We have received a wonderfully warm welcome in St. Louis.  We were greeted by Mayor Francis Slay, and there's been terrific television and front-page newspaper coverage. 

On Sunday, June 29, we had yet another record-breaking crowd, receiving 2,195 guests on board.  We expect even larger crowds during St. Louie's July 4th Fair.  The crew is ready. 

We have been working on streamlining the tour, in order to eliminate congestion problems.  And we've learned that in order to keep things moving smoothly, our tour guides need to stick to the facts about the ship, and quench the urge to indulge in personal sea stories.  We hope that this will make for a much more pleasurable experience for our visitors. 

Thank you, St. Louis!  It's wonderful to be here with you! 

  ~ Capt. Bob Jornlin, CO, LST-325

USS LST-325 1720 CDT 27 JUN 03 SITREP (R272320 JUN 03). POSITION. The ship is in St. Louis, arriving late in the afternoon (6/26), immediately south of the EADS Bridge on the 180-mile mark. Passed with flying colors by the Fire Marshal and US Coast Guard. Today, Captain Jornlin and crew hosted Mayor Francis Slay, City of St. Louis; CDR Edwin Burdick, Commanding Officer, Navy Recruiting District St. Louis, Mr. Paul Heunsch, Energizer, Corporate Sponsor, and the US Naval Academy Alumni Association-- plus a good showing for the number of visitors coming aboard (first day). 

A very emotional event took place with some crewmembers, volunteers, visitors with a WWII veteran ... the USS LST-325 istruly honored ... a survivor of Pearl Harbor reported aboard. He sent "chills" through those that listened to his recount of being below deck on the morning of December 7, 1941 ... hearing explosions, running up on the deck -- only to realize they were under deadly attack.  The USS LST-325 is humbled by his presence. 

Weather: Temperature 82 degrees, Humidity 48%, Wind SW 13 mph, Barometer 30 steady, Dew point 61 degrees, and visibility 10 miles. Tonight: Clear, 66 degrees. 

Tomorrow: There will be weather ... mostly sunny, high 87 degrees, and light north wind. 

     ~ Bill Kaupas

USS LST-325 0540 CDT 26 JUN 03 SITREP (R261040Z JUN 03). POSITION. The Ship is at the 155-mile mark south of St. Louis and will arrive early afternoon. It has been an uneventful evening on the river (although it has rained heavily throughout the night). Just like the way the OOD, BMOW, and MOW like it, but the Lookouts were a little wet. Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, cold and hot cereal, juice, and joe. 

The crew will hit the deck, triced up and turn to in preparation for entering port. 

The weather today: After heavy rains throughout the night it will be overcast through the morning, but gradual clearing by the afternoon. Dry high pressure will move into the region with temperatures of 79 degrees. Expect N winds 14 to 18 with gust of 25 mph. 

Current: Temperature 74 degrees, overcast, S 9 mph, dew point 72 degrees, barometer 29.91 and steady, and visibility 10 miles. 

     ~ Bill Kaupas

USS LST-325 2200 CDT 24 JUN 03 SITREP (R250300Z JUN 03) POSITION: The Captain set the "sea detail" and shortly thereafter the ship was underway. The 325 pulled out of Cape Girardeau 10 hours early at 2200L to take advantage of the pusher tug availability.  The 5-day port of call in Cape Girardeau was a great success. Record visitors came aboard, resulting in two consecutive record setting days -- reaching nearly 1,900 visitors in a 7½ hour period. Cape Girardeau is great ... We thank you. 

The ship took on commissary stores, topped off its fresh water tanks, new crewmembers reported aboard for duty, some honorably discharged, and a few re-enlisted (retention rate is high). Each port of call requires an "all hands" effort by the LST-325’s Operations and Logistics Group (OLG). These dedicated people go out ahead of the ship months in advance and certainly weeks before and work out the details for shore power, water, trash pickup, equipment parts, daily events and ceremony schedules aboard ship, to laundry pickup, and much more. We are now at D+22 days on the river, with 55 DELTA ahead -- completing 3 cities with 6 to go. The ship and crew are well. 

