NEWSLETTER # 95 JULY 2021

  USS ALBACORE (AGSS 569)

NEWSLETTER #95

July 2021

Shipmate,

There is good news and more good news to report. Albacore Park is back up and running after a multi-month shutdown period due to the COVID virus. Initially opened for weekends only in May, full seven day opening started in June. While June visitation numbers for 2021 were lower than those for June 2019 (down by 3,656), the overall income was up by $6,179. This increase was due to sales in gift shop.  There still remains a significant deficit in income due to the extended shutdown period during 2019. Visitation numbers continue to rise in July and the outlook is promising.

All staff members have been vaccinated for the COVID virus. The Board of Directors made the decision to require vaccinations to protect the staff as well as the visiting public. Protocols for visitors are being updated based on the latest guidance from the CDC and local authorities. Currently, visitors are required to be masked if not vaccinated (or are under 12 years old) and must observe social distancing. Additional protocols being observed before being allowed to enter the submarine are: You must be able to lift each leg at least 17-inches to pass through a hatch; no one with a wheelchair or walker will be admitted; children under two are not allow onboard; anyone with large bodies (big enough to present a problem passing through a hatch) are not permitted. To date, none of these protocols have caused a problem with our visitors.

Shipmate (and PSMA Board member) Ken Latchkaw fashioned the new sign that stands outside the entry to the Memorial Garden. Ken is also working with Maintenance Manager Jim Wakefield in preparing the museum building to house the recently donated Type 8b periscope.  Preparations include adding additional shoring under the museum deck below the place where the supporting pedestal will be mounted; relocation of an a/c vent and cutting a hole in the museum ceiling where the ‘scope will penetrate; and building/ installing an upper bearing where the ‘scope penetrates the roof. At this writing, the ‘scope is expected at any time.  All that will be needed is a crane to set the ‘scope in place.

Navy History Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 18th. Executive Director Patti Violette is reaching out to various groups to participate. The shipyard will participate with a series of about thirty different demonstrations - like welding - during the day. The Northeast Navy Band (from Newport, RI) have been invited to send a group for the day. 

A big question is what is happening with the museum expansion project. The simple answer is that it continues after taking a COVID hit during the past year. Efforts continue to mount a fund raising program which is key to any growth effort. 

Money continues to be set aside for the hull preservation project. PSMA has about $260K set aside of the estimated $750K cost. Why so costly? Consider that the boat has to be paint free down to bare metal. Then add in the environmental requirements (all paint/metal particles must be trapped, contained and properly disposed) which entails erecting a tent over the entire boat and basin floor and the costs quickly mount up. Efforts continue to engage a company (bridge painters?) to do the work at hopefully a lesser cost than quoted.

Patti has put together and taught several successful “camps” for school age children. Teaching and showing youngsters how the Navy has communicated over the years using Morse Code and Semaphore flags was a big hit. A PSMA Educational Sub-Committee has been formed to look into, among other areas, the possibility of expanding into the realm of Virtual Reality. With classroom space critical, VR would be an ideal fit for what there is currently available. Glyn Blanks, a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts who came on board as a volunteer earlier in the year, is working with the group to incorporate the results of a UNH capstone education project and launch their recommendations.

Again this year, the Park has hired an intern, Kelly Jaster, who is working with former Board member Dick Wilder to continue the archival efforts. The logging of books is nearing completion. The archives have received a large donation of memorabilia from Russ Van Billiard, PSMA Board member emeritus and longtime shipyard employee.

Shipmate Alan Hooker’s new email is Rascal2042x@outlook.com. Richard Higgins has relocated and can be found at 11850 E. Casa Colina Court., Cornville, AZ 86325. His phone remains unchanged at (619) 871- 3425 as does his email dickhiggins11@gmail.com. Robert Roshak has relocated to 107 St. Christopher Drive, Gibsonville, NC 27249. His email is robert.roshak@gmail.com. Charles Wade has a new phone of (662)-255-4495.

Until next time, shipmate, stay safe and stay healthy. 

Jack Hunter

11 Admiralty Drive, Apt 3

Middletown, RI 02842-6254

(401) 849-7282

“jhunter2007@cox.ne”