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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
Found Memo
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=5041
Surprises come in all shapes and sizes and for me this morning, I was no exception to the rule. I had decided to go through one of my Museum boxes as I was looking for a diagram. I located this envelope, typed out to Frederick Bulkely, who worked at Elco He was of course the Father of Lt. Cmdr. John Bulkeley from Ron 3 fame. I always knew I had it but I never even knew there was something inside. I must have missed it all these years as the memo inside was very thin. To my excitement and surprise the memo was from the Elco Labor Management and was informing Frederick about the noontime ceremony for his son. Also in the memo it clearly states that John would be presented a gift. That gift was a handcrafted PT-41 that was made by Elco Employee Don Rosencrantz. I had the original photos of that ceremony but never tied it into this memo until 10:45am today. You can imagine how exited I am (goosebumps even now) to now be able to put the pieces together. I will make a case for this in the near future. To think that I have had this envelope for at least 15 years and never knew the treasure that awaited me inside of it is mind boggling. I am so happy to have found this memo that I wanted to share it with the group.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 16, 2021 - 6:32am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
What a great find, I have always believed the most cherished pieces of history are sometimes the simplest. Holding it in your hands now that’s a way to start your day. The memo will really add to that “WOW” moment when displayed with the photo. Do you know where the gift is today ?
Posted By: Grady | Posted on: Aug 16, 2021 - 9:09am
Total Posts: 157 | Joined: Oct 2, 2018 - 8:04am
Frank,
What a nice find, and of some significance too! My first thought was the same as Grady's; what happened to the presentation boat?
To enhance the moment, I'd suggest not only holding the memo and looking at it and the picture, but also listening to The Invincible Eagle at the same time. I just did so, but unfortunately can only look at the documents in your post. That's more than good enough, though,
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Neu3llLSK8I[/url]
Randy McConnell (Randall J. McConnell III)
Below, added by Moderator, Dick:
Posted By: PRJM3 | Posted on: Aug 16, 2021 - 11:47am
Total Posts: 95 | Joined: May 25, 2009 - 2:47pm
Neat find, Frank.
Wasn't there an earlier post on the Forum about the model, stating that it sat on the mantle of the (younger) Bulkeley's home's for years?
Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Aug 16, 2021 - 12:47pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am
Drew and Grady
The boat in question which was made by Elco Employee Don Rosencrantz sat at the home of the Admiral for many years. It is still with the Bulkeley family to this day. Here are two photos of the boat at the Admirals home where for some reason he added ET to the helm
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 17, 2021 - 4:12am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Randy I just played that song myself which in my mind brings me back to this lunch time ceremony. I can just see it all unfolding before my eyes
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 17, 2021 - 4:14am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
My first love of music was John Philip Sousa, The March King! I found this fun video, The Sousaphone Battle. A bit long, but I'm sure it will bring a smile to your face, as it did mine. I am sure the Lieutenant, Commander was smiling on that day also! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVlS64b_4K8
Posted By: Stearman | Posted on: Aug 17, 2021 - 8:31pm
Total Posts: 150 | Joined: Nov 1, 2017 - 9:38pm
Hah that's funny. In the 80's I had an R/C outboard powered tunnel hull that I recruited a larger version of ET to drive. Our club lake was at the entrance of a State Park so we had lots of family visitors, the kids loved him! I'd often hear an excited "ET!!! Look Dad ET is driving!" behind me as I ran the boat and they caught a glimpse of him.
Don's work is exquisite, only a lucky few own one. Even the prop earrings he made for his daughter are works of art in my book and look exactly like the real thing. Do you know how many PT's he made Frank?
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Aug 18, 2021 - 4:03am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Jeff
I am not sure how many Don built while he was at Elco. I have tried to research this but have come up empty. As you know i have one of his boats. Here are the earrings you talk about made for his daughter Gina, and one of his boats that I have
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 18, 2021 - 7:54am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Jeff
I found this Elco Memo that Don had sent to Irwin Chase. The time for building this model was incredible. Not sure how large this was but that kind of money in those days was huge.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 18, 2021 - 7:58am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Hooo Wee, pricey indeed. And 32 fulltime weeks just to do the other half! Or is that an invoice for the work already done? Do you know if that was in addition to his job at Elco, or was it his job to build models?