Next port of call: Saint Louis -- The Gateway to the West. LST-325 will conduct a "Salute to Freedom" under the Arch, during the 3-day Fair St. Louis scheduled July 3rd, 4th and 5th. We are scheduled to depart July 7, 2003. 

     ~ Bill Kaupas

R250300Z JUN 03 
FM BOB JORNLIN, C.O., LST-325 MUSEUM/MEMORIAL SHIP 
TO WEBSKIPPER, LSTMEMORIAL.ORG 
SUBJ UNDERWAY REPORT 
UNCLAS 

BT 

1. 2200 HOURS AND UNDERWAY FOR ST. LOUIE. 

2. WHAT A GREAT CITY AND WHAT GREAT PEOPLE -- NONE OF US WANTS TO LEAVE  CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI -- BUT DUTY CALLS. 

3. ST. LOUIS, HERE WE COME!  WE PLAN TO ARRIVE WEDNESDAY NIGHT, JUNE 25TH. 

4. ON THIS NORTHERNMOST LEG OF OUR JOURNEY WE ARE BEING PUSHED BY THE BIG ALOIS LUHR TUG, 8000 HP AND THE BIGGEST AND BEST IN THE LUHR BROTHERS FLEET.  LUHR BROTHERS HAS DONE A GREAT JOB FOR LST-325. 

5. TODAY WE AGAIN SHOWED WELL OVER 1000 VISITORS AROUND THE LST. FOR THE HOSPITALITY AS WELL AS THE GREAT RECEPTION, WE EXTEND A GREAT BIG "THANK YOU" TO ALL OF THE "CAPE". 

BT 

     ~ Capt. Bob Jornlin, C.O., LST-325

Posted 24 June 2003
 

Thanks to the LST volunteers for an opportunity to see a great historic vessel!  We visited LST 325 June 21, 2003 and took some photos.  Thought you might be able to use them somewhere.  As you can see, young and old (the lady in red was 90+ years old) enjoyed the tour. 

The LST 325 is such a huge project.  I was glad to see a lot of interest Saturday.  Although they were happy to have a crowd, I think the poor guys giving the tours were getting overworked!  We really appreciated the time they took to explain things.  We had a great time!  I wish you all success toward restoring LST 325 to its former glory. 

     ~ David W. Gilbert
 
 

R 222330Z JUN 03 
FM BOB JORNLIN, C.O., LST-325 MUSEUM/MEMORIAL SHIP 
TO WEBSKIPPER LSTMEMORIAL.ORG 
UNCLAS 

BT 

1. SUNDAY, JUNE 22ND HAS BEEN ANOTHER RECORD DAY FOR VISITORS TOURING THE LST-325 -- WITH 1859 TOTAL, PLUS SEVERAL ADDITIONAL PEOPLE ON DECK FOR THE WWII AWARDS CEREMONY. 

2. THE AWARDS CEREMONY WAS IMPRESSIVE, WITH 29 WWII VETERANS RECEIVING STATE OF MISSOURI RECOGNITION AWARDS. PRESENTING THE AWARDS WERE MAJOR DOUGLAS S. COCHRAN, COMMANDING OFFICER, US MARINE CORPS RECRUITING STATION, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES ROD JETTON AND JASON CROWELL. THE MAIN DECK CEREMONY INCLUDED POSTING THE COLORS, HAND SALUTE, RIFLE SQUAD AND RETIRING THE COLORS. IT WAS AN HONOR FOR LST-325 AND ITS CREW TO HOST THIS EVENT. 

3. THE FAME OF LST-325 PRECEDES IT AS WE MOVE ALONG IN OUR 2003 MEMORIAL CRUISE ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI AND OHIO RIVERS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING ST. LOUIS NEXT, FOLLOWED BY EVANSVILLE AND JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA, PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, AND NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA. 

