Drum progress

[Lance Dean]

How's the welding/sandblasting/painting coming along, Tom?

Maybe Emily and I can make another trip down there as soon as the weather begins to cool down some, maybe in October again.  I wish Mobile were closer (except during hurricane season) so I could help out on some work.  The Park isn't hiring is it?  LOL

[Tom Bowser]

I really don't understand the attraction to cooler weather, we have had a fairly cool summer so far, hasn't even hit 100 yet.

We are still making good progress on the sand blasting and painting on the super structure. We are now about 30' from the bow. after we finish the gray on this side we will drop down and work on the hull
Tom Bowser

[Mark Sarsfield]

She's looking good.

[Lance Dean]

Tom, how goes the Drum since last month's update?

[Tom Bowser]

We haven't done much more due to hurricanes in a row messing up our weather. The hurricanes didn't cause much problems here other than closing the park for a couple of days because the roads coming in were flooded and many days of rain. We are almost finished with the starboard superstructure, two good days next week will do it. We got a man lift donated for three days last week and were able to get the front of the bow where we can't hang our scaffold so that was a big help.
Tom Bowser

[Mark Sarsfield]

Glad to hear that everything is okay. 

[Tom Bowser]

Hey everyone, latest news on the Drum

We have finished the starboard super structure and have moved down to the hull, I was getting tired of gray paint also. I made a hoist to make it easier to move the scaffold. It is on rollars, hangs from the rails and we use to block and takles (WWII vintage) to raise and lower. I am hoping to get a couple of small electric hoists for Christmas or the use of a man lift next year. We did get the use of one for three days and it was a big help but almost spoiled Lesley. The movie people will be back first of Janruary to finsh filming which is good, they will be done before the weather improves and we won't lose any time next year.

We are still accepting donations.
Tom

[Tom Bowser]

We have had to give up on sand blasting for the year due to the cooler weather causing fog and dew in the mornings. By the time it drys off the visitors are already coming in and we can't sand blast with them walking around. we moved into the stern last week and have started rebuilding it. Talk about fun. I am using the photos of the Batfish stern to try and figure out what it looked like and going by what little remains in the stern. I taught Lesley how to use the torch and she cuts the metal for me while I weld it in. There isn't room for both of us in the stern.
Tom

[Darrin]

Here Tom, these might help you a little..
Pics of Torsk's stern at time of decom in '68 and in drydock in '87:

good luck shipmate,

Darrin

[Fred Tannenbaum]

Awesome pics, Darrin! Thanks for sharing.

Fred

[Darrin]

The upper pic shows tubes #7&8 with a partial cover over half of the torpedo sutter door area, that is NOT orgional at all and that is from what I understand part of a plate welded on in the shipyards either in '87 or '97 to help seal up the tanks or to strengthen the tanks.

[Darrin]

Here's some of the Pampanito pics from when she was in the drydock a few years ago

[Darrin]

Here's more and I hope that this will help you in your efforts Tom to rebuild her

[Tom Bowser]

Thanks Darrin, the outside will be easy. I am using the Batfish photos for the interior structure and framing and I have enough of the shutter doors left on the port side to use for paterns. I am getting real used to the smell of burnt skin, hair and cotton (shirts).
Tom

[Lance Dean]

PING

Tom, it's cold outside, so what's new with the Drum?  I know you prefer 100 degree weather.  I haven't heard anything out of the movie guys lately either.