Posted on Dec 8, 2019
In World War II, was it common for the submariners, especially the commanding officer, to smoke a cigarette when submerged?
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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?
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?
Posted in these groups: 
Hollywood
Naval/Maritime History
112x: Submarine Warfare Officer
Military History
Hollywood Naval/Maritime History 112x: Submarine Warfare Officer Military History
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 7
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I think smoking was considered a safe, normal pastime back then.
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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
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
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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.
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.
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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.
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MCPO Roger Collins
In 1957, aboard WWII Diesel submarine sailors smoked a lot, not so much Commissioned Officers, as I recall. Since submarines of this vintage had to snorkel or surface to charge batteries frequently, we had fresh air, most of the time. When in certain situations where that was not possible, the smoking lamp (old terminology) was out. I have been in situations where a cigarette would go out due to lack of oxygen. Actually CO was more of a problem, a chemical called lithium hydroxide was spread out on the bunks to alleviate the problem temporarily. Fun times.
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LTC Stephen C.
Many thanks, MCPO Roger Collins. Here’s your answer, LTC Stephen Conway!
PVT Mark Zehner CPO Nate S. LTC Gary Earls SCPO Morris Ramsey Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen COL Robert Grierson
PVT Mark Zehner CPO Nate S. LTC Gary Earls SCPO Morris Ramsey Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen COL Robert Grierson
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