17 August 2020

The level of activity aboard seemed almost frantic, as the yard worked to have us ready for our Friday departure.

The bridge level has been repainted pale gray to more closely conform to our 32/3d camouflage pattern. Six painters worked all day, the scaffolding on the stack began to come down, both repaired flagbags were hoisted back aboard, Ed continued his passion for color coding radio antennas, and the cleaning crew started their detail.

The next day on the 18th, the orders of the day were shipyard equipment removal and the continued painting. The stack was finished and the scaffolding broken down and taken ashore. The yard’s pressure washers were taken ashore, the restored liferaft was lifted into position.

19 August, with one working day left before departure, the weather wasn't very cooperative. We had showers most of the day, at a time when every painting minute counts. Our towing plan has been approved by the Coast Guard, and departure is still scheduled for 1030 Friday. 

The rain didn’t hinder the cleaning of the rust streaks along the hull, or the re-installation of the transmitter antenna insulators. Jack restored the original 1944 compartment label tag for the gunfire control hut on the flying bridge.

On the 20th, the shipyard work has been completed, the tow plan approved and the tugs are due to arrive tomorrow morning, Our shipyard adventure is about to end, and a new chapter is about to begin, the trip home. Our Northbound riding crew arrived and we raised the first ever Ensign from the new battle gaff.

The Kelly family of Union Maintenance Corporation donated ribs and hamburgers for the trip home. Their employees did all the painting while we were in the yard.

In Albany, the crew is cleaning up the trailer and deck to be ready for visitors, and threatening to take down more trees. Chuck and Warren installed the interpretation signs, Earl mowed the grass, Super Dave washed down the deck, and Doug cleaned the head.