Amphibious Fleet News

The Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum Newsletter

Vol. I, No. 1 - January 2005

LCI National Reunion Concludes-Portland, OR

In May of 2004 the LCI Veterans national organization held their first reunion in Portland, Oregon. Many crew members commissioned their ships in Portland at the Albina or Willamette Iron Yards. Reunion veterans and family were able to walk the decks of the LCI 713 moored at the hotel dock. This event afforded the ship?s restoration crew the opportunity to exhibit and realize the results of over six years effort to preserve and restore to the original configuration the last WWII LCI. (Other LCI?s carry on in various trades. We hope more survivors may retire to be preserved and restored). Notable events aboard were highlighted by the reunion of the 713's Executive Officer, Gordon Houser and crew member, Hubert Miller. Media interest was non-existent except for a short television cameo that allowed LCI Association President Jim Talbert to declare the reunion presence and the role of LCI sailors in WWII. As political sentiments and demographics evolve, we seem to be in danger of losing many pages from our intertwined common history. The LCI 713 was able to remain at the dock for several days following the reunion and crew members were able to remove 10 drums of lube oil, taking that issue off the list of Coast Guard concerns. The contribution of $1,000.00 by the LCI National (that check was honored even though dog-eared and moth-eaten) went to pay for moorage on the Multnomah Channel near Scappoose, Oregon for several months. The relocation was executed in good time and fair weather. In true Navy tradition, two un-named crew members were dallying ashore and MISSED THE SAILING! However, they were able to commandeer a civilian boat that re-united them with the ship.

President's Letter

December29th, 2004

Greetings to all LCI sailors, their families and friends. This is to be the first of, hopefully, many newsletters to be sent to you in reference to the Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum.

I met Walt James when he salvaged my small tug several years ago and by chance, met again when I became involved with the LCI 713 restoration. A small group of determined volunteers have been plugging away and the ?rusting hulk of some old Navy ship sunk in the Columbia River at Stevenson, Washington has been substantially restored to resemble the proud little Amphibious Landing Craft of its former years.

We feel it is now time to take a big step forward and application has been made to the IRS Division of the Treasury Department for tax exemption as a non-profit museum. By-laws have been written and officers selected. Dave McKay is the Vice President, Mark Stevens, Secretary-Treasurer, with myself as President.

It has been the encouragement of you fellow LCI sailors at the National Reunion in Portland in May, 2004, as well as your letters and personal donations of money, time and e-mails that enable us to take this big step. The past support of the LCI National Association is greatly appreciated.

Shortly we will be seeking your support in this endeavor by a small assistance from each one of you to further push this program through. We are thinking in terms of annual memberships, life memberships and the regular Ship's Canteen of a Museum Ship. Guided tours for school and scouting groups as well as the general public will be available as we progress in our new location in Astoria, Oregon.

Thank you for your past support and we look forward to keeping you updated in the future.

Sincerely,

Gordon Smith
President
Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum

LCI 713 Restoration Continues in Scappoose

A longer commute for most volunteers was eased somewhat by walk-aboard access. However, shore side 'whiners' continued to be a problem. Most notable progress has been made in the engine room. Gerry Gilmartin completed lighting and G.Q. squawkers in the engine room and throughout the ship. Gordon Smith, LCI 43, Chad and Cory Parsons with Larry and Erik Martin have prepped and primer-white painted all tank faces and most of the bulkheads. Chief Gilbo has restored or built from parts and installed compartment call boxes throughout the ship. Sound powered station connections have been added. Gilmartin and Cory built and installed the Galley Dutch Door. John Rehder has fabricated and installed bunk stanchions in crew quarters and in troop space one. There are now twelve bunks set up in crews? quarters. John has been busy with numerous equipment mounting and welding projects. Chris Hill has contributed time towards detail painting, improving morale and generally keeping the crew from losing all vestiges of civilized society. Captain James, while distracted by organizing supplies, tools, work assignments and mediating 'issues', found time to install overhead insulation in forward deck house areas, climb to the top of the mast to rig the radio antenna and fabricate a bridge canvas frame worthy of an LCI or LCI (FF). As the last known survivor of Flotilla 24, James figures we rate flagship status. Erik Martin has continued to update the website www.AmphibiousForces.org with photos and restoration updates. Jeff White, Larry Martin and Walt James continued liaison and public relations efforts with significant developments and potential to promote the LCI 713 and the AFMM. All hands contributed to completing the black primer water line belt. The LCI 713 is now nearing its appearance in 1945.

LCI 196 Found

On 20 November, 2004, while making passage to Astoria, Oregon from St. Helens, Oregon, Walt James of the LCI 713 crew observed what first appeared to be a ruined boiler on the shore near Foss Tug Moorings at Rainier, Oregon. Lee Miles, LCI Crew and James visited the site to inspect the relic on Sunday, November 21st. Remaining tin panels over composite armor immediately revealed the remains to be 19?. Research and paint remnants suggest the third number panel to be "6" with a high degree of certainty. The discovery is likely the only defining square conn LCI in existence. The pilot house and brige are intact and a small portion of the upper bulkhead about the captain?s stateroom remain. The relic is upside down with the bridge area partially buried in sandy mud. Several interior components remain among which are the deck officer?s seat, various equipment boxes and small parts. Several follow-up visits have revealed further clues. Still visible, stenciled on the starboard side, 'Sicily', 'Okinaw'?, 'PO...?' and a 'Milk Run' bottle. The numeral panels were removed for preservation and a salvage plan devised. AFMM volunteers are intent on preserving this very significant artifact of the possibly only surviving 'Square Conn' type LCI.


