Yesterday was a flurry of activity. The new generator arrived! Terry Tull and John Hatton made the trip to Paducah, Ky. to pick her up. This model is replacing a generator that was installed by the Greek Navy in 1964. This is the oldest generator on board and needs to be retired. To begin this project, Mitch Ashby, Herb Quick, John Engstrom, Bob Feldhaus, Dan Cinowalt, Terry Tull, John Hatton, Ron Hall, and Mike Spivey all had to use their brains and brawn to muscle the 2 ton generator down to the Weather Deck via skates. Mini tank like rollers that were placed under the corners. These skates swivel for easy turning but make for horrible straight aways. They were able to make it work via truck and crane. They also cut a hole in the Tank Deck to allow access to the Auxiliary Engine Room.
Today they have opened the Weather Deck Cargo Hatch, a large opening that requires a crane to remove large covers that allow access to the Tank Deck. Using the Grove crane they will be able to maneuver out the old generator and carefully lower in the new one which is smaller in size but 75 KW larger.
The marks that the skates made.
This generator will back up our main generator #4 as the primary generator for all electrical functions. Should #4 have quit before we would have lost all functions and been adrift in the river. This is another step to ensuring this ship continues to sail. Thank you to all of you who have been instrumental in this project.
We should also mention that these volunteers were fed for their efforts and that all large work parties like this one are fed and housed on board ship. One more reason to join the USS LST Ship Memorial and start volunteering today. Think of the experience and friendships built during projects like this one!
No comments:
Post a Comment