Color This Eyesore Gone

For a very long time now, this old boat has enjoyed a prominent berth at West Neck Marina. It was moored directly across from the marina store and was among the first things your eyes usually settled on as you came around the corner of the store. That all ended this afternoon, though, when a crew in a Boston whaler and a jonboat showed up to push/tow the old craft away.

According to Steve, the boat was being taken downriver to that business located on what I've always referred to as the "grain canal." The plans then call for it to be lifted out of the water with a giant crane and dismantled. As you can tell by this first photo, Steve was anxious to get rid of the old eyesore--so anxious that he dismantled the platform in his hand from the stern so that the pusher jonboat could get close enough to attach lines.

What follows is a pictorial display of the operation as I captured it in the lens of my camera.

The tow/pusher boats start attaching lines.

The tow/pusher boats maneuver into their initial positions.

The old eyesore starts moving for the first time in who knows how long.

 



Oops! The bow is grounded.

 



Free at last!

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Clearing the ramp area.

 

Momentary loss of control.



Back in control.



 

Turned and heading up and out of the creek.

 

I know at least one person who is saying, "Good riddance!"