4. THE HOSPITALITY SHOWN TO LST-325 BY THE PEOPLE OF CAPE GIRARDEAU HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL IN ALL RESPECTS. MONDAY NIGHT WE LOOK FORWARD TO A BBQ DINNER BEING HOSTED BY CHUCK MARTIN AND HIS STAFF FROM THE CAPE GIRARDEAU VISITORS BUREAU. MEMBERS OF THE CREW ARE ENJOYING THE DIVERSE EVENING OPTIONS IN CAPE GIRARDEAU AS WELL -- INCLUDING AN ASSORTMENT OF RIVERFRONT DINING ESTABLISHMENTS AND THE OPEN AIR SUMMER CONCERTS ON THE VERY SPACIOUS, ABUNDANTLY TREED LAWN OF THE CITY COURTHOUSE. 

BT 

NNNN 

     ~ Capt. Bob Jornlin, C.O., LST-325

         via Tom Pendarvis, Radioman,
          LST-325 and ex-ETN2, USN

  - LST-325 SITREP from Bill Kaupas
  - River Cruise Report from Michael Smith
 

LST-325 SITREP from Bill Kaupas

USS LST-325 1853 CDT 21 JUN 03 SITREP (211353Z JUN 03).  POSITION.  City of Cape Girardeau, upper Mississippi at the 52-mile mark, and immediately north of Cape Girardeau Bridge.  Plan of the day consisted of a few working parties, public tours, and an official visit. The ship is on shore power -- this has provided some respite in port for the Fireman, LPO and the Chief of Engineering.  Laundry was picked up early this morning and stores bought aboard. 

The ship received an official visit from the LCDR Willie Stigler, Commanding Officer Naval Reserve Center, Cape Girardeau, and his staff. The Commander presented the ship a plaque, toured the vessel and pronounced the ship and crew "squared away and ready for fleet duty." 

The citizens of Cape Girardeau have been wonderful hosts.  They have opened their city to us and made us feel very welcome.  The number of visitors today was a record -- very heavy with a line forming at the brow before opening. 

     ~ Bill Kaupas

[Ed. note: The Southeast Missourian covered the arrival of LST-325 in Cape Girardeau.  They have some very nice pictures posted at http://www.semissourian.com/photogallery/warship/.  They are well worth viewing.  Thanks to Fred Lynch, Staff Photographer, for giving the heads up on these.]

River Cruise Report from Michael Smith
Comments on working aboard the LST 325

I just wanted to say how hard everyone is working and that there is a vast amount more work going on than just being tour guides.  The advance people doing all the preliminary work are doing great.  Not to mention the fact that once the ship arrives, they work double time filling in both the public affairs role and the logistical role of supporting the ship with supply and laundry runs.  The crew of the ship is working very long hours.  I worked in the galley for my first 10 days or so.  Days there begin between 5:00 and 5:30 and end around 6:30 in the evening.  Bill Arras, one of mechanical geniuses and head cook for this trip, spends most of that time in the galley taking only a few quick breaks.  The crew is also up this early, if in port cleaning and checking the ship so that it is safe for visitors, and if underway getting into some heavier cleanup and maintenance jobs.  The tough part is that the ship doesn’t mind whether she is in port or not, and sometimes she demands care even after a long hot day of giving tours.  Engines, pipes, pumps and motors always call for attention.  There are gauges to monitor and things to check 24 hours a day when the ship is operational.  So for some, that day that began at 5:30 doesn’t end until late in the evening.  If you’re the one with the mid-watch, then you might be able to catch a cat-nap in the late afternoon.  Then when the call comes at 5:30 for help on deck with lines or to make preparations for giving tours, you oftentimes wish for just a few minutes more sleep.  What little extra time there is is spent calling home, running ashore for supplies or resting sore and swollen feet. 

The response from those individuals I toured, both LST veterans and general public alike, were resounding.  People are interested, impressed and fascinated by the ship, its story and LST’s in general.  So for everyone who has worked so hard in any capacity on the LST 325 the fruits of your labor are reaping benefits for the ship.  All that work is paying off.  More people are learning about us and want to support the ship.  I received promises of new people reporting for work in Chickasaw.  If just a few of those do follow through, I know my time and effort was well spent. 

My 18 days aboard the ship were not easy, it was hard work.  But the rewards and experiences were great. 

     ~ Michael Smith

[Ed. note: Be sure to see Michael's terrific pictures posted immediately below!]

