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PortSide is based on the retired oil tanker Mary A. Whalen (originally
named the S.T. Kiddoo)
News: Monday 2/24/09. Most of the parts needed to fix the Whalen’s engine arrived in Red Hook after being trucked from Seattle. The back story will roll out in installments on the blog We got 6 cylinders, 6 heads, 6 pistons, 1 connecting rod, a whole fuel pump assembly, the lower half of the engine block with a crank (to be inspected) and flywheel, and 2 davits. What we lack now are 5 connecting rods and 1 davit, and we need more research to determine the crank repair strategy. Our new acquisitions include stuff we didn't need, so we can sell some parts to defray costs. If you want to help us find more, we need 5 rods for a Fairbanks Morse 37E12, six cylinder, direct reversing engine. Fixing the Whalen's engine will happen down the road. Right now, we are focused on finding a home, program development and fundraising. Engine parts like these, however, need to be acquired when found (if cheap) as they are scarce as hen's teeth and disappearing fast when old boats get scrapped. Thanks to those who helped us get most of the parts to fix the Mary Whalen's engine: Stabbert Maritime in Seattle who accommodated the disruption of our request for parts and discounted their fees; Washington State Department of Natural Resources who negotiated on our behalf and who provided history on the Ked and Bushey tankers in general; Gerry Weinstein who donated $5,000 to pay for the parts and more towards the shipping; K-Sea Transportation who donated $2,000 towards the cost of shipping and provided engine info; American Stevedoring who unloaded and is storing the parts in their warehouse; A & P Freight who gave us a nice price on shipping; the fleet of engineers who provided advice on vintage engines: Gary Matthews, Bobby Mowbray, Charlie Chillemi, Tim Ivory, Nobby Peers, Adrian Lipp; Gerry Weinstein who referred us to engineers and whose Archive of Industry provided much info on Bushey engines and davits, Mary Habstritt, President of the national Society of Industrial Archeology who tapped the west coast SIA membership which got Ries Niemi, and Erik Knise involved; the other West Coast site crew Antonio Salguero of Coastwise Marine Design and Kris Lindberg. Big thanks to Bernie Ente, the King of Newtown Creek, who told us about the Ked in the first place! This is all due to you Bernie! |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hook%2C_Brooklyn