PTFs TODAY

PROGRESS

THE PROCESS OF RESURFACING THE BRIDGE HAS STARTED, THE REMOVAL THE SHEETS OF FIBERGLASS LEFT SMALL DIVOTS FROM PIECES OF PLYWOOD THAT WERE PULLED UP WITH THE OLD FIBERGLASS. DURAGLASS RESIN IS BEING USED AS THE SURFACE LEVELING MATERIAL, THIS IS SANDED DOWN TO THE LEVEL OF THE ORIGINAL WOOD SURFACE, LEAVING A SEALED, STRONG SURFACE TO LAY DOWN NEW FIBERGLASS. NEW WOOD FRAMING IS BEING INSTALLED ALONG THE TOP OF THE BRIDGE AT THE LOOK OUT POSITIONS AND A NEW DASH FOR THE BRIDGE. A NEW LAYER OF MARINE GRADE PLYWOOD WILL BE ADDED TO THE DECK OF THE BRIDGE TO RE-ENFORCE THE ORIGINAL PLYWOOD DECK. THE RADAR REPEATER ON THE BRIDGE WILL BE ELIMINATED, IT DID NOT EXIST ON THE BRIDGE PRIOR TO THE 1968/1969 REFIT AT SUBIC BAY. THE UNIT IS TOTALLY RUINED AND WAY BEYOND ANY HOPE OF REPAIR, THE CHART ROOM REPEATER IS ANOTHER STORY. IT IS IN GOOD SHAPE WITH ALL OF ITS HARDWARE INTACT, HOW IT WILL BE RESTORED WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A LATER TIME, THE PREDOMINATE IDEA IS TO INSTALL A MODERN UNIT IN THE ORIGINAL HOUSING AND MAKE IT A FUNCTIONAL UNIT. WORK ON

THE NOSE OF THE BOAT HAS STARTED, THE BULL NOSE RING AND MOUNTING PLATE HAVE BEEN REMOVED, REVEALING THE WOOD LAMINATED BULL NOSE STRUCTURE. THIS AREA HAS BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE BUT, NOT PROPERLY, THIS WILL REQUIRE THAT A NEW WOOD BULL NOSE WILL BE MADE, ALONG WITH THE SUB STRUCTURE OF THE BULL NOSE RING PLATE. THE REMOVAL OF ALL BRACKETS, VENTS AND CLEATS HAS ALSO STARTED, SO THAT THE FIBERGLASS CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE DECK.

IN RESEARCHING THE THREE DELTICS, WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THEY CAME OUT OF NORWEGIAN SERVICE IN 1991, THEN TO ENGLAND, THEN FLORIDA. ON INSPECTION WE HAVE FOUND THAT THEY ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, WITH MAYBE 30 HOURS OF RUN TIME. WE WILL BE CHECKING THE MANUFACTURING DATE TO DETERMINE THE AGE OF THE ENGINES, THEY APPEAR TO HAVE HAD LITTLE OR NO USE, WE WILL LET EVERYONE KNOW AS SOON AS THIS INFO IS AVAILABLE.

LOOKING AHEAD

WE HAVE HAD MANY GREAT SUGGESTIONS IN OUR HUNT FOR THE DECK ORDINANCE, PLEASE KEEP LOOKING I HAVE STARTED TO FOLLOW UP SOME OF THE LEADS, THE REQUIREMENT IS THE SAME, A SINGLE 40mm GUN WITH MOUNTING RING, .50cal / 81mm MORTAR COMBO, AND TWO 20mm GUNS ARE REQUIRED. THREE TRIPLE LEG 20mm MOUNTS ARE NEEDED.

THE DESIRE IS TO RE-ASSEMBLE THE BOAT IN A NEAR FINISHED APPEARANCE, THIS WILL HELP PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

WE HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN THE WEB SITE, MOST OF THE MATERIAL HAS BEEN PACKAGED AND WE ARE WORKING ON THE URL AND MERCHANDISING.

MONEY TREE

WITH OUR 501C3 STATUS DATING BACK TO OUR INCORPORATION, WE NOW QUALIFY FOR OUR LOCAL COUNTY GRANT PROGRAM. WORKSHOPS FOR THIS YEARS SUBMITTAL ARE BEING SCHEDULED AND WE SILL BE ATTENDING. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING TO SEE WHICH GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR PROJECT.

I HAVE RECEIVED SOME OF THE LETTERS OF SUPPORT, INCLUDING ONE FROM A NAVY CAPTAIN IN THE ARABIAN SEA. THEY ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED AND THEY ARE EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO HELP CONVINCE THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BUREAU THAT WE ARE DESERVING OF STATE FUNDS. REMEMBER TO SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT, WE ARE PREPARING THE APPLICATION FOR THIS YEARS ROUND OF FUNDING REQUEST AND WE NEED YOUR HELP. WE NEED LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE FLORIDA BUREAU OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION. THE LETTERS THEN NEED TO BE MAILED TO OUR ADDRESS SO THAT THEY CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE LETTERS DIRECTLY TO THE BUREAU AS THE LETTERS MAY NOT JOIN UP WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. THE APPLICATION IS DUE ON 1 JUNE, 2004.

GERRY ( BOATS ) MILLHOLEN IS THE HEAD OF THE FUND RAISING EFFORT AND CAN BE REACHED AT PHONE 407/ 402-0190 AND AT E MAIL: fl1husker@695online.com  OR I CAN BE REACHED AT 800/ 694-7161 AND AT E MAIL: redbarn2@earthlink.net .

DONATION CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO BSA TROOP 544 - PTF 3 FUND AND MAILED TO:

BOY SCOUT TROOP 544
PTF 3 RESTORATION PROJECT
P.O. BOX 740789
ORANGE CITY, FL 32774-0789

SCROUNGE DEPT-

IF ANYONE HAS A LINE ON A GRANT PROGRAM, WE FALL UNDER MUSEUMS, YOUTH PROGRAM AND YOUTH EDUCATION. I NEED PHONE NUMBERS AND CONTACTS AS WELL AS WERE TO LOOK FOR THE REQUIREMENTS.

FOR ANY PARTY WISHING TO DONATE, BOY SCOUT TROOP 544 IS A FLORIDA NON-PROFIT 501 C3 ORGANIZATION, DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. TOOLS – TALK TO HARDWARE STORES, WE NEED BELT SANDERS, COMPOUND POWER MITERS, HEAVY ROUTERS, 4 ½ INCH RIGHT ANGLE GRINDERS, ½ INCH DRILLS AND BITS, A SOURCE FOR FIBERGLASS AND RESIN, AND CLEAR PENETRATING EPOXY SYSTEM (CPES).

ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND CURRENT PHOTOS OF RECENT EFFORTS CAN BE FOUND AT www.ptfnasty.com .

