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 Author  Topic: Mare Island Flag
  Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Jun 20, 2011 - 3:59pm
Interesting story here. I have the chance to add some artifacts to my Mosquito Fleet Exhibit. Here is the interesting part. These items, including a flag stamped Mare Island, were donated by Lt. Bill Diver, Skipper of PT-195, to the man who wants to sell me these items. I have checked out the flag, but have never seen flags stamped Mare Island, that were flown from a PT BOAT. The several I have, are stamped US ENSIGN and the flag Company and Number. Second, the flag is not even tattored at the ends. It did not take long for flags in the Pacific to become tattored, which were trimmed at the edges until tattored again. I spoke to Alyce from Headquarters, who has many flags, but again, never from anything stamped Mare Island.

My thoughts are Mr. Diver obtained this flag somewhere, but it never got to the mast of the boat. If memory serves me right, Mare Island was a Navy Base, that built mostly Submarines, in the San Fran area. Anyone know of any PT BOATS that made it to this area just after the War., or before? I just have my doubts, not that it belonged to Mr. Diver, but that it was billed as being flown from the boat by the seller. Your thoughts here are as always appreciated.


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  Jerry Gilmartin

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jerry Gilmartin   Send Email To Jerry Gilmartin Posted on: Jun 20, 2011 - 5:29pm
Hi Frank,
I think you are correct. I just looked at Colton's website listing all ships built at MINSY during WW2, and they were all either Submarines, Destroyer Escorts, Sub Tenders, or LCT's. I am positive they never built any PT Boats or for that matter, Crash Rescue Boats at Mare Island. I bet your hunch is correct. Maybe you could ask the seller if he has any proof the flag flew over a PT Boat? Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin

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Gary Paulsen

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Gary Paulsen   Send Email To Gary Paulsen Posted on: Jun 21, 2011 - 3:25am
Hi Frank,
May not mean anything but Dad got discharged at Mare Island. It may be that is where Mr. Diver was too. He may have picked up one last souvenir on his way home. Might help explain the condition too.
Gary


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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Jun 21, 2011 - 6:10am
Gary

This is wonderful News. It proves that PT BOATERS did see MARE ISLAND, and it is possible that others were discharged in this area. This would explain why LT. Divers had this flag in his SEABAG. Thanks gary, this really clears up some of the mystery...........


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Ray Wilbur

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jun 21, 2011 - 9:21am
I know there use to be a special boat unit at Mare Island. Ted could probably tell you more. When I use to go they had Viet Nam era boats there. Mini armored troop carriers (MATV's), a lot of Patrol Boat Riverine (PBR's) and some newer Boston Whaler's. I think it was SBU 11. It pretty much closed down not too long after Mare Island shipyard closed. I'd say mid 1990's. They were knnown as the "Brown water Navy".

Ray

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TED WALTHER

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Jun 21, 2011 - 10:14am
Yes Ray you are correct. Special Boat Unit Xl (11) was stationed at Mare Island until 5 SEPT1997, when the unit was decommissioned. They sent Dets down to us, at least twice a year, sometimes more. They were always a great bunch of riverine operators.


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Donald Shannon

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Donald Shannon  Posted on: Jun 27, 2011 - 1:09pm

Hello Frank:

Many of the original PT Boat flags in the PT Boats Inc. National PT Boat Veteran's Museum collection at Battleship Cove, Fall River, Massachusetts were made at Mare Island and have the MARE stamp. Also PT Boats were issued replacment flags and some that were flown only for a short time were taken down and kept as keep sakes by PT Officers and crew.

Additional information from:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060


Navy Yards manufactured many of the flags used by the Navy from the 1890s to the 1960s. Each yard had a "sail loft" that cared for textiles, and in some cases operated a factory to keep up with demand.

Donald Shannon

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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Jun 29, 2011 - 2:11pm
Don

This is wonderful News. It is the first time that I have learned about the Mare Island stamped Flags being used on the boats. Alyce had expressed to me that none of the Flags at headquarters were stamped Mare island, and from my own experience, I had never seen any with that stamp. This clears up my original thoughts that no boats carried this stamped flag on ther mast's...........


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