Hurricane Agnes, July 1972, Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania USCG Flood Relief

 I recently ran across this document copy in my service record, dated 27 June, 1972 from the OIC (Officer-In-Charge) of Townsend Inlet Station, Townsend Inlet, N.J. To Commander Coast Guard Group Cape May

I was the Senior Petty Officer on this mission.  Trailering the 17 footer (CG 17194) to Wilkes-Barre in response to request for CG assistance.  

This was quite an assignment for us  - The letter gives a daily account of where we were and what we were doing - - We were also involved in searching for Coffins from the Forty Fort Cemetery that had been swept away - -  

Below is the only photo of the CG 17194 from Townsend Inlet, that I can find,  this was a photo from a (Circa) 1972 full color 15 page USCG Recruiting pamphlet, with myself at wheel and another Petty Officer on ICW in front of Townsend Inlet Boat House - - 

PLANE CRASH, MARCH 11, 2015

SEE "LAKEEXPO" PLANE CRASH ARTICLE  - - CLICK HERE

TOWBOAT SONAR SHOT,  PLANE UPSIDE DOWN IN 30ft WATER

TOWBOAT Captain & Diver, Tim McNitt being interviewed by Media  during recovery

Black Thunder Vs Shore - - Shore won - -

Two injured when boat runs aground;

See Lake Expo article HERE

This nice 32 foot, 1990 Black Thunder lays on her Starboard side,
Sunk in about 7 foot of water near shore early Saturday morning,  June 7

She suffered extensive hull damaged near keel line, mid-ships,
Starboard side.

Atlantis Dive (Tim McNItt) attaches air bags to
stern.

Now floating on air bags, she is pulled closer to shore
to complete rigging.

Due to extensive underwater damage, she could not be
Dewatered on scene, 3 more bags were added
and she was towed to Silver Sands Marina floating on the Lift Bags

At ramp @ Silver Sands,  she was trailered by
and turned over to PRO-BOAT Marine,
Sunrise Beach for holding and motor preservation

The "COMMANDER" Excursion Boat leaves the Dam (with a little help)

This 1960's Postcard reads:
“The "Commander" Excursion boat on the Lake of the Ozarks, seating 150 passengers, leaving the Dam area several times daily.”

Built in 1961 by DUBUQUE BOAT & BOILER CO this sleek, steel hull 62 foot Excursion boat was built for the Casino Pier operation on Lake of the Ozarks.  WIth a beam of nearly 15 foot and a draft of over 6 foot.  The 23 ton "COMMANDER" was quite a sight as she cut through the waters of Lake of the Ozarks on daily excursions from the dam.

The Commander shows off her modern lines and striking paint in this late '60's shot

Today, somewhat worse for wear and needing a little "tug", the proud COMMANDER left its long time home near the dam, headed for the Gravois Arm, to be reborn and perhaps brought back to her previous good looks.  Now privately owned and cared for - - we hope to see her back on the lake under power and PROUD - - - -

"Commander" leaving the "strip" on its 16 mile journey to Gravois Mills

Leaving home

Tandem TowBoats,  'Two-String" cruising at 7.8 mph with the Commander following a
few hundred feet behind

SAFELY MOORED AND SNUGGED TO DOCK AT NEW TEMPORARY HOME!

"GRAND GLAIZE" MEMORIAL CEREMONY, MAY 28, 2014 - Four Mile Mark - Lake of the Ozarks

The Memorial Wreath quietly rests on Lake of the Ozarks

Special Guests and Attendees prepare to depart

PLAYIN - HOOKY Water Taxi generously provided by
Captain Jim Bascue for a comfortable ride to the 4 MM for
Memorial Service

Guests enjoying beautiful trip to the 4 Mile Mark aboard
Playin Hooky

Special guest,  Sunrise Beach Fire & Police Department Chaplain
Steven Myers and his wife Julie.  Chaplain Myers offered our
Memorial Service closing Prayer

Captain Dave Anderson & USCG Auxilarist  Ernie Venis on TOWBOAT 4701
Standing by near the spot where the "Grand Glaize" capsized 60 years ago
with OSAGE BEACH FIREBOAT "MARINE 11"

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Water Patrol Division
was represented by MSHP "TROOP F" Commander
Captain Gregory Kindle and "Troop F"  LT Clardy, Corporal Scott White
and Trooper Shannon Bledsoe 

Osage Beach "MARINE 11" Releases the wreath on the waters
at about 2:30 p.m., the approximate time of capsizing -

Captain Johnson, TowBoat 4704 maneuvers close to wreath for
Media photographers

THE SERVICE AND READING WAS CONDUCTED BY
CAPTAIN CHARLES MEYER WITH CLOSING
PRAYER BY CHAPLAIN STEVEN MYERS

THE MEMORIAL WREATH
drifts quietly on the spot not far from where tragedy struck
SIXTY YEARS AGO

As the service concludes - the wreath is carefully broken up and
the flowers are set adrift - -

PHOTO'S BY JULIE MYERS & LAURA MEYER

THE SERVICE CLOSED WITH THE FOLLOWING THOUGHT - - -

 Please remember as we depart here today - -

NOT FAR FROM THIS VERY PLACE - IN THE DARKNESS  - 100 FEET BELOW ARE THE REMAINS OF A 16 YEAR OLD GIRL WHO TOOK A 15 MINUTE BOAT RIDE INTO ETERNITY AND A 22 YEAR OLD YOUNG MAN WHO WAS ENJOYING A FUN DAY ON THE WATER - - THEY ARE NOW FOREVER INTERRED IN THE DEPTHS BELOW - - (ALONG WITH OTHERS WE MAY NEVER KNOW)

PLEASE BOAT SMART AND BOAT SAFE - -

THANK - YOU