The Mighty O sunk in the Gulf of Mexico today
I spent many a hot day in the s. pacific chipping, priming and painting
those anchors. They were in good shape in the 80's. They were taken off
a WW II aircraft carrier. I'm sure some steel lobbiest had something to
do with it. We also had over 1300 ft of chain on each anchor. Each link
weighed in at 265 pounds. And the anchor windless was awesome! Nothing
like smacking a pelican hook and standing by 100,000 pounds of steel
racing by in a blur.
I do know the Navy took off the helm, binnacle, lee helm, and
chronometers, barometers ect from the wheelhouse. A friend is trying to
get them from the navy to start his own offical Sammy G museam. The
helm was 5 foot dia. Solid brass (no spokes)
and Mahogany knuckle groove trim, she was a pleasure to helm. One
complete turn to stbd, two turns to port, back to center could induce
about a 4 ft roll. Almost always gets the conning officer to run to the
rudder angle indicator just in time to see you on course, leaving him
scratching his head ;0)
Joe
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