The LCI 196 makes a landing in Sicily accompanied by a DUKW. (Image courtesy of National Archives)	The remains of LCI 196 today near Rainier, Oregon.

LCI 713 Relocates to Astoria, Oregon

While exploring for a potential home port for the LST 1166 and LCI (L) 713, this writer by chance ventured through a construction area to better view an old cannery complex in Astoria, Oregon. At the entrance to the causeway a sign greeted visitors and listed various developments in progress. At the lower edge a banner invited "Visitors Welcome". This led to an invitation by owner and developer Mr. Floyd Holcomb to permanently moor the LCI 713 at the 39th Street Pier. We are also planning to moor the LST 1166 when a secure mooring plan can be devised. Several months delay ensued while conflicting work schedules and Coast Guard issues were resolved. On November 18th, the Coast Guard made a final inspection and delivered our tow plan with a stamped approval. We are indebted to the Senior Inspector for his discretion in applying the "Rule Book" most casually and releasing the vessel for a transit that less experienced or "by the book" personnel would have deemed hazardous. Our Crew, with much experience and confidence in our ability to execute a safe voyage left the Scappoose mooring at approximately 1400 hours, 19 November, 2004 for an overnight berth at the St. Helens public dock. That trip was uneventful and highlighted by passing the ?D.B. Amazon?, a converted LSM and a smaller crane barge, also the forward section of an LSM. Docking and securing the ship was completed by dusk and ?Liberty? declared for all hands. Chad Parsons volunteered to stand security watch. After a short visit to an "upscale" joint whose patrons I?m certain were much relived to see our rough and ragged crew depart, we repaired for our evening?s repast at a waterfront dive named the "Bar Harbor". We ate and drank our fill as we were regaled by the seamy port?s comeliest wenches. This particular chapter in the voyage to Astoria must be retold at another time and venue to protect the guilty and the innocent. Suffice it to say that Chad Parsons was likely the only crewman to have had more than 2 hours sleep prior to the 6:00 A.M. reveille.

We departed St. Helens dock at 6:30 AM into the dawn and fog with the push tug Ramona II and Captain Clark Caffall at the helm. After backing away from the docking we discovered that despite 800 horsepower and rudders the size of Cadillac doors, and LCI will not turn into the wind. We let the wind have its way and departed up river and into the main Columbia between Warrior Rock and Sand Island. The morning was cool, foggy, and occasionally showery. Bow watch was maintained by Gilbo, Gilmartin, and Chad Parsons. Communication with the bridge was maintained by the ship?s sound-powered phones and from the bridge to tug by radio. Reports from inbound vessels reported fog but that improvement seemed likely. Gordon Smith, LCI 43 and acting C.O. James manned the conn for the majority of the voyage. Nearing Rainier, as the shorelines and river ahead were observed, what appeared to be possibly an old boiler was seen on the south shore. A flat-sided, tipped, rusted ruin with round ports did not immediately reveal its heritage. In a moment of recognition this writer leapt to the truth. I was looking at the pilot house and bridge of a square con LCI upside down on the beach! I called on the sound powered phone and below to any hands in ear shot to witness this discovery. Erik Martin was able to get a single image photo now displayed on the website.

Passing by Rainier we sighted the LST 1166 to port down in the Dibble Point Channel. All appeared secure. Fall work details have greatly improved the appearance of the superstructure, now haze gray replacing the rust and Panamanian (CIA?) white.

The weather continued to improve as the day slowly warmed and the skies cleared. The river and shore side scenery was dramatic as the Columbia Channel left the realm of flood plain islands and side channels for the cliff sides of long ago battles with the Coast Range. Given time, water will always win over rock.

Nearing Astoria, Larry Martin came on the bridge for a further update about our estimated time of arrival. A favorable tide and good speed had pushed our hoped-for arrival before dark to 15:00 hours. Now out in the tidal flats of the Columbia, under fair and sunny skies and with several miles of water to any shore, Larry commented that the LCI 713 had not seen such an expanse of water in over 50 years, having last passed this way about 1948 on the way to Stevenson, Washington.

We docked at the 39th St. Pier greeted by a welcoming crowd. The first line went down at 15:00 hours completing a milestone towards a return to the sea.

The LCI 713 coming into dock at Astoria's Pier 39.
(Image courtesy of Pier 39.)

Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum Update

Dave Spinks, founding officer and veteran volunteer aboard the LCI 713 restoration project, requested that he be relieved of duty to spend more family time and double up on his workout routine. Mark Stevens, the discoverer of the 713 in Stevenson, Washington, has volunteered to be Secretary-Treasurer, Dave McKay, Jr. is Vice President and Gordon Smith, LCI 43, remains as President. Dave McKay recently received IRS confirmation of our application with a temporary I.D. number from the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. The intent of this application will be to give the Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum an exemption from federal income tax. The letter indicates an approximately 120 day timeline for further action with the admonition to check in if response is not forthcoming. The millstones of bureaucracy turn slowly. Hopefully, we will be up and running in early 2005. Readers are invited to return membership applications and reserve those coveted double 00 and two-digit member numbers. All amphibious ship veterans will have their ship number follow. The www.AmphibiousForces.org website will list members unless they request to be omitted.