Thanks Frank, they are the spitting image of the real props. Heck I'd be tempted to get my ears pierced if I owned them!
It looks like the model you have is likely by Comet Metal Products / Authenticast, originally commissioned by Elco as promotional models to give to VIPS. I'm jealous.
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Aug 18, 2021 - 2:41pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Jeff one of the reasons Elco hired out Authenticast under Elco license was that Don could not keep up with the orders he was given. Don worked in the Hull Department when he was not making orders. The thing that most do not know is that Don's models were built mostly using metal parts and pieces. His hulls were one piece wood. Authenticast stamped their models at the base and the one I have does not have a stamp, which is why I believe this one was completed by Don. When I had visited the Irwin Chase home back in 1997 he had two Rosencrantz models in his home, one identical to mine and another that was at least 4 feet in length. The family related to me that those boats were built by Rosencrantz. I have enclosed Don's Elco ID, which I have, and a few models that he made for the Company. You can really see Don's wonderful work on PT-41.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 18, 2021 - 5:09pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
What a great thread , I find all this history fascinating, again the little things tell us so much. I'm all in supporting Frank on educating the next generation,. Not only about the men who walked there decks, but the folks who built them. For me it opens up a new world. . your never to old to find a new passion. Thanks to the site and its dedicated ELCO NUTS I learn everyday so a huge thanks guys.
Posted By: Grady | Posted on: Aug 19, 2021 - 2:44am
Total Posts: 157 | Joined: Oct 2, 2018 - 8:04am
Grady I am thrilled to find someone new that has taken an active interest in the WWII PT BOATS. There is such a wealth of information out there now, not only in books produced in the last few years but on these sites. You will find that pretty much any questions you might have about the boats, bases, and tenders can usually be answered right here. If you are interested I have 3 published books on the Market. You will find them by going to amazon.com. If you are interested I have a facebook page dedicated to the PT BOATS, BASES, and TENDERS. You can join by looking up The Mosquito Fleet Exhibit.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 19, 2021 - 6:32am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
According to this site, the mfg plate is On the underside of the case is a metal label with the boats real dimensions plus the Comet Products label.: [url]http://sbiii.com/authcmt9.html#zederpt[/url]. The site also has 2 photos that bring up higher res versions if clicked on. This page mentions that the Comet models are made of metal: [url]http://sbiii.com/authcmt4.html#mystery[/url]
Don't get me wrong, your model is very well done and a piece of history but I don't think it is up to Don's standards of accuracy and exquisite detail. Like the foot rails, on yours and the ones on the model from the website they look a bit large and lack the solid areas at the bow and at the splice in the middle. You can see how well Don nailed them in the photo of the PT 41 model of his you posted. Here's what the website models look like:
The ones on your model look exactly the same:
And your case looks the same as on the Comet models. Does the name plate look like this?:
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Aug 19, 2021 - 9:00am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Jeff the name plate is the same and in looking at your evidence I would tend to believe my model is a Comet. I was pretty excited to think i had a Rosencrantz model but in any event she is a great example of model building from the WWII era. In fact here is a photo taken at the Elco Naval Division that shows that very model on the desk
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 19, 2021 - 10:24am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
I'd love to know how many Don was able to turn out, sure couldn't have been many based on the hours involved...
If I'm reading it right, the Comet website seems to indicate that those models were given only to certain customers / potential customers / special occasions maybe, and not sold retail so they sound like they are rare. I don't suppose you'd leave it to me in your will hmmm?
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Aug 20, 2021 - 7:23am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Jeff I do know that they are rare and being under Elco License you are correct. They were only given out to certain people so I would think not a ton of these were produced. They are rare and finding one in the shape of the one I have is not easy. Your on a long list lol.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 20, 2021 - 8:03am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Did anyone else notice the inaccuracy on the Comet model shown at the site linked by Jeff D? The port forward and starboard rear torpedoes obviously swapped positions at some point in the models life so that when launched they would roll onto the deck of the boat! The greater question would be, why did I notice that? Possibly because I'm an engineer and/or born under the sign of Virgo (a nit-picking PITA according to my mother) but more likely because I've learned the details of the roll-off launcher by frequenting this site. Regardless, I'm sure Comet didn't release the model that way.
