Return
of the LST-325
Articles
about
the ship
posted
before
Feb.
2001
- For
articles
after
this
date
visit
lstmemorial.org
By
United
States
LST Association |
December 18, 2000
Information on the
325 message board.
The Scuttlebutt was
mailed today. We are
hoping to hear a date
of arrival very soon.
I'm sure some of you
want to be there when
they arrive. I will
post it as soon as
it becomes available.
The city of Mobile
is planning a big welcome.
I am going to guess
it will be between
Jan 5 and 8th. That
is not for sure. Only
a guess.
Thanks, Linda
Nothing
new today so far. Will
update
as soon as we hear.
They are making about
200 miles a day. Last
report they were about
600 miles west of Gibraltar.
Thanks for your patience.
Couple
of new things check
out the 325 page.
Thanks.
The ship has
sailed. Look at the
message
board. Sailed at 12:55
est time. The Scuttlebutt
will be mailed on Monday
Dec 18, 2000 all information
for the Convention
is in this paper. We
have had many people
pick up on the story
of the LST-325. Thanks
for the support.
Linda
December 5, 2000
Please
check a web page called
http://www.xmission.com/~jcander/lst325
it has some beautiful
pictures of the LST-325.
He was aboard and has
returned home. They
are very much appreciated.
The wives and families
sure are interested
in anything they can
get. Thanks Linda Thanks
goes to James Anderson
for the website and
photos.
Also a big thank
you from our United
States
LST Association and
the crew of the USS
LST SHIP MEMORIAL --
LST-325 to BP Oil Company
for their donation
of fuel to return the
LST-325 back home.
More information to
follow. Also to Phillips
Petroleum for their
$20,000.00 dollar donation
to help with other
maintenance of the
vessel.
December 31,
2000 18:30
The ship is doing
fine. One of the
former crew
spoke to them on
a ham radio. The
phone
line is down please
don't try to use
it. Will try to get
it
repaired as soon
as possible. Have
a Happy
New Year.
Lind
a
Date:
Sat, 30 Dec 2000
11:38:33 -0800
1. Position N28-14,
W061-00.
2. Ships systems: No.2
Gen. gyro-compass inop
3. 32,000 gal fuel.
4. Track 262, steering
285 mag., SOA 7 kt,
Sea state 4 to 6, Wind
force 2, Swell direction
230, wind dir. 230,
cloud cover 100% overcast,vsby
15nm.
5. Ship's Company,
29, all healthy.
J.R.
Carter, CDR, USNR(Ret.)
XO, M/V LST Memorial
December
27, 2000 from Lois
Jornlin
Hi! It's Wednesday
AM and I heard from
Bob on the ship this
morning. He said it
was a little rough
yesterday, but calmer
today. All the crew
are
fine but getting a little tired. Worked on the gyro and hoping it will work
now. If not, can manage without it. Still heading toward Nassau on course.
Bob said they have gone 4250 miles since departure from Greece. Now N28
38min - W53 22min (11:00AM CST).
He said a radio interview will be aired today in Washington, D.C. on
the "Talk about Town" show at noon EST. When he called it was already
Noon
on the East Coast so would have been on air about then exactly. They have
apparently made the news in Australia and Japan, too.
When I asked how fast they were going, quote "6 1/2 knots up the waves,
and 7 knots down". Still has his sense of humor. I also asked if they
had a
Christmas tree. He said they had found one on the ship all decorated, so if
fact did have a tree. They had a ham dinner for Christmas with all the
trimmings and he thought a New Years dinner was being planned as well but did
not know the menu. Still planning a short stop in Nassau for some lube oil
and some repair parts to be brought aboard although they have already fixed
most of the problems experienced thus far.
Still expect arrival Nassau Jan. 3rd or 4th and arrival Mobile, Jan
10th. Just two more weeks for those of us that are counting!! Hope you had
a great Christmas with your families (in spite of the circumstances) and I
wish you all a happy New Year. Mine starts on the 10th!
Lois
Date: Tue, 26 Dec
2000 15:25:00 -0000
(GMT)
1. Position N29-07,
W050-37.
2. Ships systems: No.2
Gen. gyro-compass inop
3. 38,000 gal fuel.