FEEDBACK - PLEASE SEND SUGGESTIONS AND IDEAS TO BOB MCCRAY AT redbarn2@earthlink.net 

SINCERELY, ROBERT MCCRAY, PROJECT MANAGER

BSA TROOP 544, INC
ROBERT MCCRAY
1825 W. FRENCH AVE.
ORANGE CITY, FL 32763
TEL: 800/ 694-7161; FAX: 386/775-1130
redbarn2@earthlink.net 

NEWS LETTER 31 MARCH 2004

PROGRESS -  HE PROGRESS HAS BEEN SLOW AND STEADY, ALL OF THE FIBERGLASS HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BRIDGE, REVEALING THE DARK PATINA OF THE MOHOGANY PLYWOOD. THE BRIDGE STRUCTURE AND PLYWOOD IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DRILL  OLES THAT WERE USED TO MOUNT HARDWARE, 200 PLUS HOLES HAVE BEEN COUNTED. THE DROP EDGE FRONT OF THE CHART ROOM HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REBUILT WITH NEW FRAMING AND SHOULD BE RE-SKINNED SOON WITH NEW MARINE PLYWOOD. DURING THE DIS- ASSEMBLY OF THE BRIDGE, WE FOUND A PIECE OF 2x4 WITH THE NAMES OF  WHAT APPEAR TO BE PHILLIPINE REPAIRMEN AND SRF SUBIC BAY AND 17 CROSSES.

THE WRITING FOUND ON THE 2x4 IS AS FOLLOWS:

TEORILLO RAPEAL JANRARY*
JOE SALINAS 1969
JOE SOLANOS SRF +++++++++
CRISPIN CORPLE SUBIC BAY ++++++++
ZAMBALES

THE 2x4 WILL BE PRESERVED AND MOUNTED IN A SHADOW BOX WITH THE BOTTLE OF SAN MIGUEL BEER, THAT WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE ROOM BILGE. BOTH OF THESE ITEMS WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE BOAT ON COMPETION OF THE PROJECT.

WE HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNERS OF 3 NAPIER DELTIC ENGINES, THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO BE SHIPPED TO DELAND ON APRIL 9th. THE DELTICS WERE REBUILT IN 1999 AND WERE NEVER INSTALLED. BILL MOREO, CHECKED OUT THE ENGINES SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND WE FOUND THEM TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE. WE INTEND TO INSTALL A NEW INTER-COOLER SYSTEM, BLOWERS AND UP DATE THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FROM MECHANICAL TO ELECTRONIC, WHICH SHOULD ELEMINATE A FEW PROBLEMS. THE SOLID LINK TO THE VEE DRIVES WILL BE REPLACED WITH A UNIVERAL JOINT DRIVE SHAFT TO REDUCE THE VIBRATION THAT WAS INDUCED INTO THE DRIVELINE. THE ENGINES WILL HAVE SPEED GOVERNORS SET TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE ENGINES.

THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND AIR START CYLINDERS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ENGINE ROOM AND ARE SETTING ON THE MAIN DECK. THEY WILL BE  LIFTED OFF WHEN THE DELTICS ARE DELIVERED.

LOOKING AHEAD - THE BRIDGE AND THE MAIN DECK WILL RECEIVE A FRESH COAT OF FIBERGLASS AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. THE ENGINE ROOM HATCH WILL BE STRIPPED TO BARE METAL, THEN A NEW LAYER OF ZINC CHROMATE AND O.D. GREEN PAINT WILL BE APPLIED.

THE HUNT FOR THE DECK ORDANCE HAS STARTED, A SINGLE 40mm GUN  WITH MOUNTING RING, .50cal / 81mm MORTAR COMBO, AND TWO 20mm GUNS ARE REQUIRED. THREE TRIPLE LEG 20mm MOUNTS ARE NEEDED.

THE DESIRE IS TO RE-ASSEMBLE THE BOAT IN A NEAR FINISHED APPEARANCE, THIS WILL HELP PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

WE HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN THE WEB SITE, MOST OF THE MATERIAL HAS BEEN PACKAGED AND WE ARE WORKING ON THE URL AND MERCHANDISING.

MONEY TREE - WITH OUR 501C3 STATUS DATING BACK TO OUR INCORPORATION, WE NOW
QUALIFY FOR OUR LOCAL COUNTY GRANT PROGRAM. WORKSHOPS FOR THIS YEARS SUBMITTAL ARE BEING SCHEDULED AND WE SILL BE ATTENDING. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING TO SEE WHICH GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR PROJECT.

I MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS THAT WE WILL BE RE-APPLYING FOR A STATE GRANT FOR THE BOAT, WE NEED LETTERS OF SUPPORT. SEPTEMBER 2003, PTF 3 MOVED FROM POSITION NUMBER 95 TO POSITION 59 ON THE LIST FOR FUNDING BY THE FLORIDA BUREAU OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION. WE ARE PREPARING THE APPLICATION FOR THIS YEARS ROUND OF FUNDING REQUEST AND WE NEED YOUR HELP. WE NEED LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE FLORIDA BUREAU OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION. THE LETTERS THEN NEED TO BE MAILED TO OUR ADDRESS SO THAT THEY CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE LETTERS DIRECTLY TO THE BUREAU AS THE LETTERS MAY NOT JOIN UP WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. THE APPLICATION IS DUE IN MAY 2004. I HAVE RECEIVED A FEW LETTERS BUT WE NEED MORE, WE NEED THE LETTERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

  GERRY ( BOATS ) MILLHOLEN IS THE HEAD OF THE FUND RAISING EFFORT AND CAN BE REACHED AT PHONE 407/ 402-0190 AND AT E MAIL: fl1husker@695online.com OR I CAN BE REACHED AT 800/ 694-7161 AND AT E MAIL: redbarn2@earthlink.net .

DONATION CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO: 
     BSA TROOP 544 - PTF 3 FUND

AND MAILED TO :
     BOY SCOUT TROOP 544
     PTF 3 RESTORATION PROJECT
     P.O. BOX 740789
     ORANGE CITY, FL 32774-0789

SCROUNGE DEPT- IF ANYONE HAS A LINE ON A GRANT PROGRAM, WE FALL UNDER MUSEUMS, YOUTH PROGRAM AND YOUTH EDUCATION. I NEED PHONE NUMBERS AND CONTACTS AS WELL AS WERE TO LOOK FOR THE REQUIREMENTS.

FOR ANY PARTY WISHING TO DONATE, BOY SCOUT TROOP 544 IS A FLORIDA NON-PROFIT 501 C3 ORGANIZATION, DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

TOOLS – TALK TO HARDWARE STORES, WE NEED BELT SANDERS, COMPOUND POWER
MITERS, HEAVY ROUTERS, 4 ½ INCH RIGHT ANGLE GRINDERS, ½ INCH DRILLS AND
BITS, A SOURCE FOR FIBERGLASS AND RESIN, AND CLEAR PENETRATING EPOXY
(CPES).

ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND CURRENT PHOTOS OF RECENT EFFORTS
CAN BE FOUND AT www.ptfnasty.com .

FEEDBACK - PLEASE SEND SUGGESTIONS AND IDEAS TO BOB MCCRAY AT redbarn2@earthlink.net

SINCERELY,
ROBERT MCCRAY
PROJECT MANAGER

BSA TROOP 544, INC; ROBERT MCCRAY; 1825 W. FRENCH AVE.; ORANGE CITY, FL 32763; TEL: 800/ 694-7161; FAX: 386/775-1130; redbarn2@earthlink.net

NEWSLETTER 29 FEBRUARY 2004

PROGRESS - NOW THAT MOST OF THE HARDWARE IS OUT OF THE BOAT, WE ARE ALMOST READY TO START THE FUN PART, SCRUBBING DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE BOAT AND CLEANING THE REST OF THE BILGE. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISASSEMBLED AND IS READY LIFT OUT, THE AIR START CYLINDERS WILL BE REMOVED AT THE SAME TIME. WE RECEIVED ANOTHER DONATION OF EQUIPMENT FROM THE M/V SEACALL AT BRADFORD MARINE IN FT. LAUDERDALE. THIS CONSISTED OF AIR HANDLERS, REFRIGERATION COMPRESSORS, DOPPLER RADAR AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE, ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND PLUMBING MATERIAL. AS WITH THE EQUIPMENT PREVIOUSLY DONATED, MOST DATES AFTER 1991 AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THIS ROUNDS OUT MOST OF THE NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT, NOW WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR REPLACEMENTS FOR OUR AUXILIARY ENGINES, 4 CYLINDER PERKINS DIESELS WITH GENERATORS, 2 EACH.

THE MOTORCYCLE RUN FESTIVITIES WENT OFF LIKE CLOCK WORK, COMPLETE WITH A DIAMOND PATTERN FLY OVER BY THE CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE. ONLY ONE PROBLEM, WE DID NOT HAVE THE DESIRED TURNOUT BY RIDERS. EVEN WITH ¼ PAGE COLOR ADs IN TWO MAJOR BIKE MAGAZINES AND GOOD AD COVERAGE OF THE AREA. WE HAD A POOR SHOWING, MOSTLY ATTRIBUTED TO THE EARLY START TIME, SOME GROUPS SHOWED UP TO START 2-3 HOURS LATE AND WENT STRAIGHT TO OB’s 1750 INSTEAD OF THE BOAT. WE WILL TRY AGAIN AT BIKETOBER FEST IN OCTOBER, THESE THINGS DO HAPPEN, WE WILL HAVE MORE TIME TO TALK UP THE EVENT.

WE HAVE RECEIVED OUR CONFIRMATION IN WRITING FROM THE IRS THAT WE ARE A 501 C3 ORGANIZATION, WE ARE NOW ABLE TO PURSUE GRANTS AND MATERIAL THAT WE WERE UNABLE TO ACCESS PREVIOUSLY.

LOOKING AHEAD - SINCE MOST OF THE WORK HAS BEEN OUT OF SIGHT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE OLD GIRL IS A LITTLE SCRUFFY. WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THE BOAT A COAT OF LATEX PAINT, TO GIVE HER A FRESH APPEARANCE. THE OLIVE DRAB LATEX WILL BE EASY TO REMOVE AS WORK MOVES AROUND THE HULL.

MONEY TREE -  I MENTIONED IN THE LAST NEWSLETTER THAT WE WILL BE RE-APPLYING FOR A STATE GRANT FOR THE BOAT, WE NEED LETTERS OF SUPPORT. SEPTEMBER 2003, PTF 3 MOVED FROM POSITION NUMBER 95 TO POSITION 59 ON THE LIST FOR FUNDING BY THE FLORIDA BUREAU OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION. WE ARE PREPARING THE APPLICATION FOR THIS YEARS ROUND OF FUNDING REQUEST AND WE NEED YOUR HELP. WE NEED LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE FLORIDA BUREAU OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION. THE LETTERS THEN NEED TO BE MAILED TO OUR ADDRESS SO THAT THEY CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE LETTERS DIRECTLY TO THE BUREAU AS THE LETTERS MAY NOT JOIN UP WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. THE APPLICATION IS DUE IN MAY 2004. WE NEED THE LETTERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

  GERRY ( BOATS ) MILLHOLEN IS THE HEAD OF THE FUND RAISING EFFORT AND CAN BE REACHED AT PHONE 407/ 402-0190 AND AT E MAIL: fl1husker@695online.com OR I CAN BE REACHED AT 800/ 694-7161 AND AT E MAIL: redbarn2@earthlink.net .

DONATION CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO:  BSA TROOP 544 - PTF 3 FUND

AND MAILED TO :
 
BOY SCOUT TROOP 544
PTF 3 RESTORATION PROJECT
P.O. BOX 740789
ORANGE CITY, FL 32774-0789

SCROUNGE DEPT- FOR ANY PARTY WISHING TO DONATE, BOY SCOUT TROOP 544 IS A FLORIDA NON-PROFIT 501 C3 ORGANIZATION, DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. TOOLS - ANYONE WHO WANTS TO LOAN OR GIVE, WE WILL BE ASKING TOOL COMPANIES AND HARDWARE STORES TO DONATE AND DISCOUNT ITEMS THAT WE WILL NEED. ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND CURRENT PHOTOS OF RECENT EFFORTS CAN BE FOUND AT www.ptfnasty.com.

FEEDBACK - PLEASE SEND SUGGESTIONS AND IDEAS TO BOB MCCRAY AT redbarn2@earthlink.net

SINCERELY, ROBERT MCCRAY PROJECT MANAGER

BSA TROOP 544, INC; ROBERT MCCRAY; 1825 W. FRENCH AVE.; ORANGE CITY, FL 32763; TEL: 800/ 694-7161; FAX: 386/775-1130; redbarn2@earthlink.net