The site linked by Jeff is pretty informative too. I've already spent time studying the ship recognition models produced for the AAF and will be going back for more. Yes, The PT Boat Forum can be educational.
Those are fantastic boat models that you have, Frank, regardless of who made them. Both the rarity and excellent condition add to them just being PT boat models.
Randy McConnell (Randall J. McConnell III)
Posted By: PRJM3 | Posted on: Aug 21, 2021 - 8:07am
Total Posts: 95 | Joined: May 25, 2009 - 2:47pm
Thanks Randy, having one of the Elco Licensed boats is pure joy for me. I get to see it each day while in my office, along with the wonderful models done by Stan Pienkowski. I did play the song several times holding the memo and looking at the photo of Sutphen as he hands the boat to Bulkeley. Some folks might think I am crazy but I find it as getting lost in History. If I did not say so Randy, thanks for posting the link to the song. I have enclosed another photo of that special day. Here Bulkeley is with his Dad Frederick who got the Memo that I have. The builder of the model Don Rosencrantz is front row Elco worker with the pipe in his mouth looking away
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 21, 2021 - 10:44am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Yep I did Randy, I'm a V too. :D Although also an astrology denier... The text mentions some damage so it must have taken a hit at some point. And I can see myself glueing them back on bassackwards. The boat number 777 is interesting, no guess as to why they chose that number although at one point Elco had a contract for PT's 761-790 that was cancelled.
Nice photo Frank thanks. Another cool one is of Dad inspecting a steering wheel, I love seeing factory action shots:
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Aug 21, 2021 - 11:22am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Jeff,
I don't put any stock in astrology either and I think my mother only brought it up when she wanted to criticize annoying habits demonstrated by someone in the family. Dad, the PT boat commander, was a Taurus (the Bull) and he played the part well. He was never intimidated and rarely backed down for anyone, even when he should have, but it made him a particularly good trial attorney. After he passed away we found some of the Navy papers from when he was evaluated (and accepted) for the PT officer training program. In addition to academics (Dad was in law school at the time) they evaluated personal characteristics. And Dad's results came out as very much in charge and aggressive. Kind of what you'd want for a PT boat officer. It was no surprise to us; that's what we grew up with. To his face Mom would call him a Taurus the Bull and a bullheaded Irishman, and tell him people didn't want to hear the level of detail he was ready to provide. When he was out of earshot she say things like, "You can tell an Irishman, but you can't tell him much." and "Ask a lawyer what time it is and he'll tell you how to make a watch." The Navy certainly made use of and reinforced those characteristics. He could also show the control and decorum required in front of court officers, like judges, also a trait enhanced by military service. Coincidentally the last car he had was a Ford Taurus with a Peter Tare license plate on the front. Few people could appreciate the irony of the Peter Tare Taurus.
Frank, I also enjoy seeing the period pictures and it's especially interesting when the background information accompanies them. Yesterday morning I was looking for something in my basement office and moved a box of Dad's framed Navy pictures that included the Elco Knights of the Sea print. I also found a box of elaborate and decorative ashtrays I'd saved that belonged to my father-in-law, the WWIII island hopping Marine.that chain smoked Camels. Later I was looking at the your picture with the Elco guys at a table with the boat model on it. On the wall behind them is the Knights of the Sea print and on the table is an elaborate ashtray in the style of a ships wheel. After that I didn't feel so bad about the stuff I tend to pack rat!
Randy McConnell (Randall J. McConnell III)
Posted By: PRJM3 | Posted on: Aug 21, 2021 - 12:35pm
Total Posts: 95 | Joined: May 25, 2009 - 2:47pm
Nothing wrong with being a pack rat,this is how History is saved. Here is a couple of clippings I I had saved and another photo of Frederick at the controls at Elco for boat turning
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Aug 21, 2021 - 3:33pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Hey thanks for the stories about your Dad Randy, he sounds like he was quite a man. And your Mom his match! I love a person with a good sense of humor.
Another nice set of photos Frank, thank you once again. Lt Bulkeley looks so young in the top one.
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Aug 21, 2021 - 4:52pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am