4. Track 267, steering
255 mag., SOA 5 kt,
Sea state 8 to 12,
Wind force 6, Swell
direction 240, wind
dir. 240, solid overcast,
visability 0.5nm, light
to heavy rain.
5. Ship's Company,
29, all healthy.
J.R.
Carter, CDR, USNR(Ret.)
XO, M/V LST Memorial
December
24, 2000 Report from
Jack Carter
Date: Sat,
23 Dec 2000 15:38:00
-0000
(GMT)
Subject: Christmas
Report from LST 325,
25 Dec 2000
We are approaching
the halfway point of
the Atlantic crossing
and we have committed
to be in Mobile for
a 10 Jan arrival. Thanks,
Jack
'Twas the night
before Christmas and
all through
the ship,
Not a faucet was leaking,
not even a drip.
The sailors were all
snug in sacks,
Resting from a day's
work of breaking their
backs.
The watch standers
steered the ship through
the night,
Alert for any warning,
whistle or light.
When down in the tank
deck there arose such
a clatter,
The bos'n ran down
to see what was the
matter.
There stood Santa in
red coveralls, covered
with grease,
I thought the crews
laughing never would
cease.
The crew fell silent
as Santa drew near,
Telling us that our
Christmas was now here.
He told us, "You
boys have had a might
rough time,
But you all did your
jobs, and everything
turned out fine."
"My gift to you all,
this holiday season,
Is the Joy of knowing
that you have done
a Job Well for a Very
Good Reason."
THE
SHIP'S COMPANY OF THE
LST 325, 2000
WISHES TO EXTEND OUR
WARMEST SEASONS GREETINGS
ALL OF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS,
LOVED ONES, FRIENDS
AND SUPPORTERS.
The
year has been a difficult
period
for all of us and the
continued support of
those at home have
always been a source
of strength and support
for us. The realization
that we would not be
together with our families
for the holidays was
truly painful. We hope
that the joy of our
forthcoming homecoming
will in some way makeup
for the disruption
of the Christmas season.
A former LST man called
the ship tonight and
spoke to Ed Strobel.
He had just talked
to his wife. He told
Mr. Bone that everything
was fine and they were
looking forward to
being home on Jan.
10, 2001. I sent out
the hotel information
on Thursday the 21
st. This will include
former crew and families
of the crew that are
currently on board
the vessel. Please
send in your reservations
to the Hotel, ASAP.
The block of rooms
at the rate you have
on the form will only
be held until 1/5/01.
Thanks have Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.
Mike and
Linda Gunjak
December
23, 2000
Just after I
posted this picture
the Captain
called and told me
everthing is fine it
is a beautiful day
and they have smooth
seas. They are going
to stop in Nassau,
Bahamas on Jan. 3 to
pick up lube oil and
parts. They plan to
leave on Jan. 4 for
the final leg of their
journey to Mobile.
He said every thing
is working ok and they
plan to have Ham and
all the fixings for
Christmas dinner. A
little joke was made
that the Navy suggested
they stay in the Bahamas
till spring because
of weather. I think
this suggestion was
the Captain's (ha-ha)
The weather that he
was speaking of was
WINTER at home. He
had talked to Lois
and she told him they
had 25 below wind chill
and more snow on the
way. The temperatre
was 75 on the ship.
Just a joke folks.
They will be home on
the 10th. of Jan. Happy
Holidays from the whole
crew.
Thanks, Linda
December
22, 2000
We are happy
to announce that as
of today the
date that M/V LST Memorial
will be arriving in
Mobile, Al. will be
January 10, 2001 at
10:00 am. We have been
told that barring no
unfor seen problems
that is the date of
the return. The city
of Mobile has planned
a big welcome for the
crew and the ship.
We will be keeping
the web site updated
as soon as we have
any other news. If
any change of plans
you will be notified
immediately. One thing
I might have forgotten
in my letter is that
any of the crew that
couldn't sail the ship
home and have your
uniforms and are planning
on going to Mobile
please bring them with
you.
They are running
into a rain storm.
It will
be something they can
handle. The men are
all fine. We are hoping
for daily updates.