NEWS LETTER 30 DECEMBER 2003

PROGRESS - WORK ON THE BOAT IS MOVINGNEWS LETTER 31 MARCH 2004 PROGRESS THE PROGRESS HAS BEEN SLOW AND STEADY, ALL OF THE FIBERGLASS HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BRIDGE, REVEALING THE DARK PATINA OF THE MOHOGANY PLYWOOD. THE BRIDGE STRUCTURE AND PLYWOOD IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DRILL HOLES THAT WERE USED TO MOUNT HARDWARE, 200 PLUS HOLES HAVE BEEN COUNTED. THE DROP EDGE FRONT OF THE CHART ROOM HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REBUILT WITH NEW FRAMING AND SHOULD BE RE-SKINNED SOON WITH NEW MARINE PLYWOOD. DURING THE DIS- ASSEMBLY OF THE BRIDGE, WE FOUND A PIECE OF 2x4 WITH THE NAMES OF WHAT APPEAR TO BE PHILLIPINE REPAIRMEN AND SRF SUBIC BAY AND 17 CROSSES. THE WRITING FOUND ON THE 2x4 IS AS FOLLOWS: TEORILLO RAPEAL JANRARY* JOE SALINAS 1969 JOE SOLANOS SRF +++++++++ CRISPIN CORPLE SUBIC BAY ++++++++ ZAMBALES THE 2x4 WILL BE PRESERVED AND MOUNTED IN A SHADOW BOX WITH THE BOTTLE OF SAN MIGUEL BEER, THAT WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE ROOM BILGE. BOTH OF THESE ITEMS WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE BOAT ON COMPETION OF THE PROJECT. WE HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNERS OF 3 NAPIER DELTIC ENGINES, THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO BE SHIPPED TO DELAND ON APRIL 9th. THE DELTICS WERE REBUILT IN 1999 AND WERE NEVER INSTALLED. BILL MOREO, CHECKED OUT THE ENGINES SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND WE FOUND THEM TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE. WE INTEND TO INSTALL A NEW INTER-COOLER SYSTEM, BLOWERS AND UP DATE THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FROM MECHANICAL TO ELECTRONIC, WHICH SHOULD ELEMINATE A FEW PROBLEMS. THE SOLID LINK TO THE VEE DRIVES WILL BE REPLACED WITH A UNIVERAL JOINT DRIVE SHAFT TO REDUCE THE VIBRATION THAT WAS INDUCED INTO THE DRIVELINE. THE ENGINES WILL HAVE SPEED GOVERNORS SET TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE ENGINES. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND AIR START CYLINDERS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ENGINE ROOM AND ARE SETTING ON THE MAIN DECK. THEY WILL BE LIFTED OFF WHEN THE DELTICS ARE DELIVERED. LOOKING AHEAD THE BRIDGE AND THE MAIN DECK WILL RECEIVE A FRESH COAT OF FIBERGLASS AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. THE ENGINE ROOM HATCH WILL BE STRIPPED TO BARE METAL, THEN A NEW LAYER OF ZINC CHROMATE AND O.D. GREEN PAINT WILL BE APPLIED. THE HUNT FOR THE DECK ORDANCE HAS STARTED, A SINGLE 40mm GUN WITH MOUNTING RING, .50cal / 81mm MORTAR COMBO, AND TWO 20mm GUNS ARE REQUIRED. THREE TRIPLE LEG 20mm MOUNTS ARE NEEDED. THE DESIRE IS TO RE-ASSEMBLE THE BOAT IN A NEAR FINISHED APPEARANCE, THIS WILL HELP PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT. WE HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN THE WEB SITE, MOST OF THE MATERIAL HAS BEEN PACKAGED AND WE ARE WORKING ON THE URL AND MERCHANDISING. MONEY TREE WITH OUR 501C3 STATUS DATING BACK TO OUR INCORPORATION, WE NOW QUALIFY FOR OUR LOCAL COUNTY GRANT PROGRAM. WORKSHOPS FOR THIS YEARS SUBMITTAL ARE BEING SCHEDULED AND WE SILL BE ATTENDING. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING TO SEE WHICH GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR PROJECT. I MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS THAT WE WILL BE RE-APPLYING FOR A STATE GRANT FOR THE BOAT, WE NEED LETTERS OF SUPPORT. SEPTEMBER 2003, PTF 3 MOVED FROM POSITION NUMBER 95 TO POSITION 59 ON THE LIST FOR FUNDING BY THE FLORIDA BUREAU OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION. WE ARE PREPARING THE APPLICATION FOR THIS YEARS ROUND OF FUNDING REQUEST AND WE NEED YOUR HELP. WE NEED LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE FLORIDA BUREAU OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION. THE LETTERS THEN NEED TO BE MAILED TO OUR ADDRESS SO THAT THEY CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE LETTERS DIRECTLY TO THE BUREAU AS THE LETTERS MAY NOT JOIN UP WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. THE APPLICATION IS DUE IN MAY 2004. I HAVE RECEIVED A FEW LETTERS BUT WE NEED MORE, WE NEED THE LETTERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ADDRESS LETTER TO: SEND LETTER TO: DIRECTOR BOY SCOUT TROOP 544 DIVISION OF HISTORIC RESOURCES PTF 3 RESTORATION PROJECT C/0 BUREAU OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION P.O. BOX 740789 GRANTS AND EDUCATION SECTION ORANGE CITY, FL 32774-0789 500 SOUTH BRONOUGH STREET TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0250 ATTN: WALTER MARDER GERRY ( BOATS ) MILLHOLEN IS THE HEAD OF THE FUND RAISING EFFORT AND CAN BE REACHED AT PHONE 407/ 402-0190 AND AT E MAIL: fl1husker@695online.com OR I CAN BE REACHED AT 800/ 694-7161 AND AT E MAIL: redbarn2@earthlink.net . DONATION CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO BSA TROOP 544 - PTF 3 FUND AND MAILED TO BOY SCOUT TROOP 544 PTF 3 RESTORATION PROJECT P.O. BOX 740789 ORANGE CITY, FL 32774-0789 SCROUNGE DEPT- IF ANYONE HAS A LINE ON A GRANT PROGRAM, WE FALL UNDER MUSEUMS, YOUTH PROGRAM AND YOUTH EDUCATION. I NEED PHONE NUMBERS AND CONTACTS AS WELL AS WERE TO LOOK FOR THE REQUIREMENTS. FOR ANY PARTY WISHING TO DONATE, BOY SCOUT TROOP 544 IS A FLORIDA NON-PROFIT 501 C3 ORGANIZATION, DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTABLE. TOOLS – TALK TO HARDWARE STORES, WE NEED BELT SANDERS, COMPOUND POWER MITERS, HEAVY ROUTERS, 4 ½ INCH RIGHT ANGLE GRINDERS, ½ INCH DRILLS AND BITS, A SOURCE FOR FIBERGLASS AND RESIN, AND CLEAR PENETRATING EPOXY (CPES). ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND CURRENT PHOTOS OF RECENT EFFORTS CAN BE FOUND AT www.ptfnasty.com. FEEDBACK - PLEASE SEND SUGGESTIONS AND IDEAS TO BOB MCCRAY AT redbarn2@earthlink.net SINCERELY, ROBERT MCCRAY PROJECT MANAGER BSA TROOP 544, INC; ROBERT MCCRAY; 1825 W. FRENCH AVE.; ORANGE CITY, FL 32763; TEL: 800/ 694-7161; FAX: 386/775-1130; redbarn2@earthlink.net AHEAD SLOW AND STEADY MUCH OF DECEMBER HAS BEEN SPENT WORKING ON THE BRIDGE, ENGINE ROOM AND DISMANTLING THE OFFICERS QUARTERS FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE FRESH WATER TANKS. DUE TO THE ERODED CONDITION OF THE HEAT EXCHANGERS IN THE ENGINE ROOM BILGE, THEY WILL NOT BE SALVAGED, SO IT WAS SAW-ALL TIME AND THEY WERE CUT UP AND JETTISONED OVER THE SIDE. THE BILGE MUCK TURNED OUT TO BE MOSTLY SAND AND SILT. THE
AUXILIARY ENGINES AND VEE DRIVES HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ROOM AND ARE READY TO BE LIFTED OUT. THE WOOD INNER PLANKING BELOW THE WATER LINE LOOK GOOD AND SOLID, ESPECIALLY IN THE ENGINE ROOM.

