by Statmk » May 25, 2024, 9:46 am
The propeller shaft was under the cargo hold aft the mid deck house. Looking down "shaft alley" from the engine room at 120 feet or so of propeller shaft was quite the site. That was an original Victory Ship cargo hold. Its nickname was "the barge." It was tender in that any cargo put in the barge took the stern down considerably and raised the bow similarly. Loading it was an art form. Behind that was the original No. 6(?) cargo hold. Its nickname was the "dance hall." The electricity was off in it for fear of fire. The winter cables and other not often used items were stored in there. When bored on Lake Superior, we used to take brooms, base ball bats, flashlights, and iced beer in it, and in the dark, fight the large bat population that made the dance hall home. The bats were in relatively little danger, though some fell in the fight, from sailors drinking beer. Who ever got the most bats got the kitty. In the mid 70's we still ran at a good clip, but not all she had. There was a crack in the reduction gear. Given her reputation, the USCG closely watched her especially in the St. Clair Rivers because shoreline owners would complain about the wake even though then, there was nothing unusual about it. Like an old athlete living on reputation. We would never admit it but the Joseph H. Thompson was faster at that time. Loved that boat.
The propeller shaft was under the cargo hold aft the mid deck house. Looking down "shaft alley" from the engine room at 120 feet or so of propeller shaft was quite the site. That was an original Victory Ship cargo hold. Its nickname was "the barge." It was tender in that any cargo put in the barge took the stern down considerably and raised the bow similarly. Loading it was an art form. Behind that was the original No. 6(?) cargo hold. Its nickname was the "dance hall." The electricity was off in it for fear of fire. The winter cables and other not often used items were stored in there. When bored on Lake Superior, we used to take brooms, base ball bats, flashlights, and iced beer in it, and in the dark, fight the large bat population that made the dance hall home. The bats were in relatively little danger, though some fell in the fight, from sailors drinking beer. Who ever got the most bats got the kitty. In the mid 70's we still ran at a good clip, but not all she had. There was a crack in the reduction gear. Given her reputation, the USCG closely watched her especially in the St. Clair Rivers because shoreline owners would complain about the wake even though then, there was nothing unusual about it. Like an old athlete living on reputation. We would never admit it but the Joseph H. Thompson was faster at that time. Loved that boat.