LST-325 Memorial underway in New Orleans heading for Port Arthur, Texas and dry dock work
LST-325 sailed into Mobile Bay on January 10, 2001 to the
cheers of crowds that had gathered to welcome them home.
This wasn’t the usual arrival; the ship had been purchased
in Greece and was brought back to the states by a crew of men who had
originally served on LST’s, many in their 70’s and 80’s at the time of the trip home from Greece.
The ship sat in dry dock at Hooks Landing in Chickasaqbogue
Creek off the Mobile River before setting off for its home port of Evansville,
Ind.
I was lucky enough to have climbed aboard while it was in
dry dock and saw what sort of work would be necessary for this floating
Memorial to be refurbished and brought back to its fighting glory.
When I was aboard, the paint was thick and peeling and the
decks needed work. In some places the deck would need replacement.
LST-325 is again on the move, as of Saturday the ship had
made New Orleans and passed by the m/v Christy. My brother Captain Charles
Galer of the Christy sent photographs of the World War II vessel as it passed
by his tow boat.
The LST is on its way
to Port Arthur, Texas for some maintenance work and will be dry docked. The ship
will return to home port Evansville, Indiana near the end of February to begin the visiting
season.
This floating memorial is funded and staffed by volunteers.
Donations and more information about the ship can be found at
www.lstmemorial.org.
LST-325 Memorial on the way to Port Arthur, Texas for maintenance work as seen from the pilot house of m/v Christy
Labels: Evansville, Greece, Indiana, LST-325, LST-325 Memorial
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