ROSIE THE RIVETER DANCE PLANNED!   Posted 21 June 2003

EVANSVILLE, IN. - In a few short weeks, Evansville will welcome the historic LST 325 as it docks here for 11 days during the Sentimental Voyage of 2003.  From July 11-22, Evansville's Riverfront will be reminiscent of the mid-1940s when 167 LSTs were launched down the Ohio River for service in WWII.  Over 19,000 employees of Evansville's Shipyard worked around the clock to produce more of these "Workhorses  of the Navy" than any other inland builder, allowing the shipyard to proudly fly the significant Army-Navy "E" flag honoring our wartime workers. 

On Sunday, July 13, the Evansville LST Committee wants to salute these men and women of the Evansville Shipyards as well as the men that served aboard the LSTs.  We invite them, their descendants and the public to our "Rosie the Riveter Dance" from 7-10PM at Elliott's at Marina Pointe. 

Music will be provided by The Temple Aires who will dedicate the evening to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Harry James and other big bands of the 30s and 40s.  The dance is open to the public free of charge but donations are welcome.  Come join us for an evening of song, stories and sentimental journeys. 

For more information, call Laura Libs of The Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau at (812) 421-2200 or (800) 433-3025 or visit their website at www.evansvillecvb.org.

USS LST-325 0800 CDT 20 JUN 03 SITREP (201300Z JUN03).  POSITION.  LST-325 is making her way towards the City of Cape Girardeau and is expected to arrive at 0930 CDT.  The ship will berth at the 52-mile mark, immediately north of the Cape Girardeau Bridge.  They are now in the Upper Mississippi River -- the mile marks start over at Cairo, Illinois. 

The crew has worked for the last few days to prepare for "open house" and reconfigure the gangways to assist the volume of visitors.  The Luhr Bros. Company provided their Fleet Yard, its personnel, and materials for this endeavor. And the planning support received of the City’s Convention Visitors Bureau cannot be overstated.  It is times like this that you realize you’ll never be able to repay so much kindness from others ... thank you from USS LST-325. 

The crew and ship are well. 

Best regards, 

     ~ Bill Kaupas, SM2

R 182300Z JUN 03 
FROM: R. JORNLIN, C.O., LST-325, UNDERWAY MISSISSIPPI 
TO: JIM ANDERSON, LSTMEMORIAL WEB-SKIPPER 
SUBJ: MEMPHIS PORT VISIT 

UNCLAS 
BT 

1. We had a very successful visit in Memphis.  Large numbers of veterans and their extended families came aboard for a visit.  Many former LST crew members were included amongst our visitors.  Additionally, several folks came aboard for a tour simply because they were interested in seeing the interior of an LST that had been in the D-Day invasion force. 

2. Rear Admiral Tomaszeski, Commander, Navy Personnel Command, and his staff came aboard for a tour.  Also visiting was Colonel Jack Sherer, US Army, District Commander, US Corps of Engineers.  We were delighted that they could make it. 

3. Jim Ingram of the Tennessee Amphib Association contributed in several significant ways to our successful visit.  Also our thanks goes to Captain Hal Pierce who got the advance publicity going with newspapers and TV stations.  We also wish to acknowledge the contributions of Mary Schmitz of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Mr. Trey Guintini of the Mud Island facility.  Their help was invaluable and made our visit a resounding success. 

4. Members of the crew went ashore in the evenings and delighted in riding the Mud Island sky tram and Memphis trolley, and eating at local establishments like Corky's Barbecue. 

5. Our position is mile marker 862 as of 5:30 PM Central time.  We passed Caruthersville earlier this afternoon.  The passenger vessel Mississippi Queen passed Southbound on our starboard side at about 2 PM today.  Weather is overcast and pleasantly cool.  Bill Arras has a great dinner waiting -- Bill's special roast, garlic mashed potatoes, peas, ship salad and pineapple jello.