PRIMARY FOCUS HAS BEEN ON THE BRIDGE, WE ARE WORKING TO RESTORE THIS FIRST, IT IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. AS SOON AS THE REPAIR WORK IS COMPLETED, WE WILL RECOVER THE BRIDGE IN FIBERGLASS AND PAINT. THE BRIDGE WILL BE REMOUNTED ON THE BOAT TO RESTORE THE APPEARANCE AND TO SHOW PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.

MARK TONDEL SENT US A COPY OF A COLOR 8MM FILM ON VHS TAPE FEATURING PTF 3 AS MARK AND THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONING CREW TOOK THE BOAT TO DANANG. DR. HARRY PRICE WHO OWNS DIAMOND PRODUCTIONS IS INCORPORATING THIS VIDEO INTO A PRODUCTION VIDEO OF THE PTF 3 RESTORATION. WE WILL MAKE IT AVAILABLE AS SOON AS IT IS COMPLETED.

WE HAVE FOUND THAT SEVERAL ALTERATIONS WERE MADE TO THE BRIDGE, THE HELM ORIGINALLY HAD A BRASS ‘SHIPS’ WITH KNUCKLE BUSTER GRIPS. AND THE RADAR REPEATER AT THE HELM WAS ADDED AT A LATER DATE. TWO WINDOWS WERE LOCATED FORWARD OF THE CHART ROOM, ARE NO LONGER PRESENT. THE BLUE PRINTS THAT WE RECEIVED WITH THE 1968 REVISIONS REFLECT THESE CHANGES.

BRYAN ELLERMAN STOPPED BY, HE SERVED ON PTF 3 1968-69 AS AN
ET/RADAR. HE RECOGNIZED HIS OLD RADAR SET AND EXPLAINED THE OPERATION OF THE DECCA SYSTEM. HE SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME HE HAD SEEN THE BOAT IN 35 YEARS, AND THAT IT BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES, HE SAID HE’LL BE BACK IN JUNE.

WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THE CONTENT AND SET UP FOR THE WEBSITE AND WE HOPE TO HAVE THAT DONE IN JANUARY. WE HAVE ADDED TO THE MERCHANDISE WITH AN M-90 FLIGHT JACKET WHICH IS ENHANCED WITH EMBROIDERY WORK THAT IS SUPPLIED BY CREW MEMBER, AL SCHWITZER. THIS AS WELL AS THE OTHER ITEMS WILL BE ON THE WEBSITE FOR SALE.

LOOKING AHEAD - WE ARE IN THE PROGRESS OF PLANNING FUNDRAISERS AND PROMOTIONS FOR CORPORATE AND INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS. WE ARE PLANNING A VETERANS MOTORCYCLE RUN TO THE BOAT DURING DAYTONA BIKE WEEK WITH VENDORS ON SITE. WE ARE SEEKING FUNDING FROM AREA CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES, ANYONE WITH IDEAS OR CONTACTS PLEASE CONTACT US WITH YOUR SUGGESTIONS.

A REMINDER, THAT THE SEA SCOUT CREW IS OPEN TO BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 14 – 20 YEARS. WE WILL BE WORKING WITH OR SETTING UP OUR OWN NAVY SEA CADET PROGRAM IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I CAN BE CONTACTED AT THE ADDRESS LISTED BELOW.

MONEY TREE - GERRY ( BOATS ) MILLHOLEN IS THE HEAD OF THE FUND RAISING EFFORT AND CAN BE REACHED AT PHONE 407/ 402-0190 AND AT E MAIL: fl1husker@695online.com

DONATION CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO BSA TROOP 544 - PTF 3 FUND
AND MAILED TO:

BOY SCOUT TROOP 544, INC
PTF 3 RESTORATION PROJECT
P.O. BOX 740789
ORANGE CITY, FL 32774-0789

SCROUNGE DEPT- FOR ANY PARTY WISHING TO DONATE, BOY SCOUT TROOP 544 IS A FLORIDA NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

TOOLS - ANYONE WHO WANTS TO LOAN OR GIVE, WE WILL BE ASKING TOOL COMPANIES AND HARDWARE STORES TO DONATE AND DISCOUNT ITEMS THAT WE WILL NEED.

ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND CURRENT PHOTOS OF RECENT EFFORTS CAN BE FOUND AT www.ptfnasty.com.

FEEDBACK - PLEASE SEND SUGGESTIONS AND IDEAS TO BOB MCCRAY AT
redbarn2@earthlink.net

SINCERELY, ROBERT MCCRAY - PROJECT MANAGER

BSA TROOP 544, INC; ROBERT MCCRAY; 1825 W. FRENCH AVE.; ORANGE CITY, FL 32763; TEL: 800/ 694-7161; FAX: 386/775-1130; redbarn2@earthlink.net

12-29-03   Hi Dan, It's been sometime since I emailed you. I do however, check the website regularly. I wanted to let you know that I visited Deland Florida and went to see PTF3. I was warmly greeted by Robert McCray and his crew. I have attached some pictures I took, one with me standing at the bow. The guys are working hard and making some real progress. They were cleaning the engine room bilge the day (Saturday, 27 December) I was there, certainly not a job for the faint at heart, what a mess. Robert briefed me on their restoration plans and even asked me a bunch of questions to see if I had any helpful info. But I must confess, the old memory was some what vague. I did remember the old DECCA radar and repeater which I once worked on. Had a great time touring the boat and standing in areas where I stood 35 years ago, some great and not so great memories. I told Robert I would send you the pictures I took and let you know they're working hard. Hope to visit the PTF3 again this coming June. 

Sincerely, Bryan Ellerman

September 28, 2003 - PTF # 3 Periodic Update

Since we have gotten PTF # 3 home to Deland we have had Saturday work parties with several of the leaders and volunteers. Right now we are in and probably will be for quite awhile, the destruction mode, cleaning out the inside of the boat as just about everything in there is deteriorated beyond repair or further use, including all the wiring and electrical boxes.

