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The
ship is sound! Shore power and heat will keep her comfortable over this
winter and restoration work can continue. Interior restoration is
progressing and will continue until spring, at which time we will
“attack” the exterior paint work.
So
far, here is our progress:
CWO
Bob Gesking, our Port Engineer, and his wife Helen, have completed the
inventory of engineering parts. We have a wide array of engine and
electrical parts on board; sufficient to keep us operational. Thanks
Bob! From here, it’s down to clean up the engine & motor rooms,
remove the old, dead batteries and remount the good ones, and winterize
the ship.
Our
Deck custodian, Doug
O’Dell, has nearly completed an inventory and disposal of the
lazarette and forward hold areas and continues to organize local work
parties on board to clean her up. The passenger space paneling and |
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suspended ceiling
are almost
gone, bringing her back to original configuration. Over the winter, we
will dispose of the aged and rotted carpet in the berthing area and mess
deck, and begin interior cleaning and painting.
CWO
Sandy Schwaab has been up to Cleveland one week a month since June,
coordinating issues on the ship. He has also been to Virginia visiting
the Tamaroa
to “steal” as much stuff as possible; we got some fire fighting
equipment & battle lanterns. He’ll be going back to Virginia in
early November to pick up some more gear from Tamaroa
and CGC Escape
to set us up
with equipment. There is also a good possibility that he will be able to
assemble a non-working Gyro system for the ship from a Virginia donor.
Sandy and Doug were also involved in creating an advisory board of local
entrepreneurs and businessmen to assist us in marketing, fund raising,
and grants. The members are James Stary (ex-CG) Grants and Marketing;
Kerry Watterson (ex-CG LT) UBS Financial Services; and Clark Fitzgibbons
of Fitzgibbons Arnold Insurance Co. Their current projects are to
investigate and secure a $50,000 loan for initial costs and grant
equivalents, connect us with the Ohio Board of Historical, the Historic
National Landmarks, and other creditable agencies. Sandy And Bob met
with the CO of Marine Safety Unit Cleveland and several of her Marine
Inspectors in October to plan our future status with the Coast Guard;
our plans for the museum, educational endeavors, and using the
ship as an underway training platform. We will be having a general
walk-thru inspection of the ship the week of 16 November to generate a
proposed work list.
We
are working very hard to make this project come together. This
organization, as with any non- profit tax deductible organization,
relies on member support, even in these tough financial and uncertain
times our country is experiencing at this time in our careers. Like me,
most of you are retired, trying to make ends meet, and giving another
dollar some where else is difficult to do. We have at least 500 members,
but, so far, only 61 of them have paid their annual dues of $25.00 to
help support this effort of restoration. Our end goal is a working CG
Tug museum and educational platform that will be a tribute to all
you who have served and will serve in the future.
We
want to create a platform that is self sustaining by you and those who
come along in the future. But, I am concerned that with only 61 out of
500 supporting the organization, we will lose this wonderful ship to
scrap if more members do not step up to the plate and contribute.
To
make you a part of the ship for all generations we ask the following:
All members who have not paid their dues of $25.00 do so as soon
as possible.
If
you want to really help us, we will have a plaque made up with your name
under the following categories:
Admirals-
$1000 donation
Captains-
$500 donation
Chiefs-
$100 donation
Seamen-
$50 donation
We are going to
make anyone who makes a one time contribution for any one of the
following “ships spaces” a plaque that will be placed on the
bulkhead over the entrance to that space naming that space in your
honor. |
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Endowments are
a key element in preserving the heritage of the Coast Guard Cutter Apalachee.
The Coast Guard Tug Association is a federally-recognized 501(c)3
organization, so your donations will provide tax benefits to the extent
allowed by law.
In advance, I
want to thank all of you for taking up the challenge and cause and
sending in your dues and making donations and “getting your own
space.” These efforts and those of you who have already contributed
will make a huge difference to the CG Tug Association.
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