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Stories by Ron J .......

Ron J

Ron J

Active member
For the last 4 or 5 years, this vessel has always intrigued me...I know from just looking at it, its no doubt an old Coast Guard Cutter or Patrol Boat. During past visits to Gloucester, i make it a point to visit the Harbor, see whats new or old, whats in Port etc. Gloucester Harbor is an old Seaport, and they boast that it is the oldest Seaport![attachment 117503 DSC07399.jpg] This is how you pronounce Gloucester....[attachment 117504 DSC07425.jpg] Gloucester Harbor is a large one, with a good size fleet still existing, but hurting. Too many restrictions on fishing. I may have posted a picture or two of this vessel before, but don't think so. This vessel made the Gloucester Newspaper last summer. The owner was trying to get a mooring in an area, designated for smaller vessels, so it was denied. Dock Space is expensive..could be $95 per foot, minimum on up! A mooring may only cost a one time fee, for the Mooring itself,(1000 to 1500) with a yearly fee of $100 or so. Well anyway, most any time i have seen this boat it was always at a distance,somewhere in the harbor, or at a dock, without access. The closest i came to it, was during a Whale Watch trip i took, we passed by it, but at a distance. Here it is, tied up at the end of a dock, with "No Trespassing" or Employee's Only" signs here and there. I wanted close-up shots, here was my chance! Although i would need to watch most every step, between snow, ice, and Seagull poop, the latter being the worst, i could only slip and break my neck, fall overboard or get thrown out! :D In which case, maybe they would believe i, "no speaka the anglash" or "no can raeda anglash"? I needed to take the chance,and i did! Seeing her from a distance, i was always puzzled why the owner had spent a lot of time an effort to strip the hull bare, he left the white paint on the bow? Now i see why, he was following her beautiful lines...[attachment 117507 DSC07403.jpg] The white area appears doubled hulled for strength, possibly to break thin ice, during her career? Looking at the hull, and transom area, there is a lot of work ahead for the owner. There is some rot, some boards will need replacement, but the greatest asset, is she is FLOATING! Most older wooden boats, specially this big, usually end up sitting in a yard, abandoned and rot away. I have never seen her underway,but i assume she is still powered and running. Note the heavy duty hardware, a winch on the bow, davits on the transom,hoist on the stern. I would love to own this vessel, but even if it were available, assuming i could afford it, upkeep would be endless. kind of like a carpenter building his own house, while still employed...endless, and deep pockets! I still did not have a shot of the complete vessel. I walked back, and then to the next dock. This dock was blocked by a building, with about 3 feet of space around the perimeter. Again, "NO Trespassing" signs everywhere. One side was lined with fishing vessels,walkway covered with more dangerous ice than before. What the heck, i am here, go for it! As i got closer to the rear of the building, there were more and more "NO TRESPASSING" signs every where, or maybe they said "WELCOME"? Anyway, for those few moments, "I no speaka or reada anglish". Finally, a good shot of the complete boat.Perhaps someday i can meet the owner,and get a personal tour? attachment 117513 DSC07404.jpg][attachment 117512 DSC07422.jpg]
 
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It appears to me that someone would have to be wealthy to own that boat...lots of maintence work. A single person would have to work full time on the maintence of that boat, and I think that the fun would soon disappear. I agree with you, it is a beautiful boat. Please have a great day! Kelley (Texas) :)
 