Thanks, Linda
December
20, 2000
The men are
doing great. We talked
to
the Captain at 2:00
PM this afternoon.
Nobody is sick only
a couple of colds.
They will be in about
the 8th-10th of January.
A final date will be
set in about one week.
I will notify the crew
members wives and former
crew of the dates.
You are all welcome
to come to give the
ship a great welcome.
Please be patient I
will get it together
soon. All information
will be sent out by
Saturday 23 rd. That
still gives you time
to make airline reservations
to get the good rates.
Any questions please
call me at 1-419-693-0725.
All information will
include everything
you will need. Please
don't call until you
receive my information
PLEASE If you have
question and have computer
please e-mail me at
uslst@kmbs.com .
Thanks,
Linda
If any one can
get a Navy Times from
Dec.
18th issue please see
the story that Chris
Munsey has written.
All people are welcome
to come and see the
M/V LST Memorial (LST-325)
return from its adventures
across the seas. They
did something the world
has never seen before.
They said they couldn't
do it but they showed
them when you put your
mind to something you
can accomplish any
thing you want to.
We
will be taking names
for the caretaking
and continued updating
of the ship. If you
would like to come
to Mobile, Al. and
help please send your
name and address, phone
number and your proficiency
or if you would like
to stand a watch for
a couple of weeks.
We need a little information
about yourself. Thanks
Please MAIL this information
to me at USS LST Ship
Memorial 64 Ponderosa
Dr. Oregon, Oh. 43616-2221.,
and I will pass the
information onto the
Captain. Please mail
this information I
will not except E-MAIL
on this subject PLEASE.
Time, is what you can
help with this project.
Remember they still
need donations. Form
is on the web site
by the envelope.
Thanks
again, Linda
December
20, 2000
Date: Wed,
20 Dec 2000 16:34:00
-0000
(GMT)
1. Position
N28-33, W031-30.
. All ships systems
operational. No.2 Gen.
repair deferred.
3. 45,500 gal fuel.
4. Started great circle
to Providence channel.
Sea state 6 to 8, Wind
force 3, Swell direction
000, wind dir. 000.
100% cumulous cloud
cover, occasional heavy
rolling.
5. Ship's Company,
29, all healthy.
J.R.
Carter, CDR, USNR(Ret.)
XO, M/V LST Memorial
December
18, 2000 from Jackson
Carter
Log Site
Subject: Status
Report LST 325,1200Z
18 Dec
2000
1. Position N30
deg. 13 min., W025
deg 40
min.
2. All ships systems
operational. No.2 Gen.
under repair.
3. 48,500 gal fuel.
4. Planned Track 270
deg from point N30,W026,
Steering 270 deg, Sea
state 6 to 8, Wind
force 4, Swell direction
330, wind dir. 330.
30% cumulous cloud
cover, scattered, occasional
heavy rolling. If present
weather holds, will
probably go rhomb line
to Great Abaco
5. Ship's Company,
29, all healthy.
by
direction
J.R. Carter,
CDR USNR (Ret.) XO,
M/V LST Memorial
December
18, 2000
8:10 EST (1210N121800/1310Z).
BT. Time zone: +4 hours
from EST. LST-325 position
30.11'N, 25.53'W, course
270T from 230, making
turns for 8 knots,
temperature 70 F, partly
cloudy/cumulous (light
rain w/periods of sunshine),
Waves 10/12 ft., wind
direction west, wind
force 5 (fresh breeze,
moderate waves taking
longer form, whitecaps,
some spray), traveled
1094 NM/1259 SM. Merchant
ships - 4 ships 300
miles ahead report
similar weather, and
3 ships 300 miles S-SW
indicate same. Have
three generators onboard,
the auxiliary can be
fixed with spare parts
onboard/No problem.
Land Lubber's view, "There's
no land Captain! Were
on the "high Sea." For
location - see Jim
Anderson's great chart
www.xmision.com. Our
sailor's have achieved
another "nautical" milestone...they
have reached the 30th
parallel (latitiude)...the "navigator's
dream," the un/official
latitude for catching
the "westerly
trade winds." This
is called the "horse
latitude, ride that
great ship home."
December
17, 2000
We talked to
the ship this morning.
