In 1975, decommissioned fleet submarine USS CARBONERO (SS 337) was designated as the target submarine for a live-warhead test of the then-new Mark 48 submarine torpedo. USS MOCTOBI (ATF 105), a seagoing, “fleet tug” was assigned to tow CARBONERO to the test operation area off Hawaii. MOCTOBI’s officers inspected the sub inside and out as required to ensure she was ready for towing. The executive officer was concerned that the large, bronze forward capstan, used for taking in mooring lines, might interfere with rigging the towing bridle, so he removed it and had it turned in to the submarine base supply office. After the test he visited that office and asked what they did with such material. The reply was that certain items “screened” as not re-usable were sold at a monthly property disposal auction. Out of curiosity he attended the next auction and saw the same capstan in a “lot” with some other brass/bronze objects. Thinking it might make a nice souvenir he bid and won, then sold the unwanted items to the local scrapyard. The capstan is marked on top near the center, in three lines: “CARBONERO, 337, FWD.” There are still small barnacles attached to the underside of the capstan, and it retains small patches of a special dull black paint used on submarines. Dimensions: Diameter: 24.5 in., Height, total: 25.5 in., Height of above-deck drum: 16 in. (Private collection, Philadelphia, PA.)