Captain's message sent by
Tom Pendarvis, LST Radio
Operator, formerly ETN-2, USN
and a Navy-Marine Corps
MARS radio operator. 
Tom (home call - W0MTP)
advises that amateur (ham)
radio operations, subject to
propagation conditions, are
being conducted on 14.250
MHz (and up) in the late AM
and early PM, then on 7.250
MHz (and up) after 8 PM
Central. LST-325's station
callsign is WW2LST, Maritime
Mobile. 

Photo credits: Tom Pendarvis

7. Special (and ongoing) thanks to Luhr Brothers of Columbia, IL.  They have provided push boats, barges for our entry tent and gangways, and a very substantial crane for moving our stairs and gangways into position. While we've been in port, their boats and crews have looked very capably after our moorings as the river level has risen and fallen throughout each port visit.  And we wish to further thank Luhr Brothers, in advance of our arrival in Cape Girardeau, for the special new visitors' boarding stairs they have constructed for us there.  Without Luhr Brothers, Kirby, Madison Coal & Barge and ACBL, thousands of veterans and other LST lovers would never have seen, or been able to revisit, a venerable and distinguished WW2 craft of the LST class. 

BT 

     ~ Capt. Bob Jornlin and Tom Pendarvis

LST-325 SITREP
18 June 2003

USS LST-325 1400 CDT 18 JUN 03 SITREP (1900Z 19JUN03) POSITION.  Just passed under Highway 412/155 bridge (840 mile mark).  This bridge crosses over the Mississippi River from Missouri to Tennessee.  The ship is between the bridge and Caruthersville, MO, at the 842-mile mark.  Ship and crew are well. 

Quartermasters & O Level Navigators Test: In the next 40 miles the ship will turn the bow south, all the while steering up river (Bow first still) for 10 miles and than turn north (Bow first) to continue steering up river ... How can this be? 

Weather: Temperature 81 degrees, Humidity 77%, Wind Speed NE 8 mph, Barometer 29.91/1012.7 mb and steady, Dew point 69 degrees, Visibility 10 miles.  Nice day to be on the river. 

       ~ Bill Kaupas, SM2
 
 

I'll sail 'er as far as Memphis! By Pat Johnston   At right: Pat Johnston sits in a jeep on the main deck

June 1st: to the ship, get one of the last empty bunks, find a locker, unpack and get squared away. 

Getting used to living surrounded by men that first night was one of waking at every cough, every snort and snore.  After lights out and everything goes quiet, the ship herself comes to life; she creaks, groans, taps and screeches in almost inaudible gasps throughout the darkened vessel. 

The ship was astir at 5am on June 2nd, grab a coffee, wait your turn at wash basins and urinals ... store your pillow and blanket, get your work clothes on, this morning we shove off! 

Our tug came alongside around 11am, by then we had tied down all the vehicles and any other loose equipment on deck and made all secure and ready for sea.  The four LCVPs were also made secure.  The tug then pushed the 325 downstream to the new dock in Mobile, the schedule called for us to be there only a short time, changing to a more powerful tug already secured with barges.  The 'short time' extended into the late afternoon as a 'good fit' was made possible between the barge and stern of the LST.  This was accomplished by pumping water into the barge's ballast tank to lower it enough to clear the 325's stern anchor guard. 

Now rigged and secured together in an impressive series of vessels, the tug, the barge and the 325; it was time to go!  With darkness approaching, however, it was decided to remain overnight at the dock. 

"All hands on deck!  Man lines fore and aft!"  The Captain's voice over the ship's speakers announced our departure from Mobile at 5.45am.  Bodies scrambled, pulling on pants and shoes ... forget washing the face and brushing teeth, that can wait ... right now, get topside! 

LST 325 finally shoved off beginning her historic voyage.  One further delay occurred after we had cleared the Dauphin Island Bridge, strong winds offshore had us hove to on the lee side of the Island until conditions improved.  We got underway again and made steady progress of around 8 knots transiting through the Intercoastal Waterway with the cities of Pascagoula, Boloxi and Gulfport all visible, and as night fell, their flickering lights gave the evening a comforting warmth. 

Sea watches had been set and I had the 1600 to 2000 lookout watch.  From there, I watched fishing boats setting and retrieving their nets, surrounded by hundreds of hungry gulls and pelicans.  A good omen for the trip.  Hundreds of pelicans had flown so close to the side of the LST 325 you could have reached out and touched them. 

