NEWSLETTER #99 MARCH 2022

The Wreaths Across America event occurred on December 18th with 37 wreaths being placed in the Park. About 50 people were in attendance and, after the ceremony, enjoyed chowder provided by Bob’s Clam Hut and Warren’s Lobster House and cookies and crackers from TRADER Joe’s.

Rory Adams, a volunteer from the UK, arrived during that time and began the much- needed restoration of the portside diesel engine. He made great progress and was able to lay down a coat of red oxide primer to protect the work he did in getting it down to bare metal. He will return in March to put on the standard gray paint and continue to work away at the other parts of the engine in need of work.

Patti and Ops Manager Camden have pretty much torn the museum building apart getting it organized, putting on some coats of fresh paint on the sales floor displays, tossing around ideas for a museum gallery overhaul, preparing the Visitor Center work room for a part-time Development Manager and exploring new types of inventory to be sold. Camden is also getting quotes for carpet replacement in the Visitor Center, parking lot resurfacing (front portion only), and he engaged a plumber to remove the ‘bubbler’ in the Visitor Center as it was not working property and was taking up valuable retail space. Ken Latchaw is also assisting in constructing a work space desk top for the Development Manager who will work in what was Jim Sergeant’s old workroom. Ken Latchaw has finished installing beautiful shelving in the Annex which the Archives Committee has already begun to use.

Patti also reports that there will be a new intern beginning in May for Archives. There also will also be an intern for Education at the same time. UNH is back at it and should have reports soon in the area of possible Visitor Center Expansion (see below) and Virtual Reality Programming.

A little more on the ongoing saga of the “Ghost Ship”. The Ghost Ship is a product of Juliet Marine Systems and is a high speed craft powered by gas turbines. Ghost employs a SWATH design, which stands for Small-Waterplane-Area Twin Hull. It was conceived as a vessel that could provide force protection against the threat of piracy. It’s twin submerged hulls are super-cavitating, which is claimed to significantly reduce water drag. Top speed is 30 knots. Built without government funds, it was offered to the Navy as a test platform. It is capable of carrying thousands of pounds of weapons, including Mk 48 torpedoes. For a time, the Navy slapped a Secret tag on the Ghost. After completing a round of Navy testing, the Ghost has been sitting on dry land owned by the Port of Portsmouth. Several years ago saw the first attempt to have the Ghost displayed on the Park grounds. That attempt was stalled when the Navy claimed they wanted to do more testing. Now that the Port of Portsmouth plans to start renovating the riverside area where the Ghost resides, she will have to be moved - somewhere. A place off Albacore’s port bow has been identified as a potential display point. Perhaps this time, the Ghost will actually make it to the Park.

I regret to report that Plank Owner Robert W. Marschall went on Final Patrol on March 14, 2022. Bob was an ET2 while attached from 1953 to 1955. His obituary can be found at https://seloverfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/1866/Robert-Marschall/obituary.html#tribute-start. The family has been sent an Albacore Condolence Card.

Until next time, shipmate, stay safe and healthy.

Jack Hunter 11 Admiralty Drive, Apt 3 Middletown, RI 02842-6254 (401) 849-7282 “jhunter2007@cox.net”