The auxiliary engines are loose and ready to be removed when we have a crane available, most of the fuel tanks are removed and stored on the main deck until we get a fork lift to set them off, hopefully in the next few days. They are removing the tanks with a modified version of a cherry picker used to remove engines from cars, but it is a 13’ drop to the ground. Once on the ground the tanks are going to have to be cleaned out real good as they have quite a bit of dirt and foreign material in them. At some time or another the stern of the boat has been under water including the auxiliary engines so once they are out we are going to have to see if it is worth the effort to try and rebuild them or scrap them and buy new ones. A lot of the minor stuff has also been removed from the inside.

I was able to obtain a 45’ storage trailer (donated for the duration by the Deland Truck Sales) that has been backed in behind the boat, but so far have been have been unable to find a second one, but still working on it. I have made arrangements with a local electric company to install a temporary power pole, but they haven’t done it yet. I made arrangements for some scaffolding to be delivered over a month ago, ( donated) but that hasn’t showed up yet. I hate to bug people for a freebee but I guess I’m going to have to. Right now we are using long extension cords from the museum and because the fence hadn’t been put up yet we were reluctant to put up any permanent structures around the outside of the boat, so there hasn’t been a whole lot done to the outside yet. BUT, 3 months to the day of the boats arrival they finally got the 6’ fence up this week ( supposed to have been done within the first 3 weeks ) BUT, no gates yet, the fence company ran out of hinges and doesn’t know for sure when they will get some. ( The fence was donated by the City of Deland )

Mother Nature has done her best to detour our efforts several Saturdays. Granted they are working mostly on the inside of the boat, but there are 4 very large openings in the main deck that do very little to protect the people working down below , beside all the tool boxes, trucks open, etc for the rain to get in and Florida is the lighting capital of the United States and it does live up to it’s name. Yesterday we had about eight live lightning rods on the main deck at one time helping to lift the tanks out, but the storm only lasted about 30 minutes and there wasn’t much rain to it, just lightning.

Mr. McCray is still doing battle with the powers to be in Tallahassee to turn loose of the money they promised us 2 years ago. The St. Paul Marine Insurance Co. still hasn’t coughed up any of the money they owe us for their clients damn near scuttling the boat 2 years ago. That is still in litigation.

I haven’t heard anything more about the engines still setting outside and open to the elements in Port everglades. Other than those few little things, everything else is going along smoothly. Please review the pictures below and enjoy them . All were taken between August 15th and September 27th 2003.

Respectfully Jerry

Vietnam gunboat finds home.

07/31/03     ATTENTION ALL HANDS  JUST A REMINDER THAT WE ARE WORKING SATURDAY 2 AUG 2003, BRING TOOLS PUTTY KNIVES AND PAINT SCRAPPERS ORBITAL AND STRAIGHT SANDERS, WORK GLOVES, ETC... CLEAN UP IN ENGINE ROOM AND TANK GALLERY, HEADS WILL NEED TO BE LOOKED AT AND GALLEY.  I'LL BE ON SITE AT 8 AM AND WILL WORK AS LONG AS THE WEATHER HOLDS. BRING YOUR OWN REFRESHMENTS AND SNACKS IT WILL BE HOT AND HUMID.  THE BOAT IS LOCATED AT THE NAVAL AIR STATION MUSEUM, DELAND 910 BISCAYNE BLVD, DELAND ( DELAND AIRPORT ). MY CELL IS 386/ 747-8275  THANKS ROBERT MCCRAY redbarn2@earthlink.net

07/25/03     BE IT EVER SO HUMBLE, THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME PTF # 3 HOME AT LAST After 19 months of just about every feeling from complete happiness to the very epitome of frustration and aggravation and back to the feeling of overwhelming joy PTF 3 is home at last at the Naval Air Museum, Sidney Taylor Field, Deland, Florida and it sure looks good resting there. Our leaders in Tallahassee had absolutely no sense of humor in letting us make the transit from Edgewater to Deland in daylight, therefore we were forced to bring our beloved PTF # 3 home under cover of darkness. The forces to be began massing a little after 0000 Friday the 25th of July 2003 at the gate by Hwy 1 and by 0040 everyone was there including our 3 trusty escorts, compliments of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in patrol cars.  At 0120, 2 of the escorts and myself hit the hwy followed by the third deputy, than 2 service trucks with flashing yellow lights and the boat, all 80 feet long and 24 1/2 feet wide of her, needless to say we took up the entire width of 2 lanes, Hwy 1 is a 4 lane road. Running about 15 mph we made it to Canal St. in New Smyrna Beach( Business Hwy 44) at 0155, where we had to make a left turn and cross the railroad tracks where, I understand, they hit the first snag, a train was coming and they had to back up, then afterward they had a hell of a time getting some lady to back up so the boat could complete the turn without crushing her car. I thought it was taking an awful long time and started back, but then they came into site and we were back on the road again, 4 lane Hwy 44.  Traffic was absolutely nil so me and one of the lead cops beat it for the 7-11 at the intersection of Hwys 44 & 415, got a cup of coffee and waited for the rest of the gang to get there and make the right turn onto Hwy 415, which they did at 0244. Now it could get a little sticky. Hwy 415 is a 2 lane road, all 10 miles to Hwy 92. One of the lead cops went ahead of me and the other lead cop and run the on comers off to the side and the other cop and I ran side by side to see that they stayed there. Wasn’t to bad, most were happy to accommodate us, like the bully on the playground, except one garbage truck driver, I thought for a minute the cop was going to have to shoot him to get his co-operation, but he finally did co-operate.  We arrived at and made the left turn onto Hwy 92 (4 lane hwy) at 0330, the last leg of the trip to the Deland Airport. About half way across Hwy 92 I called Bob McCray, in the boat, and ask where he wanted them to turn into the airport, he told me and I took off for the Handy Way store just before that, got another big cup of coffee and sat at the entrance waiting for them .  We turned into the airport at 0420 and arrived at the museum at 0430. After the mover bulldozed a tree out of the way they positioned the boat. Everybody left by 0530 and came back later and positioned the boat permanently, took the wheels out from under both ends of the trailer and cleaned up the rest of the equipment that had been used.  God willing the boat will be restored to it’s original glory and put back on the St. Johns River as a floating and working museum and Sea Scout training vessel, to be enjoyed by all for a long, long time.  Thank you Robert McCray and your staff of assistants and volunteers for making this all possible.  See the pictures below that I took on Wednesday July 23rd, getting the boat ready to move the next night and Friday the 25th at the Deland Naval Air Museum. I tried a few night pictures but none of them came out. Respectfully Jerry Fifield This picture and next to following shots of boat moved closer to hwy and ready to go. I showed up early to get these pics. Had to leave before boat was moved closer to hwy day before Boat ready to move closer to highway. Not allowed to leave before 0100 7/25/03. Port side shot of added beam. Cross beam added to rear of trailer for more support for bow Loading bridge onto flat bed Preparing to load bridge onto flat bed for transport. Front Dolly w/ tongue secured to trailer. Wed. 7/23/03   Edgewater, Fl. Extending trailer with a cross beam for support. Wed. Jul 23,2003. Edgewater Fl. Getting boat ready to move.  Bob McCray and Jim Vough. Finally caught him doing nothing. These next 4 shots are what all of us have been waiting to see for the last 19 months.   HOME SWEET HOME for PTF # 3