The seas were calm all night and by early morning the ship was approaching the Navigation Lock through which the ship needed to sail in order to enter the Mississippi River.  The activity of sea traffic, notably barges, around New Orleans is astounding.  Tugs pushing barges, sometimes as many as 6 barges long and 6 barges wide ... 36 barges in all ... the equivalent of six one-mile-long freight trains, carry coal, grains, chemicals; endless amounts of produce for the inexhaustible industries of America and the world. 

Amid all this the 325 sailed past downtown New Orleans, past the old French Quarter, the new riverfront complex and farther on to the old warehouse district, where we hove to and added more barges, then headed upstream, joining the myriad of river traffic. 

Thursday, June 5th, the ship received a three-gun salute from the destroyer USS Kidd as we passed her in Baton Rouge.  All hands were mustered on deck and manned the starboard rail to return the honor.  Many an old, lined face had a tear rolling down the cheek as the sailors held the salute. 

The Mississippi from 'river level' is the only way to really appreciate this mightiest of mighty rivers.  A mile wide, fast flowing, an unimaginable volume of water racing to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Friday, June 6th, anniversary of D-Day 1944.  LST 325 made many trips to the beaches of Normandy on that day, and the weeks that followed, so many years ago.  She took across much needed equipment and supplies; bringing back wounded on the return run.  The day for us was spent cleaning ship getting ready for our first port-of-call, Vicksburg, Mississippi.  The ship will remain there for four days to allow visitors to tour the vessel. 

The 325 arrived too late to dock, so she was tied to the bank of the river a mile or two upstream from Vicksburg.  I pulled the 1200 to 0400 deck watch and swore I heard alligators all night in the swampy area beyond the tree line. 

Saturday morning we untied and backed downstream to Vicksburg and moored outboard of a barge to keep us off the bank.  The Harrah's casino paddle wheeler was astern of us. 

The Coast Guard inspection was thorough, and took time before permission was given to allow visitors onboard.  The gangway from the ship to the barge, and from the barge to shore took time to rig, requiring welding modifications to both gangways.  In the afternoon we opened for visitors.  The media coverage in Vicksburg was very extensive with TV and newspapers covering our arrival and Sunday was non-stop visitors from 9am until after normal closing time to allow those still wanting to see the ship onboard. 

Sunday morning started off with a bang when a dozen jeeps roared down the road with drivers and passengers all dressed in WWII uniforms ... what a sight, they were the first onboard to tour the ship. 

The heat and the humidity is draining energy from the crew, but they carry on conducting tours as well as stand their in-port watches.  A cold shower, hot supper, and the occasional beer revives tired and aching bodies ready for the next day. 

Monday continued with a steady stream of visitors, including the Mayor of Vicksburg, his visit including a ceremony on the quarterdeck with the Captain; the occasion was covered live by radio and TV.  The local radio station River 101 even provided lunch for the crew in the way of a couple of dozen large pizzas.  Food was a continual gift all day ... 20 pounds of crawfish showed up, then the U.S. Army arrived with cases of MREs (meals ready to eat).  The truth is, the ship has a very capable cook and we eat three meals a day, with the occasional cookie raid on the galley late at night. 

Amongst the visitors to the 325 are many, many veterans who served on LSTs in WWII, Korea and later years.  One elderly gentleman, who had recently suffered a stroke and was unable to tour the ship using the ladders, still insisted his wife bring him down.  He spent an hour or two just sitting in the shade on the deck and quietly looking around.  When we helped him off the ship he was presented with a ship's cap; his face lit up and a grin spread across his face.  His wife exclaimed "Oh, I wish I had a camera at this moment!" 

The 325's last day in Vicksburg continued with visitors touring the ship.  The heat and humidity drained much-needed energy from willing, but tired, bodies.  More donations were made in the form of several cases of soda, courtesy of the local VFW chapter.  The Vicksburg VFW had invited all crew members to dinner Monday night and were very helpful in many ways, including organizing tours to the local Civil War battlefields. 