At that
time everything was
going OK. The seas
were calm but they
were looking for some
rain. I have a report
from one of our friends.
11:45
am EST ( 1645Z121700).BT.
LST-325 Has crossed
November time zone
from Zulu, +4 hour
time difference from
EST, position 31.47'N,
22.48' W course 230
T, making for 8 knots,
traveled 908 NM/1045
SM, partly cloudy,
light rain expected
in evening, temperature
68 F, wind direction
270T at 12 knots (Wind
force4- moderate breeze,small
waves becoming longer),
12/18 last quarter
moon,sunset 1804N (02:00
pm EST). Merchant ship
weather observation
east of LST by 120SM-
wind 9.5 knots, wind
direction 250, and
2 ft waves with 1 second
periods; ship on 31st
parallel 180 SM west
wind 13 knots, wind
direction 250, and
4 ft waves with 4 second
periods.
Land Lubber's
view-- from Madeira
Island,
Portugal look west
at 256 degrees True
(or between 8 and 9
0'clock and go out
350 SM Hope you understand
this.
I had a call this
morning trying to reach
the ship. They were
concerned out the weather
and wanted to let the
ship know about the
storms. They reached
them and changed their
course to the South.
More information later.
Thanks Linda
New update
on the Log of LST-325
please
link from our home
page. Starts with http://www.
(http://www.uslst.org/lst-325.htm)
Thanks again, Linda
This
came from a e-mail
I received this afternoon:
December
16, 2000 The Voyage
of the ex-LST
325
(Now named M/V LST
Memorial)
Update:
OLD
MEN AND THE SEA (12/15/00)
As
of Dec. 15, the
men of the LST 325
have traveled about
440 nautical miles
from Gibraltar, Coast
Guard officials said.
Bound for Mobile, Ala.,
and
facing a month-long
crossing, the LST 325
began its 4,600-nautical-mile
journey across the
Atlantic Ocean from
Gibraltar Dec. 12.
The vessel, a 1942
tank landing ship,
left the pier at 6:55
p.m. local time with
a crew of 29
elderly veterans aboard.
The sailors, veterans
of World War II and
Korea with
an average age of 73,
got the ship back into
working order this
summer and
fall at a Greek navy
shipyard in Souda Bay,
Crete. The ship reached
Gibraltar
Nov. 30 after a 13-day
journey from Salamis,
Greece. The starboard
engine was
repaired at the Cammell
Laird shipyard in Gibraltar.
The veterans hope the ship,
now called M/V LST
Ship Memorial,
serves as a floating
monument to the
role played by the
LSTs in U.S. military
history. The ship left
despite the
warnings of Vice Adm.
John E. Shkor, Coast
Guard Atlantic Area
commander, who
asked the veterans
to consider towing
their vessel across
the ocean and
postponing the trip
for warmer weather.
The ship reports its
position daily
to the command duty
officer at Commander
in Chief, U.S. Naval
Forces Europe
in
London.
Coast Guard officials
at the Rescue
Coordination Center
in
Portsmouth, Va. are
also tracking the vessel's
progress. At noon GMT
on Dec.
15, the ship reported
its position as 33
degrees 48 minutes
north, 15 degrees
20 minutes west. "Steering
245 degrees, sea state
6 to 8, wind force
4, swell
direction 350. Partly
cloudy, moderate roll,
occasional rain squall," read
the ship's message.
- Christopher Munsey
-------------------
Submitted,
YNCS Don Harribine
NAVetsUSA
NCPOA
December 15, 2000
Captain Jornlin called
this morning with the
following bearings.
N 33 degrees 24 min.
W 15 degrees 29 minutes.
They are about 600
miles out of Gibraltar.
North of the Madeira
Island going SW on
a heading of 258 degrees
true. Heading South
for the 25th parallel
just north of the Tropic
of Cancer. He said
that they were in a
rain storm but it had
passed. Everything
running perfect and
the weather ahead looks
good. The rain started
last night. Had 10--15
degree rolls no hard
slams. The ship is
doing fine. Moderate
seas, temperature 68
degrees gentle seas.
Maintaining 8 knots.
All operating systems
are go.
