Waterfront Museum in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, NY

Captain's Log, 8.01.02

The Museum's historic preservation project is moving along nicely. With the arrival of wood planking almost a month behind the anticipate schedule allowed time for the crew to tear out all planking that needed to be replaced, survey the exposed frames and add support the barge's structure by sistering or sandwiching numerous weak areas with 3" X 12" bottom planking salvaged from the harbor and brought to drydock on the barge's deck. Wooden spiles or square shaped dowel rods are driven into spike holes and cut off flush to frames. The entire exposed frame surfaces were coated with Bulldog Fibered Roof Coating donated by Palmer Asphalt of Bayonne.

This summer, our floating museum is undergoing a drydock campaign to repair shipworm damage and protect the hull from further deterioration. We need additional funds to complete the work so please consider a contribution. Now you can contribute by credit card, contributions of $1,000 or more can receive tax credits
Captain's Log, 8.01.02 The Museum's historic preservation project is moving along nicely. With the arrival of wood planking almost a month behind the anticipate schedule allowed time for the crew to tear out all planking that needed to be replaced, survey the exposed frames and add support the barge's structure by sistering or sandwiching numerous weak areas with 3" X 12" bottom planking salvaged from the harbor and brought to drydock on the barge's deck. Wooden spiles or square shaped dowel rods are driven into spike holes and cut off flush to frames. The entire exposed frame surfaces were coated with Bulldog Fibered Roof Coating donated by Palmer Asphalt of Bayonne.
Three side frames 10' X 10" X 12" were replaced. Two 11' X 6" X 12" and two 11' X 8" X 12" stern frames were in very bad condition and needed complete replacement. All side planking was rebolted through the existing frames with galvanized bolts. Over 600 lbs of Oakum has been prepared by pulling it apart into a softened consistency and is being used for caulking the plank seams. After reefing out all the old caulking, the seams were re-caulked, horsed back tight and then painted and sealed with Underwater Seam Compound donated by Petitt Paints.
Approximately 200 Long-leaf yellow pine planks with a value of $25,000 finally arrived on July 13th. They were part of a Georgia plantation that was being forested for development. In just about two weeks, the 30' X 3" X 12" bottom planks were installed. Each plank had one side planed down to provide an "V" shape 1 1/2" seam for caulking. Edges and butt ends were painted with Red Oxide Primer and the frames were coated, embedding the planks in tar. Using rollers along the ways, the planks were moved into place where they were jacked up and secured in place with clamps and hydraulic pumps. Holes were pre-drilled for the 8" and 10" spikes and the heads were recessed to allow for a smooth surface to sheath with the donated high-impact, chemical resistant thermoplastic 4' X 8' Kydex sheeting. For more information on this wonderful material, visit Kleerdex Company, LLC - Kydex®. Spikes are being driven with an air hammer by the crew working under the barge that sits 4' off the drydock floor.
It is estimated that the bow and stern will be re-planked and the barge will be floated and moved five feet the week of August 10th in order to replace the planks upon which we sit at the moment. We expect to complete the lower hull package here in the Waterford's NY State Canal Corporation's Drydock facility by September 6th, 2002. At that time we will travel to the town dock and be on display for the Tugboat Round-up. Shortly thereafter we will return to our Red Hook, Brooklyn homeport.
Funds raised to date total $155,000. Donated construction supplies/services are estimated at $45,000. In addition, close to $100,000 has been donated in-kind by volunteers who have dedicated hours of time in support of this project. The museum is continuing our fundraising efforts to secure an additional $70,000 to complete the lower hull package that can only be done in drydock. Two loans have been acquired from the Fund for the City of NY and Independence Community Foundation to cover expenses in the meantime. Other repairs to complete the upper hull package will require additional funding but can be completed while afloat upon our return to Brooklyn. The preservation project has been documented both in film and still photography and will be produced in the coming year as an exhibition and slide show presentation.