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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: PT658 photos of a new milestone...of sorts
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=2770

Recently the crew of the PT658 had a new experience. While returning down the Williamette River past downtown Portland, we were informed by the County Sherriff's Patrol that the river was closed to all traffic. This was due to the second annual "Big Float" event. Promoters of the River Keepers of Oregon, in order to help promote Oregon's Clean River Initiative, sponsored what turned out to be hundreds of people in rafts and kayaks paddling across the river on July 29, 2012. We were blissfully unaware of the entire event, as we were returning from the Milwaukee Oregon "Milwaukee Daze" Festival further upriver. The skipper pulled the PT658 into the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's dock (OMSI is the home of submarine USS Blueback, one of the last diesel boats in USN service) and we tied up to wait the required 2 or 3 hours. Then suddenly the Sherrff's Patrol Boat came over and said the swimmers and rafters had agreed to allow us (and only us) to pass and they had cleared out a path for us to go through. It was as if there was a parting of the Red Sea as literally hundreds of people started cheering and waving as the world's only operating authentically restored PT boat passed through their ranks. It was a really great feeling hearing the entire crowd cheering and clapping as we went by. Here are a couple of photos to show you what it looked like. Jerry

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/DSC_0377.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/DSC_0378.jpg[/image]

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Aug 21, 2012 - 3:44pm
Total Posts: 1472 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

A class act by the rafters and swimmers!

Posted By: Higgins Fan | Posted on: Aug 21, 2012 - 5:50pm
Total Posts: 128 | Joined: Aug 17, 2012 - 7:48pm

VERY cool!

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Aug 21, 2012 - 6:10pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Jerry;
Great photos.....Just like a Northwest version of the Natives coming out to trade and greet the first boat to come to the island.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 23, 2012 - 4:33pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

What an awesome feeling that must have been. Reminds one of the Natives coming out to greet the boat, looking to trade for something. I love it Jerry...............

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 23, 2012 - 5:11pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Great story Jerry! Looks like a lot of fun!
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Aug 24, 2012 - 4:17am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Damm Jerry,
You and your crew and anyone who helped you restore the Boat can't feel anythig but proud that those people could reconise the service of the men that crewed the Boats during the War ,the Boat herself for what she stands for and all your efforts to keep her in full fighting trim.
This is what it is all about keeping the spirit alive and out there and this means the people Have Not forgoten .
Just wish I had been there Jerry.

D.buck

Posted By: David Buck | Posted on: Aug 28, 2012 - 6:09am
Total Posts: 332 | Joined: May 4, 2008 - 2:59am

Mr Gilmartin sir I always get chills up my spine when I look at the 658. I hope to get out there someday. I remember long talks and e-mails with Ken Nissen and Donny Brandt. Good guys.

Jim Melanson

Posted By: Jim Melanson | Posted on: Sep 6, 2012 - 10:24am
Total Posts: 17 | Joined: Dec 20, 2006 - 8:16am

If I wasn't so chicken to fly, I would have been out there with the boys a long time ago..................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Sep 6, 2012 - 11:24am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am