07/25/03     ATTENTION ALL HANDS

THE VIETNAM WAR PT BOAT, PTF 3 WAS MOVED
FROM EDGEWATER, FL TO THE DELAND NAVAL AIR
STATION MUSEUM IN DELAND, FL.. STARTING AT
1:30 AM, THIS MORNING, THE MOVE TOOK 3 HOURS 
TO COVER 43 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE BOAT 
IS RESTING ON A STEEL FRAME, AND IS WELL BRACED.

MORE INFO WILL BE COMING WITH PHOTOS IN THE 
NEXT NEWS LETTER, IN A FEW DAYS.

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP

ROBERT MCCRAY

07/24/03     PRESS RELEASE

THE VIETNAM PT BOAT PTF 3, WILL BE MOVED TONIGHT
AT 1 AM FRIDAY, 25 JULY 03. THE BOAT WILL BE TRANSPORTED
BY YOUNGBLOOD MOVERS FROM THE 4015 U.S. HWY 1 
EDGEWATER, FL ( NEXT TO BOSTON WHALER MFG. ) LOCATION 

NORTH ON U.S. HWY 1 TO HWY 44,
WEST ON HWY 44 TO S.R. 415 ( TAMOKA FARMS RD. )
NORTH ON S.R. 415 TO U.S. HWY 92 ( SPEEDWAY BLVD )
WEST ON HWY 92 TO THE DELAND AIRPORT
THE BOAT WILL BE PARKED AT 910 BISCAYNE BLVD AT
THE DELAND AIRPORT, DELAND, FL.

THE TRIP IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 3-4 HOURS

A MEETING FOR ALL INTERESTED IN THE BOAT WILL BE
AT 9 AM SATURDAY MORNING, 26 

ROBERT MCCRAY

07/23/03     ATTENTION ALL HANDS

OK BOYS AND GIRLS, WE HAVE RECEIVED A VERBAL OK
TO MOVE THE BOAT, AT 1 AM FRIDAY MORNING 25 JULY 03,
LOVELY TIME AND SHORT NOTICE. THE FLORIDA DOT
WON'T LET US MOVE ON THE WEEKEND. THE IMPORTANT
THING IS, THAT WE ARE MOVING THE BOAT.

WE ARE SUPPOSE TO RECEIVE THE HARD COPY TOMORROW
MORNING. AS SOON AS I RECEIVE IT, I WILL CONTACT ALL WITH
THE OFFICIAL NEWS.

TODAY THE BOAT WAS MADE READY AND MOVED TO THE
FRONT OF THE PROPERTY NEXT TO U.S. HWY 1. THE BRIDGE
AND ENGINE ROOM HATCH WERE MOVED TO THE NAVAL AIR
STATION DELAND AND ARE SITTING ON A FLAT BED TRAILER.

THANKS, I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED.


ROBERT MCCRAY

07/22/03     ATTENTION ALL HANDS

NEW UPDATE.

WE ARE GOING OVER TO THE BOAT TOMORROW TO
READY THE BOAT TO MOVE. THE MOVER, TOM YOUNGBLOOD
WILL PLACE THE FRONT ROAD WHEELS UNDER THE 
TRAILER AND MOVE THE BOAT AWAY FROM THE RIVER 
AND CLOSER TO U.S. HWY 1. THIS WAY THE BOAT WILL
ROLL AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY, THE BRIDGE WILL
BE PLACED ON THE FLAT BED AND MAY HEAD OVER
TO THE DELAND NAVAL AIR MUSEUM TOMORROW.


ROBERT MCCRAY

07/13/03     ATTENTION ALL HANDS

I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE BOAT MOVER,
TOM YOUNGBLOOD, AND HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
MOVE THE BOAT ON 16 JULY 03, AS PLANNED. CONTRACT
OBLIGATIONS HAVE GOTTEN IN THE WAY. HE
HAS SCHEDULED FOR 9 AM ON WEDNESDAY 23 JULY 03,
TO MOVE THE BOAT, THE BRIDGE MAY BE MOVED
THE DAY BEFORE TO CUT DOWN ON THE NUMBER
OF TRUCKS.

SORRY FOR AN INCONVENIENCE

ROBERT MCCRAY
redbarn2@earthlink.net

NEWS LETTER - 27 JUNE 2003 

THIS IS THE FIRST OF A MONTHLY NEWS LETTER THAT WILL KEEP ALL APPRAISED OF THE PROGRESS OF THE RESTORATION OF THE VIETNAM WAR PT BOAT, PATROL TORPEDO FAST 3. ONE OF THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, HAS BEEN IDENTIFICATION OF THE BOATS ORIGINAL NAME ‘ FAST AND NASTY ‘ AND A PHOTO OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN UNIFORM PATCH, PROVIDED BY PTF 3 CREWMAN TOM HUSTON. ADDITIONAL FORMER CREW HAVE BEEN MAKING CONTACT AND PROVIDING INVALUABLE INFORMATION, BILL MOREO OF DAVENPORT, FL, AND MARK TONDEL OF LEE, MA. ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND CURRENT PHOTOS OF RECENT EFFORTS CAN BE FOUND AT www.ptfnasty.com. 

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 7 PM, THURSDAY 10 JULY 2003, AT THE DELAND NAVAL AIR STATION MUSEUM 910 BISCAYNE BLVD, DELAND, FL. OPEN TO ALL, THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING IS FOR INTRODUCTIONS, INITIAL GOALS AND SET THE TONE OF THE RESTORATION. 

PROGRESS 

MAY 22 –24, 2003 PTF 3 WAS PUSHED TOWED FROM FT. LAUDERDALE, FL TO EDGEWATER, FL BY MARITIME TRANSPORT TUG OF STUART, FL. THE BOAT WAS DOCKED AT THE FORMER CONSOLIDATED PRE-STRESS CONCRETE CO. NEXT TO BOSTON WHALER MFG. BOSTON WHALER HAS BEEN SUPPLYING SUPPORT FOR THE BOAT IN THE FORM OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND THE USE OF THEIR DOCKS. 