[attachment 117534 DSC07193.jpg]The first week of February sure flew by fast, I could hardly wait for the weekend to arrive. I had received an invite to tour, Boston Coast Guard Base, by a personal friend, who is active Coast Guard. The Chief knows my interest of the Coast Guard, and he would be on duty Saturday. Well at 08:30, (another friend, who is also one of my Master techs,) Phil and I arrived at the guarded gates. We made a call, and the Chief sent a young enlistee down with a pass to let us enter the base. I never thought i would be on the premises! A week before, i had been snooping around Boston, and had walked along a harbor walk in extremely cold weather, to seek a picture of a Cutter,i had viewed from a distance. And here, now, i am standing almost on top of it! But that is another story! During my tour, we entered a large building, where they overhaul the smaller craft. As we entered there on a trailer, was a 47 footer! Partially stripped for overhaul. I have seen many different 47's in the water. Even went on patrol on one, out of Gloucester prior to 911! Again courtesy of the Chief. Well i got the camera hopping...here being overhauled is "47255". The 47 being the length, the 255, being the sequential production number. This patrol boat had been stationed in Newburyport, at Merrimack River Station, as seen on the stern. I searched my photograph listing, and sure enough i had a few pictures while she was on duty back in 2007. Notice the rubber rails are off, so the hull can be inspected for corrosion, cleaned and prepped to stop further corrosion.The shafts and props are removed, and from the looks of the turbo and intakes,laying around, i assumed the engines were removed for overhaul also.[attachment 117529 DSC07371.jpg][attachment 117530 DSC07368.jpg] Here she is on the job in 2007![attachment 117531 TheCGatwork.Newburyport001.jpg][attachment 117532 TheCGatwork.Newburyport009.jpg][attachment 117533 TheCGatwork.Newburyport010.jpg]
 
been busy and just got both your photo essays read and really enjoyed them, nobody does it better! :super:
 
she looks better in the water:).the coast guard guys get a treat,it would be extremely hard for a civilian to maintain a ship like that,at least cost wise.better enjoy it while the can.
 
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of been doing it all in the water from the sanding above the water line... Often guys don't like to pull out the wodden hulls if they don't have to. Left out to long, not blocked up right, they pull themselves apart. Sitting in the water is better. At some of the marina's aroudn these parts I still see a lot of old nice 40 and 50 wooden boats at the docks. They just used them as a cheap summer cottage. Few of them ever leave the docks. Also, a lot of yards will no longer pull wooden hulls, because they just leave them there. Getting hard to find anyone to steam planks, ribs, caulk etc. Glass pretty much killed off that hobby, and not a minute to soon if you ask me. I was one of those guys..... My father loved it and was still doing until shortly before he passed away.

Interesting boat for sure. I wonder what his plans are for it? Let us know if you find out?

Nice post....

geo-CT
 
Sorry bout the title, but couldn't resist:D I am not talking babies of course, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say! (This is kind of a follow up story from my C.G. Boston, visit.) I had snooped around Boston docks a couple of weeks ago, as i may have mentioned. At that time there was only 1 CG Cutter in port at the Boston Location. I got a few good shots, along the harbor walkways, never in a million years, knowing that the following week, i would actually be invited on the Base, itself![attachment 117674 DSC07188.jpg] The #907 "Escanaba". Last week could not of gone by any slower, i was so anxious for Saturday to come. I didn't know what to expect, and was hoping at least that this vessel, may still be in port. When i entered the gates, after getting the Pass, as i mentioned in the earlier story, i was quite thrilled to see not only one Cutter, but two! The Second was the #906, "Seneca" docked at the next dock. [attachment 117675 DSC07360.jpg]I have since learned, she had just come in from a tour on the previous Wednesday. But before i could get closer views of these two babies, i was escorted into headquarters, to meet my good friend, Chief B. The Chief gave me and Phil , a brief tour of the building, his personal office, and another area, which had some real goodies on display, a Fresnel lense, a ships bell, a Lyle Cannon etc. I didn't expect to see these items here, but enjoyed seeing them. Within headquarters looking out over the entire premises, was quite a site. Overlooking the Boston Harbor, The Frigate Constitution, (Old Ironsides), Bunker Hill, and the yard itself, full of Channel Marker buoys, smaller tenders, and the two Cutters. What a view! While enjoying the view from different floor levels, as we were guided by the Chief, in comes a Third Cutter, with a Tug cruising close to her side. We stopped to see her dock, between the other two of her kind. She came to a full stop, swung around a bit, pulled in Bow first, slowly, snuggling up to the dock, with the ever presence of the Tug. Finally berthed, the Tug giving a little nudge, keeping her tight against the dock, so the lines could be snugged properly. What a sight, now, Three, 270 foot Cutters, side by side. No big deal to those stationed here, but it was to me! The Chief informed me, this class of vessel is older, being built in the 60's, but updated continually, is going to be phased out,with an updated, more modern vessel. I'm sure, faster, more economical, and more computerized! The Third vessel , #909 "Campbell" is out of Portsmouth Naval Base, in Kittery Maine. Ironically i was there about 3 or 4 weeks ago, snapping pictures, from across Portsmouth Harbor, again, not expecting to see the same vessel in Boston![attachment 117682 DSC07361.jpg] So...Here they are together..[attachment 117684 DSC07392.jpg] This building was built to look like the Bridge of a ship...[attachment 117690 DSC07385.jpg] And here is a Buoy "farm" where they are refurbished for a tough duty, guiding Mariners into the proper Channels! [attachment 117692 DSC07375.jpg] Remember...... Right / Red / Return !! A little history about the "ESCANABA" ......She is the second vessel to earn the distinction of bearing the name. Her predecessor was built in 1932 in Michigan. Derived from the Native American word, meaning "flat rock, named for the city and river, ESCANABA . During WWII June 13, 1943,she was lost with all hands in the Atlantic, except for two mighty lucky crewmembers!! Seaman First Class Raymond O'Malley and Boatswains Mate Second Class Melvin Baldwin. 101 men lost!! All that remains of her, is the Mast, a Lifeboat, and couple of smaller items, on display in the City of Grand Haven, as part of a Memorial. Her namesake carries on traditions... The Newer "Escanaba" recalls the heroic actions of the predecessor with the ship's motto "The Spirit Lives On" . With this in mind, a special tradition is upheld around the motto. Every year on that anniversary of the sinking, the entire ships crew assembles on deck for ceremony honoring the sacrifice of the first "Escanaba's" crew. The same day, the current Captain of the "Escanaba" calls either by phone or radio, the remaining survivor , Mr. Raymond O'Malley, whether at Sea or Port, to report to Mr. O'Malley , the health of the crew, the ship, and to their commitment that "The Spirit Lives On"! Now that i must say is ALL AMERICAN!:usaflag:
 
