 1991 as a DPC.

Date: 5 Feb, 2001
From: Larry Miller

I came aboard in Charleston,1975, as FireControl Tech SN. Freshout of FTG "A" school GreatLakes. Went to Evans Bar a few times getting to know my new friends. We soon left Charleston and went to Mayport which was our home port for 3 more years. I went to the "Top of the Tides" and the "SeaClusion Lounge" for my orientation to girly bars. What a eye opening experience. Anyway we headed for the Med visited many places, it was a very cool time. Went back to the Med and we spent 2.5 months in the dry dock in Toulon France. To long in Toulon. The submarine experience was some thing to remember. Mr Casssin was scared to death. We were up in the Fire Control director and he thought we were sinking. Funny stuff now but not at the time it was happening. Went to the Boston Ship yards "Braswell" and lived off ship for a while before being discharged. I now am married with two grown children Michael 23 and Nicole 18. I am a Systems Analyst and have been enjoying computers for sometime now. Kevin Schebilski, Fred Wilson, Ken Miller, Bill Hibbard, John King, and Gary Moynihan are some of the guys I ran around with at the time. Hope all is well with all who read this little letter. Please feel free to email.

Date: 5 Feb, 2001
From: Tom Shuster

Reported onboard while in the yards in Boston, discharged from the yards in NYC. Looking for members of 3rd Division.

Subject: Voge Info
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999
From: Lee R. Voge

Dear Mr. Stark,

Let me introduce myself, my name is Lee Voge and I served in the US Navy for 14 years as a Radioman and was medically discharged in 1994 as an RM1. I've been intrueged by the fact that there was a US Navy warship with my last name for a number of years. I've come to learn about it, and that my cousin Dennis Voge sailed on its maiden voyage as a Gunner's Mate. I've only gotten to see the ship from afar while inport at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba...I was never able to get aboard her. My grandfather, Leroy M. Allen, who spent 33 years in the Navy sent me a commissioning program from the ceremony when VOGE was commissioned...very interesting. There is just one item I would like to have if you are ever able to acquire one and that would be a ballcap from the VOGE. My brother and sister have also served the US Navy proudly and are also interested in any information about VOGE.

Please email me at ndpm@hotmail.com

Thank You,

Lee R. Voge USN

Subject: USS VOGE DE 1047
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 1998
From: John Stevens

I SERVED ABOARD THE VOGE FROM 1970 TO 1974, WHEN I GOT MY DISCHARD AS SM2 JOHN STEVENS. I ORIGINALLY REPORTED ABOARD WHEN THE SHIP WAS IN THE BOSTON NAVY YARD IN CHARLESTON. BECAUSE OF A YARD DELAY, I GOT MARRIED IN JANUARY AND THEN WE STARTED STEAMIN'. WE WENT TO GITMO, MADE A 6 WEEK ATLANTIC CRIUSE AND TWO MED CRUISES DURING MY TIME. WE WERE ALSO TRANSFERRED FROM NEWPORT RI TO MAYPORT FL IN THE FALL OF '73. MY FAVORITE CAPTAIN WAS CDR. HC ATWOOD. THE BEST XO WAS JM BLESCH, WHO LAYER COMMMANDED THE BATTLESHIP WISCONSIN.

MORE LATER,

JOHN STEVENS

Subject: Updated Link
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998
From: Richard Hoon

Eric,

I did an update to my site - made a dedication to the VOGE

USS VOGE (FF-1047)

Subject: USS VOGE (FF 1047)
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1998
From: Richard Hoon

QM3,

Here is a link that has several pictures of one of the Garcia Class frigates, USS VOGE (FF-1047).

There are other pics on the page but you can use any one of them if you'd like, or just link to them. Whatever, I don't mind. By the way, this is my site, so do what you please. All photos were taken by me so there is no copywrite infringement!

YNC(SCW) Richard J. Hoon

Subject: USS Voge
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998
From: Cliff Morris

I served aboard the USS Voge from the spring of 1971 to the fall of 1973. At that time she was home-ported in Newport, Rhode Island and assigned to DESRON 24.

Cliff Morris