"Reveille ... Reveille ... all hands on deck at 0600 ... make preparations for getting underway!"  The call woke the sleeping ship.  As I was the one on watch and ordered to make the announcement, I was the most unpopular sailor aboard for the rest of that day. 

All hands lay to and gangways were hauled in and the inboard barge removed; the ship was underway by 0730.  The 325 backed down the Yazoo River (where we had been moored) and turned her bow into the Mississippi River once more.  A light duty day was called in order to rest the crew. 

Thursday, June 12th, it rained all night and into the next morning.  The crew, unable to work on deck, lingered over a second and even third cup of coffee.  The sea stories started to come out, and became increasingly competitive between the 'snipes' and 'deck apes'.  All the stories started with "Now, this ain't no ....!" 

The remainder of Thursday was spent cleaning the deck topside, making ready for the next port-of-call ... Memphis, Tennessee.  Scuttlebutt has it the ship will arrive early and have to lay up at the Corp of Engineers dock before heading for Mud Island on Friday morning.  It turned out to be true, we did arrive early, but did not tie up at the Corp's dock, instead we lay to against the Arkansas side of the river a couple of miles downstream from Memphis. 

The 325 proceeded to her mooring site on Mud Island as scheduled on Friday morning.  Mud Island is a combination park, museum, open-air auditorium, jogging trail, all rolled into one.  A convenient spot for the ship as it's right downtown, with plenty of visibility right off Front Street.  The remainder of the day was spent setting up the barge inboard and making more permanent crowd control rope lines leading to the gangways.   A large tent was also raised on the barge to set up the gift shop, which did a roaring trade over the stay in Memphis. 

Saturday and Sunday the crowds were non-stop, despite heavy showers on Father's Day.  On the Saturday night we were treated to a free concert by the Blues Travelers who were performing on Mud Island, their stage was only a hundred feet from the bow of the ship.  A cold beer on deck, listening to free music ... not too shabby. 

One of the attractions of Mud Island is a scale model of the Mississippi River, it is called (appropriately) River Walk, and you can walk the half-mile of the exhibit and travel the entire Mississippi in scale.  Every bend, every twist and turn, all the depths and geographical topography, the towns, their histories.  The streams and rivers that flow into it ... all the way from the headwaters to New Orleans at its mouth. 

Sunday evening and my time on the LST 325 has come to an end.  I travel by bus from Memphis to New Orleans and from there fly back to Phoenix, Arizona.  The camaraderie of the crew, the thrill of sailing a proud old warship, the memories ... all will last a lifetime. 

May the crew and the LST 325 have fair winds at their backs and a following sea for the remainder of the journey. 

     ~ Pat Johnston
 

Click on the images for enlargements

Dewey Taylor on watch as the ship approaches Memphis

Rocky Hill takes a break to eat ... but not from talking!

LST-325 SITREP
18 June 2003

USS LST-325 2040 CDT 17 JUN 03 SITREP (0140Z 18JUN03).  Ship’s underway.  The 325 departed Mud Island, Memphis, this evening at 2000. Originally scheduled to leave the next morning at 0800, the 325 slipped out of her mooring at dusk, and moved slow ahead to the middle of the channel, at which time the order was given to make speed over the ground (SOG) of 8 knots or 9.2 mph.  The river current is moving fast and strong from the rains.  But LST-325 is pushing through the water at a good speed with Luhr Bros. assistance.  The ship will transit up the Mississippi and stop at the Luhr Bros.’ Fleet Yard to assemble a new configuration of the gangway.  This will permit a higher volume of visitor egress and regress.  We anticipate record turnout of visitors in Saint Louis and Evansville.  Deepest appreciation to the Luhr Bros. company for all they are doing for LST-325. 

In addition, we can use the down time -- the ship restricts the type and amount of maintenance performed during "open house" hours.  As you can imagine, maintaining a ship on the waterway for 78 days does require some general and specific PMS (Preventive Maintenance System) work.  Chipping, priming and painting -- you seamen remember. 