looks like it was a beautiful day to get out and enjoy your tour of the place.sounds like 40 or 50 years of service and they are ready to be phased out.wonder if the sell them to civilians or foreign governments when they are finished?guess it depends.
 
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...but it is, indeed, a beautiful vessel! I can only imagine what it would have looked like when it was new!

Someone WOULD have to have deep pockets and really love the old boat to make her well again. Thanks for sharing her with us. It just has majestic lines, but I'll just have to stick to the party barge.

aj
 
Been wrestling with the idea for a few days, to head to Maine this weekend, threefold , one for a snooping expedition ,eyeball some Lighthouse's / hit some Antique stores/ and possibly purchase a new Outboard Motor, that i had seen on-line for the past few weeks. As of last night i still hadn't made up my mind... But up at 4:00 a.m. Shower,Shave,dressed..hit the road, was eating breakfast in Portland Maine just before 6:00 at Becky's Diner on the waterfront! Proceeded to go snooping around the waterfront ,don't know the area so just hugged the buildings,looking for alleyways or water access. Wasn't to much at first,till i headed towards higher hills. I could see the Harbor, which is huge...finally came upon an open area, with cannon on the lawn, overlooking the harbor area...simply beautiful and spacious. Getting ahead of myself...First are some pictures of arriving at Portland, you are greeted with a nice sign, and a large Anchor. The Anchor is a dedication to the Merchant Marine, who we kind of but in the back burners... We forget the thousands of Merchant Mariner's who went down in freighters, supply ships etc.,that were convoys and sunk on their way to bringing supplies to England, during the War. They were not in the Armed Forces.. actually i believe they were civilians, doing their job, running ships! They got pulled into the War. Their Vessels did not carry weapons for defense,or so the story goes...but they were transporting ammunition,trucks,food....badly needed. They do deserve Praise![attachment 119033 100_1780.jpg][attachment 119034 100_1783.jpg][attachment 119035 100_1782.jpg][attachment 119036 100_1781.jpg]:usaflag:
 
I have heard of Portland, Maine and am looking forward to your adventure there. The Merchant Marine has never gotten their just recognition, sad. Maybe one of these days more folks will learn about their sacrifices. Please have a great day! Kelley (Texas) :)
 
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