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Topic: USS New York |
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twhyte
New Member
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Posted on: Nov 7, 2009 - 5:09am
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Hello All, sorry for not posting sooner.
Frank, thanks for pointing out our website photos. I am in the process of building a page dedicated solely to the USS New York trip. here is the link
http://www.pt728.com/NewYorkphotos.html
This was without a doubt, the greatest experience I have had to date with PT 728. Also being retired FDNY, this ship has a very special meaning to me.
We started the trip off on Sunday Morning when we left Kingston, NY with a load of guests and headed south to Manhattan's North Cove Marina. At the North Cove we docked on the South side adjacent to Liberty Street. This was the location where the retired FDNY Fireboat John J Harvey came back in service to help on 9/11. We spent the night on 728.
The crew was up at 0500 and began preparing the boat for the day's events. At one point, WPIX news showed up and stuck the microphone into "Yours truley's" face LOL. I was able to stumble my way through a quick interview.
We departed the North Cove at 0640 and ran down alongside Brooklyn's shoreline through the Buttermilk Channel and then down through the Bay Ridge channel to the 22 buoy in Gravesend Bay, where we were scheduled to meet the USS New York at 0730. The ship was right on schedule and the entire event ran like clockwork. The US Navy and the USCG did a first rate job putting this together.
We fell in behind the Sandy Hook Pilot Boat 1 and directly in front of the USS New York. Having that ship just off my stern was a sight that I will never forget! The entire flotilla headed North to the World Trade Center site where we arrived at 0810. Everyone went to "All Stop" and dipped their ensigns to half Staff in honor of the victims of 9/11. While everyone in the Harbor held a moment of silence, the New York fired a 21 gun salute. We were not able to hear it from the PT Boat, but radio communication on 21A kept us abreast of everything. The walkways around lower Manhattan were filled with uniformed military, police and fire personnel and their families. It truly was a great sight.
After this brief stop, we resumed our journey to Pier 88 which is right next to the USS Intrepid. The Flotilla proceeded past Pier 88 to to the vicinity of 137th street and came about. The USS New York and her tugboat escorts were now the lead vessels. We fell in behind them and stood just off the Intrepid as she docked. All around were helicopters of all types, fireboats giving water displays and boats of every description watching as the New York made a perfect landing.
After that we proceeded back to the North Cove to discharge some very cold, but happy people!
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Nov 9, 2009 - 12:08pm
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Hey Tom,
I looked on the website and watched the movie. You looked great! Good job to you and the whole 728 crew for being there at the big event. I am glad to see that the spirit of the PT Boaters was being well represented at this momentous occasion! Thanks again for taking the time and effort to do what you guys did. Also thanks for doing such a great job on updating your website. It has been very timely and interesting to follow the development of the "Fleet Obsolete" all the way here from 3000 miles away here in Oregon. Take care and keep up the great work! Jerry PT658 Portland OR
Jerry Gilmartin |
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twhyte
New Member
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Posted on: Nov 16, 2009 - 4:53pm
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Hello All, just wanted to let you know, that I added more photos to our USS New York Page. There will be more to come. Hope you enjoy!
http://pt728.com/NewYorkphotos.html
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