JUNE 7, 2003 PREP FOR HAUL OUT, A WORK PARTY OF NINE SPENT MOST OF SATURDAY CUTTING LOOSE WIRING AND REMOVING BOLTS HOLDING THE BRIDGE TO THE DECK. AMMO READY LOCKERS WERE CUT LOOSE, IN SHORT ALL ITEMS THAT NEEDED TO BE FREED PRIOR TO DISASSEMBLY . 

JUNE 13, 2003 HAUL OUT – STARTING AT 7 AM, BOAT CREW MEMBERS, MAXIM CRANE PERSONNEL AND YOUNGBLOOD HOUSE MOVERS, BEGAN THE PROCESS OF LIFTING THE BOAT FROM THE WATER AND PREPARING IT TO MOVE OVERLAND TO DELAND, FL. FIRST THE AMMO READY LOCKERS WERE LIFTED OFF, THEN THE BRIDGE WAS HOISTED CLEAR OF THE DECK AND SET ON TIMBERS, AND AT NOON THE HULL WAS LIFTED BY TWO CRANES WORKING IN TANDEM ROTATED 90 DEGREES AND SLID BACKWARDS ONTO IT’S TRANSPORT RIG THAT HAD BEEN SITUATED BETWEEN THE TWO CRANES. THE BOAT WILL REMAIN IN THIS POSITION TILL THE MIDDLE OF JULY, WHEN SHE WILL BE MOVED TO THE NAVAL AIR STATION MUSEUM, DELAND, FL. FOR THE TWO YEAR RESTORATION PROJECT.

Friday The 13TH - An Uplifting Day For PTF # 3

Friday June 13th, 2003 at Edgewater, Florida dawned and was followed by a beautiful sunrise that continued to shine on the volunteers and leaders of scout troop 544 all day long.

I arrived there at 0650 AM, Robert McCray and several other volunteers had already arrived and were at work preparing for the lifting of PTF # 3 from the water to the trailer that is to transport her to Deland for the restoration. All were in good spirits and ready for the big day. The first crane, rated at 165 tons was already there and set up at the boat as it had arrived the day before. At 0735 the first crane crew arrived. At 0748 the second crane arrived, rated at 200 tons, (both of these figures were obtained from the crane operators), and began setting up right behind the first and parallel with the boat. At 0750 the first crane with the volunteers assisting on deck, started removing the four ammo boxes. At 0835, with ammo boxes on the ground, attention was turned to removing the bridge. The bridge had to be removed because of the height of the boat on the trailer. The electrical utility companies have no sense of humor when it comes to ripping out their cross highway high tension wires and traffic signals and they charge accordingly to replace them. The bridge was on the ground at 0850. At that we are still at 15'8" so the vent to the engine room will have to be removed also.

Now for the biggy, the event we have all been anticipating, with some concern, mainly because of the horror stories we have been told about previous lifting the boats out of the water, being crushed, cracked in half etc. At 0900 the slings were ready and lowered into the water, forward and aft. They tried walking the slings into position but that wasn't successful, so Mr. McCray had to dawn his wet suit and go for a morning dip in the Intercoastal Waterway and guide the slings into place. We were supposed to have a second diver but he couldn't come at the last minute because of personal business, so Bob had to do it all, which was no easy task because those slings are heavy and he had to keep going back and forth from side to side and the visibility underwater was a foot or less. We did have a John boat in the water with our trusty eagle scout and his sidekick Andy McCray manning the oars to assist Bob if he needed it and to bring him back t9 shore. The stem slings were rigged first, then the bow and by 0935 the first attempt to lift the boat out of the water began. Before the boat completely cleared the water the operator of the second crane determined that the weight on the stern slings was not evenly distributed and at 1045 it was lowered back down in the water to readjust them. This took some time, but we were in no hurray and this was no time to have something go wrong and with the adverse conditions Bob had to work with in the water it was no piece of cake. At 1155 with what appeared that everything was ready once again the cranes started lifting the boat again. When it had cleared the water about a foot, they let it hang there for a couple minutes. When they started lifting it again it was one fluid motion, up and over the sea wall and down onto the trailer. Those two cranes worked as one. At 1215 the boat was setting on the trailer safe and sound and dripping, blocked up. I shouldn't have to remind anyone of us who are or have been on active duty how long and how hard we drilled and practiced daily to get a unit or units working together as a team. Those scout leaders, volunteers and crane personnel worked together as a team like they had been doing it for years, it was beautiful and a credit to all of them. When the boat was about halfway up the seawall, McCray, still out in the water let out a "yahoo" that I was surprised he was capable of because he was pooped and deservedly so. just goes to show you the ole farts can still hack it. The mover told me that it would be 3 weeks before he would be able to get back there to move it because he is so busy. He also gave the route he is going to travel to bring it to Deland. I came back that way and did it in 50 minutes, but I imagine it's going to take the boat 6 to 8 hours to make the journey. Maybe we can have it done by the 4th of July and make a real good second reason to celebrate.

Sincerely, Jerry Fifield

[The following pictures were taken and furnished by Jerry.]

PTF # 3 ALMOST HOME

May 27, 2003 Deland, Florida

FINALLY, after months and months of planning, anticipation, disappointment, aggravation, exasperation, tons of letter writing and other paper work and untold road miles back and forth to Ft Lauderdale, Florida, PTF # 3 made it's journey North on the Intercoastal Waterway to the Boston Whaler Plant and came into view of the cheering crowd of onlookers at 2:35 PM Saturday, May 24, 2003 at Edgewater, Florida off u.s. Hwy # 1, about 40 miles from Deland and about 30 miles south of Daytona Beach with Robert McCray and another adult leader of the scout troop as her crew being pushed by a tug boat. It was really good to finally see her this close to home.

Along with this letter I'm sending several pictures I took of her arrival. Several of the troops scouts, parents and others were there to greet here including the, local NBC TV affiliate station with newsman Ron Kendrick, who interviewed Mr. McCray and was aired that night on the local channel the covers all of central Florida.

Picture 1 - PTF# 3 is passing Lighthouse Point @ 2:15 pm 5/24/03 which is about 3 miles south of the Boston Whaler plant.

Pictures # 2 thru 4- PTF # 3 coming into view and being pushed toward the pier. That is Bob McCray on the bow with the line (not rope) in his hands.

Pictures 5 & 6-- PTF# 3 is moored to the pier. She will remain there for the next 2 to 3 weeks at which time she will be lifted out of the water and placed on the special built trailer that will transport her to Deland. She will remain there at Edgewater on the trailer for another week or so to allow her to drain and dry out somewhat, hopefully losing about 10 to 15 tons of water before being transported to the Naval Air Station Museum at the Deland airport for the restoration, anticipated to take about 2 years.

Sincerely - Jerry Fifield