Jim,
One of the things I have learned through reading the accounts of these old boats it that there was not a whole lot that fit into a pure manufacturing molde like we see today. Many modifications were made on the fly and without the shipyard knowledge. I remember one account on the Tang where O'kain had his crew reconfigure the antena on the sheers to create a smaller submerged wake for the boat. Just one example.
I do not believe that the Batfish ever had a rear ladder. At least I have never found any documentation showing that it did. The issue here is access tot he bridge. I am still in favor of letting the public up to the bridge area, we just need to decide how. Access needed to be safe and the ladder to the after gun deck is the only practical way that I can see. In our case, interpretation is critical. We have an opertunity here to stylize it and make it our. Take advantage of the. At least within reason.
Rick
