Veteran’s Day Is Not Just Another Holiday
I wish I knew more about this amazing GarWood
Today we all stand united in our deep appreciation for all our veterans. Our service men and woman that step up and honorably put country first. of course here we also thank all our military boats. I know, seems a little flip on a day like today. But, hey, you feed this beast everyday? You are here for boats, and you are gonna get boats. Boats n GIJoes.. and Janes.
This cool outboard was made for the Correct Craft 100th annaversery exhibit at Lake Dora 2025
Storm boat on display at Dora 2025
Used in combat
very cool story, link at the end of todays story
Not just the folks that fought but also built. A united cause
Any day on the Chesapeake bay is a reminder of it all
These slides from Alan are priceless for a reference. man oh man I want one of these U22’s
Dang
Prop issues?
Chris Craft durring the war. Note the sign out front
More military coolness
Many old landing crafts are still in use…ish today
Built for victory
U.S. Defense
And as promised here is the link to the Correct Craft Storm Boat story HERE
God bless all our US veterans!
Does anyone have information on the details involved in getting the boats from the factory, across the Atlantic, and to the river for the crossing?
Matt did you ever do a story on the sub chasers manufactured in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin in the 70-80’s? They were made of wood and epoxy to hide from submarines. I’m not aware of what happened to them or if they are still in use somewhere. I need to take a ride to the maritime museum to see what they know.
Mr D, I am somewhat familiar with Sturgeon Bay ship building history. You mention more modern shipbuilding contracts (1970s-80s), but I am thinking you are aware that many of these ship builders had been around since the 1800s. During the WWII years, builders tooled up for war time production of Sub Chasers, Patrol Boats, etc. Ship builders were/are Leatham Smith, Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay Shipbuilding, Palmer Johnston, etc. Many of these have merged and resurface under different names. I know that Peterson and Leathem Smith Shipbuilding were involved in building wooden sub chasers, mine sweepers, etc. The history of these companies is very intertwined.
Today Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is involved in repair and refit of the largest lake freighters. While this is their primary business (given they have massive dry docks) they do take on historic projects from time to time. This past summer, the USS Cobia (submarine) was actually towed to Fincantieri for inspection and refurb as it is displayed in-water at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc. This sub is steel, not wood for obvious reasons! But very cool history.
The more “modern” wooden minesweepers (that I think you are referring to) were made in the very early 80s, again by Peterson Builders. If you were ever in Sturgeon Bay during this period, you could get a good look at what every shipbuilder was up to, as the buildings feature massive doors that were always open in the summer months.
According to Google, the last of these wooden Avenger class ships was decommissioned in September 2025. They have been replaced by “Littoral Combat Ships,” again built by Fincantieri. I think most of these were built by Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin.
Freedom isn’t free!
That Army Target Boat sure does look a lot like the Gar Wood boat that was at Clayton. If my memory serves me (good luck with that) the Gar Wood did tow targets for practice.
Here’s to all the veterans, past and present, for their sacrifice to keep us safe, including my father, US Army-WW2 and father-in-law, US Navy-WW2. I would also like to include my son in law, a future veteran, who fly’s a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter for search and rescue for the US Coast Guard.
Thank you to all the veterans and their families, who sacrificed in service to the USA. My dad joined the Air Force at 17 and served 1954-58, becoming a KC-97 tanker crew chief. Still blows my mind, that they put someone who wasn’t even old enough to legally drink, in charge of an aircraft like that. Different times!
Hi Kelly, Thanks for posting a photo of your dad and speaking about his service. Here is a photo of my dad who was the pilot of a B24 Liberator, and serving in WWII. He is one of the few that made it back.
Three years ago, the only B24 still in existence came to Boeing field in Seattle. I got to take my two sons on a 30 minute flight over the Seattle area in honor of my dad! Thank You Veterans and God Bless You!
Looks like he was about 18 years old or younger! Most people today simply have no clue…. Respect to your father, and all the other veterans.
Interesting stuff – thanks for posting, Don.
USS FOX (DLG-33)……..1970-1973. Captain’s Gig and me………………
Cool photo, Steve! Nice looking boat.
Remembering Max Whitleather my Wife’s father who was a combat engineer at the bridge at Remagen when it collapsed taking 28 of his fellow engineers. The combat engineers were trying to save it as had become extremely valuable for allowing Army Divisions quick access to Germany. His Battalion then built pontoon bridges across the Rhine.
Max,
Amazing, but sad, story.
One of the Search and Rescue boats at my USCG Station, Cape Disappointment, mouth of the Columbia River. Now home to the Motor Lifeboat Training School.
Ron,
Those seas are too big for me! A niece’s husband is stationed just down the coast at Tillamook.
Graduated high school in North Kingstown, R. I. 1968 across the bay from the World War II PT boat training center at Melville, R I. Unfortunately, it was closed in 1950, it was on the same island as Newport,RI.
I don’t know if any of you ever “ran the docks” at marinas when you were a kid checking out boats like I did, p imagine doing that at the PT boat training center. Always wanted to interview and document the conversation with PT Boat sailors. I’m sure there’s only a handful left and it would be interesting to find out about their training. During training, a PT boat launched a torpedo that went off course and sank a freighter anchored off the Quonset Point Naval Air Station which is across the bay from Newport. In another incident In 1942, PT-59 launched a torpedo in error, it traveled seven miles and hit the cargo ship USS Capella at Jamestown, R.I. was repaired and returned to service. Capella was beached to stop her from sinking.
Floyd,
Cool stuff to grow up around!
The next Storm Boat build will be at the New Hampshire Boat Museum next summer. Correct Craft has given them permission to build another boat and a AOMCI member has donated an original Evinrude Storm Boat engine.