In World War II, was it common for the submariners, especially the commanding officer, to smoke a cigarette when submerged?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 20:07:26 -0500

Last night, I watch the movie Blockbuster Midway. This was the 2019 remake of The 1975 movie. it may not have had the same outstanding number of famous actors, but it was still an excellent movie.
The USS Nautilus was attacking elements of the Japanese Fleet near Midway and I noticed that the commanding officer was smoking while the submarine was submerged. My wife mentioned this to me today as well. She felt there would not be that much oxygen in the sub to allow for cigarettes. Isn't this considered a fire hazard? Many of you know World War 2 veterans past and present. Can you help this army guy out?
Another question that I wanted to ask is it common for those Sailors wearing the summer tan uniforms to have wrinkled uniforms? I know that Hawaii is hot and humid but I noticed that the high-ranking officers all had wrinkled uniforms and I wanted to know was this a common problem?

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Dec 8 at 2019 8:35 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 20:35:37 -0500

I think smoking was considered a safe, normal pastime back then.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Dec 8 at 2019 9:20 PM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 21:20:45 -0500

Smoking was allowed on Submarines before 2010.
Life aboard a submarine may soon get a little harder to take for thousands of sailors. The Navy announced today a ban on smoking aboard submarines while they are deployed below the surface after medical testing showed non-smokers suffered effects of second-hand smoke. It will take effect by Dec. 31, 2010.

Response by LTC Gary Earls made Dec 8 at 2019 9:20 PM

LTC Gary Earls — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 21:20:46 -0500

Maybe the sub commander needed to smoke to calm his nerves. :-) I noticed the wrinkled Navy uniforms. I guess that may have been the case at that time with cotton uniforms. Maybe a Navy guy can inform us.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Dec 8 at 2019 10:18 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 22:18:14 -0500

Very interesting!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 8 at 2019 10:20 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 22:20:59 -0500

Can you help us with this, MCPO Roger Collins?

Response by CPO Nate S. made Dec 8 at 2019 10:23 PM

CPO Nate S. — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 22:23:46 -0500

Sir,

My father-in-law as a WWII submariner. Yes, smoking was allowed and he smoked like a steam locomotive in overdrive. Pops use to tell me stories including stories about Rickover! I miss those stories.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyman_G._Rickover#Early_naval_career_through_World_War_II

Hyman_G._Rickover%23Early_naval_career_through_World_War_II

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2019 5:32 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 05:32:51 -0500

Smoking on submarines was allowed all the way up to about 10 years ago.