The ship’s Chief Purser reported another good day of attendance -- Memphis was a great port of call.  Memphis’ Mayor Willie Herenton and Captain Bob Jornlin exchanged "good will" gifts in accordance with Navy tradition.  Some crewmembers were able to visit with their spouses and other family members in Memphis.  Thank you, Memphis, for a warm welcome. 

     ~ Bill Kaupas, SM2

A personal note from the WebSkipper:  I'd like to encourage absolutely anybody and everybody to provide material for this page.  By no means are submissions here restricted to just certain individuals.  The whole purpose of this website (and especially this particular page) is to share information about our LST Memorial with the entire community.  Sitting here 2,000 miles away, I personally don't have a clue what's happening aboard the ship unless somebody tells me.  To date, I've posted absolutely every single tidbit of information that's come my way.  If you have any news to share at all, please just send me an email:  WebSkipper@LSTMemorial.Org -- all of us would be very appreciative, and we all want to know what's going on!

Legend:

Archives:

Archive for June 2003 (second half):

• 30 JUN 03 - Update from Capt. Jornlin
• 27 JUN 03 - LST-325 SITREP from Bill Kaupas
• 26 JUN 03 - LST-325 SITREP from Bill Kaupas
• 25 JUN 03 - LST-325 SITREP from Bill Kaupas
• 25 JUN 03 - Underway Report from Capt. Jornlin
• 24 JUN 03 - A Few Comments and Pictures from One of our Guests
• 23 JUN 03 - Update from Capt. Jornlin
• 22 JUN 03 - LST-325 SITREP from Bill Kaupas
• 22 JUN 03 - River Cruise Report from Michael Smith
• 21 JUN 03 - Rosie the Riveter Dance Planned!
• 20 JUN 03 - LST-325 SITREP from Bill Kaupas
• 19 JUN 03 - Update from Capt. Jornlin
• 18 JUN 03 - LST-325 SITREP from Bill Kaupas
• 18 JUN 03 - "I'll Sail 'er as far as Memphis" by Pat Johnston
• 18 JUN 03 - LST-325 SITREP from Bill Kaupas

• 14 JUN 03 - LST-325 SITREP, from Bill Kaupas
• 13 JUN 03 - LST-325 Arrives in Memphis, TN, from Bill Kaupas
• 12 JUN 03 - LST-325 Underway Reports, from Capt. Bob Jornlin and Bill Kaupas
• 10 JUN 03 - A Wonderful Reception in Vicksburg, from Bill Kaupas
• 08 JUN 03 - An Active Radio Room in Vicksburg, Photos from Bill Ford
• 06 JUN 03 - USS LST-325 is Honored by USS Kidd, from Capt. Bob Jornlin
• 04 JUN 03 - Open Letter of Appreciation from the Board of Directors
• 02 JUN 03 - Ship's Report for May, Preparation for River Cruise, from The LST River Crew

• 30 MAY 03 - That Incredible Adams Family!
• 28 MAY 03 - LST 325 Expresses Thanks to Our Towing Donors
• 24 MAY 03 - New Flags Donated to LST 325
• 15 MAY 03 - A Wonderful Wedding Aboard LST 325, from Ron Maranto
• 11 MAY 03 - Update from Ron Maranto
• 10 MAY 03 - Urgent!  Cook Needed for River Trip!
• 10 MAY 03 - Raffle Winner Announcement
• 02 MAY 03 - Update from Ron Maranto
• 01 MAY 03 - Call for Volunteer Radio Operator, from Bob Wilder

CDR Jackson Carter was LST 325's Executive Officer before and during the voyage back from Greece.  In addition to his normal duties, he was an avid ham radio operator and enjoyed communicating during his down-time with other hams all over the world.  He also maintained a website for LST 325 which included all of his situation reports, as well as  many photographs showing the hard work done in Greece getting the ship seaworthy – that site is a must-see for anyone who hopes to understand what it took to bring this ship home.  Most importantly, Mr. Carter was one of the finest human beings one could ever hope to meet.  He passed away just five weeks after finally realizing his dream.  This website now carries on the work – and the dream – where he left off, and in his memory.  Thanks, Jack ... for being you.    Fair winds!

In Memoriam Jackson Carter