Berth Shift

[Buggsy]

Hopefully tomorrow or Tuesday the Clamagore will move from her berth for the last 30 years to another pier at Patriot's Point.   Because of use-changes the only way to get her out is to move a section of the pier, which is more complicated than many would understand.  Besides, the Administration wants to put the destroyer Laffey where the Clamagore is now and the Clamagore where the Laffey was before her yard work was done.   Hopefully she will move tomorrow evening on the high tide.  I'll keep you informed.
Here's a picture of the 500 ton crane that is moving the pier section.

[Lance Dean]

Now that's interesting!  Keep us updated on the move!

[Fred Tannenbaum]

Unfortunately, I think the Clam is firmly planted on the bottom and I somehow believe it will be a rerun of the first attempt to move the Intrepid. I hope I'm wrong.

[Buggsy]

You are wrong Fred.  I'm down there regularly and I KNOW it floats when there is enough water depth.
My intent this morning was to add that the moving contractor has had the foresight to place an air compressor on deck and they have hook ups to the ballast tanks so they can keep them full of air.  There may be problems but they seem to be taking great care and caution in moving the boat.

[Buggsy]

Sorry I have no new pics but it was very foggy here all morning and I could hardly see the boat from the vantage point.
On the hi tide this morning they positioned the barge that will winch the Clamagore out of her berth to where tugs can get to her.  Attaching cables and backing down the boat swayed and moved a little bit forward, so she is apparently floating freely on the hi tide.   The plan is to move her on the tide tonight, about 8PM.  I plan to be there but pics are iffy at best.

[Fred Tannenbaum]

Hope you're right, dude ...

[Buggsy]

Well dude, I am right.     She's moved to the bow of the carrier where she'll sit until morning when they can reconfigure and move her around to her berth.
She slid out like she was underway... just slower.  Rose a bit over a little hump but settled back and moved right along.
Funny thing is, there were about a dozen Laffey vets there to see the sub get out of the way but not a single subvet, USSVI member, but me there. Charleston Base is a weird place.
Sorry there are no pics but I had no luck since it was dark and lots of artificial light.  Maybe PP will have some on their site, or facebook.

[Buggsy]

This morning about 8 AM, the old girl is under tow, well out in the harbor.  Proof that she was not stuck in the mud, I hope.

Her new berth, behind the carrier.  Please be advised that no major, or minor pieces broke off, no gapeing holes in her anywhere, occurred during this move which was carried out smoothly and very professionally by Steven's Towing.  They really took great care with the old girl.

[Gil Bohannon]

Thanks for the pix! Glad to see the trip went well.

Gil

[BrokenArrowtiger]

i sa on msn that the USS laffey came home today:) all go okay bringing her back?

[Buggsy]

The Laffey came home just as she left, gracefully and smooth as silk!   But the Clamagore may have had the last say.  They put Laffey where the Clamagore had been and when the tide droped, the Laffey took a sharp list.   Seems the Clamagore left a trench where she'd been and half of the Laffey tried to fill it on the ebb tide!   Sure had folks hopp'n.

[Mark Sarsfield]

Did you get any pics of the Laffey listing?