In search of photos of the TRACEN Alameda training 'tug' circa 1978

[vftb]

56 foot - 'tug'

Comforting to know that I haven't lost all of my marbles 

[BuoyJumper]

Does this look like the 56-foot tug that was at Alameda?

[vftb]

not our first choice for maneuvering - especially backing with the single screw.

One of the many reasons I was in awe of many BM's; old "Shortround" used to dock that thing like parallel parking a Prius.  The boots weren't the only ones that learned anything from our weekly trips; look at my custom title 

You were posting while I was typing Buoy; that's the one 

[vftb]

I'm not sure that that's the one, but looked just like that.

[Jack]

The vessel in question is 1 of 28 such tugs built during the 1930's for approximately $57,398 each. They were 63'6" in length, 19'6" beam and drew 5'5" with a displacement of 69 tons. Diesel powered they could cruise at 11kts. They were designed for inspection purposes of anchorages and vessel boarding. Scheina does not show any listing of were they were stationed or when they were disposed of.

 

[EX-CG-GM]

Found this.....it's from Alameda.  Might have been painted black at one time or another?

[BuoyJumper]

BINGO EX ........ I think you nailed it.  I have looked all over the internet for photos of GI's 56-footer, where'd ya find that one?  Right there with it are the two 31-footers that DC1 Kirk Ehnisz spoke of in his email.  Thanks EX and Jack, I think we solved Cup's mystery and thanks as well to Kirk Ehnisz and Zoomer if you should read this, much appreciated gentlemen.

[EX-CG-GM]

Buoy,

Found that on the Fred's Place photo album.  I searched using the word "Alameda".

[vftb]

  ; during my timeframe she was black with the racing stripe.

[EX-CG-GM]

Probably looked better black.

[vftb]

Hate to say it, but she did 

[vftb]

You can tell the time difference from when I was there, we used to use a 40' boat for the overflow.  Was there when the first 31' showed up (I think).  Remember comparing the "plastic" 31's to the wood hulled 40's; tended to be harder to dock in a cross wind, lighter and a higher profile.  Man, you guys are really exercising my memory; could be full of **** on half this stuff, but for right now, that's my story and I'm sticking to it 

[Cupamud]

Many thanks to all for the help and photos!  

Now, guess what, when I went to boot camp (Jun-Aug 1978), I think the ex-Presidential Yacht Potomac was sitting and looking shabby in a yard right across from us...

....I guess someone rescued her:

http://usspotomac.org/

But that, friends, is a whole 'nother thread. 

[RetET1]

That looks like her, was on her back in 75 for a sea cadet ride.  She had a black hull then and in 76 still.

I boarded the Potomac in LA harbor in 1978, for being anchored in an anchorage where she didn't have permission to be.  Nobody was onboard her that night, we posted a couple of letters from the COTP LA/LB to move the ship in a day or so, on the bridge and a door to a room where it looked liked someone was using.  The following morning, I was also sent to the office of the guy who had the Potomac at that time.  Talk about a dump, had to step over all the drunks to find out that the office info we had for him didn't exist.

Guy showed up a couple of days later, pissed that the Coast Guard had been on his ship, how dare we tell him to move it, etc, etc.  The Ensign that was in charge of this problem, asked him if he wanted to be tossed in jail till we had time to deal with it.  He calmed down.  Not sure what happened after that, I was transferred to Cleveland after that.

We also had the pink sub in LA harbor at the same time.

[Zoomer]

If ya ever get to the Bay Area, the Potomac is located at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA.  They have a lousy web site as it doesn't tell ya a whole hell of alot.  But they do have outings on the bay and is available for charter.  They have weddings onboard and all kinds of catered events.  If ya visit, don't forget to go right next door and visit the Relief Lightship, operated by the U S Lighthouse Society (uslhs.org).  It does NOT get underway but you can tour.  All is open aboard the Releif, except B-1 engine room.  Tours are FREE, but, of course you can make a donation at the end of the tour.  I do docent duty at least once a month aboard the Relief.

I remember seeing the Potomac in parts and pieces when getting off the freeway to go to Coast Guard Island.  It looks beautiful now!