shamrock
14th July 2009, 11:26
It was the fastest hydrofoil in the world. Now, the Fresh-1 is corroding in obscurity behind a local warehouse.
Boeing and J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding of Tacoma built the research vessel for the Navy in 1963 for about $2 million. It looked like a space capsule attached to two huge pontoons, and it could fly.
An unusual craft with an interesting story, it has been wasting away for decades. Even if it’s historically worth saving, a restoration is getting more expensive by the day. And owner Dave Symington, who turned 91 this month, has many other interests demanding his time.
“It’s another thing on my mind, and it jumps off my mind once in a while,” he said. “I’ve got to put (the craft) somewhere else.”
...cont.../..
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/jul/13/historic-navy-hydro-in-need-of-a-final-home/
Boeing and J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding of Tacoma built the research vessel for the Navy in 1963 for about $2 million. It looked like a space capsule attached to two huge pontoons, and it could fly.
An unusual craft with an interesting story, it has been wasting away for decades. Even if it’s historically worth saving, a restoration is getting more expensive by the day. And owner Dave Symington, who turned 91 this month, has many other interests demanding his time.
“It’s another thing on my mind, and it jumps off my mind once in a while,” he said. “I’ve got to put (the craft) somewhere else.”
...cont.../..
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/jul/13/historic-navy-hydro-in-need-of-a-final-home/