(Note to any readers in alt.radio.amateur -- my Father was known as AC4AD.
long ago, he went by WB4HSR.)

---------

I'm posting this in memory of my Dad... he served in the U.S. Navy for 20
years (active duty) and 10 years in the USN Reserve. Korean veteran. He
passed away on May 7, 2004. He worked on Minesweepers while in the Navy
(from my understanding they're wooden ships -- according to my mother they
were constructed that way, in case they received a blast -- the entire ship
wouldn't be damaged). The Navy has a saying "Wooden Ships, Iron Men".
There's a number of my Dad's friends who are retired US Navy officers who've
put together a petition to save at least one particular MSO and the petition
is address to the Belgium Prime Minister -- the petition is available at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/samforce/petition.html

Please sign this petition. On my last visit they only had a little over
1,000 signatures. They want the ship to be turned into a "Floating Museum".

Info on minesweepers
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...structed+of+wo
od

13 COASTAL MINESWEEPERS
.... Constructed throughout of wood and other ... An additional 167 coastal
minesweepers of
this design were built in US private shipyards for NATO and other allied ...
http://www.usswarbler.com/13_coastal_minesweepers.htm

Naval Technology - Mine Warfare Vessels Image Gallery
.... The Avenger hull is constructed from wood and covered ... Seafox Mine
Disposal Vehicle,
The 12 Hameln minesweepers were commissioned between 1989 and 1991. ...
http://www.naval-technology.com/proj...s_gallery.html

Ship Building
.... was established at Clarenville to build diesel-powered, wooden
minesweepers (although
most were ... Most longliners have been constructed of wood, although some
....
http://www.k12.nf.ca/discovery/Commm...e/shipbuilding.
html

Warmest regards,

Sharon Mooney

In Loving Memory,
http://www.ronie-mooney-encs.us
Contains photographs of the military funeral my Father received.
(The folding of the flag, and the 21 gun salute -- officers from both the
Navy and Army participated).