‘F.D. Crockett’ nears restoration milestone
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What’s that noise?
With four and a half years of painstaking work behind them, Deltaville Maritime Museum’s project director John England and his all-volunteer “Crocketteers” hope “that noise” is the sweet rumble of the 671 Detroit Diesel engine of the “F.D. Crockett” and the restored buyboat is ready to move under her own power and direction.
“There have been a lot of noises in the process of the Crockett’s restoration. We’ve had everything from the pounding of sledges, buzzing of saws, clicking of chisels and humming of cranes, but there will be no sound quite as sweet as that big diesel when she first kicks over,” said England.
“All the control systems are in place. The fuel tank beds and piping are in. The shaft and prop have been aligned and installed. Bubbie Crown of Crown Marine is contributing his time to install the electrical system. Keith Ruse of Deltaville Boat Yard is donating the time and the materials to put in the raw water and fuel systems and to reconfigure the two 100-gallon fuel tanks donated by Ron Turner. The start-up could happen any day now,” continued England.
All are encouraged to come out and take a look at the progress of the Crockett, which is at the Deltaville Maritime Museum Pierwalk. Not only are major inroads being made on the power train, but work is progressing on the restoration of the pilot house interior, hatches and hardware.
Ron Turner, the donor of the boat, has been bringing “new” old hardware after polishing it up and getting it gorgeous for future installation.
“We still are in need of a GPS system and VHF radio for our instrumentation. We’re hoping someone who’s upgrading their own boat’s system will donate their usable electronics. Of course, we still and will need monetary donations as well. We are a long way from a finished restoration,” said Bill Powell, the museum’s USCG Captain. “I can’t wait to take her out!”
The F.D. Crockett restoration, a major long-term project by Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park, has so far only been possible through local donations and thousands of volunteer hours. An incredibly similar restoration project by Mystic Seaport on Long Island Sound had a budget of well over $2 million.
“All the folks on the Middle Peninsula should be extremely proud of what John and his museum volunteers have accomplished,” said boat shop director Chuck McGhinnis. “We kinda feel like ‘The Little Museum That Could.’ ”
Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park, an-all volunteer, all-donation, non-profit organization, is in Deltaville, at 287 Jackson Creek Road and by water on Mill Creek. Turn right across from Thrift-Mart Shell station. Holly Point Nature Park, the Pierwalk, and all outside facilities are open dawn to dusk throughout the year.
Visit the Deltaville Maritime Museum online. A blog detailing the F.D. Crockett’s restoration can be found on the Community Pages. The museum phone number is 776-7200.
Check out this slideshow of the F.D. Crockett’s restoration project from last year.