Could everyone write one simple essay about something that once happened in Saltaire…that they saw or were a part of…and put it on one big website? Somebody should collect a lot of stories before we all forget. Otherwise it is like a line in “On The Beach” : The history of the war that now would never be written.” -(JO'H)

Sunday, April 17, 2011

AFTER AN APRIL STORM


pictures copyright Frank Markus

"Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia,

And therefore I forbid my tears"

--Laertes



FRANK MARKUS REPORTS ON APRIL 17:

THESE PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHT FRANK MARKUS, AND YOU CAN SEE MORE AT HIS DROP BOX SITE



Frank Markus sez:


As I write this, I am uploading the pictures that I took this morning of the wreck on West Walk beach. The address of the picture gallery is http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/317358/1/110417%20-%20Wreck%20Awash?h=82b19c. If all the (30) pictures are not available online yet, please try again later. If you run into a problem seeing the pictures, please let me know. There was a strong storm last night and the surf and tide were both high this morning. The boat was turned by the storm and the bow is now pointing (more or less) to the ocean and the stern, toward shore. It's hard to tell if the boat is in deeper water or has dug itself in deeper. Both are possible. In any case, the boat seems to be listing a bit less than it was before the storm and most waves are now washing over it. Although heavy plywood covers have bolted over the hatches, it seems likely that the storm and surf are doing serious damage. It's not possible to tell for sure now but the hull seems to be intact. There are lots of rumors about what will be done with the boat. I have been told that it was listed on Craigslist for $15,000. There are also reports that the owner is getting the (many) necessary permits required to truck the boat off on a flatbed truck. The boat and truck would be much heavier than the legal limit for the bridge between Fire and Captree Islands. That bridge is already in very bad shape and is scheduled to be rebuilt or replaced. Since it is the only link between the West end of Fire Island and the rest of America and it would be a disaster if it were closed just before the summer season. If the boat cannot be removed by the owner -- there is no insurance -- it's not clear who would be responsible for removing it. Saltaire says that since the boat is below the high water mark, it is a state (or federal/National Seashore) responsibility. What those entities (and their various agencies) say remains to be seen. Please feel free to share the pictures but not to remove the copyright notices.

New photos here: http://tugster.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/ashore-4/





9 comments:

jimmy said...

If they can get it on a flatbed, but not over the bridge, why can't they take the flatbed onto a barge? Too expensive, I guess.
It looks too late now.

BEAVER said...

Is it too late to put a FOR RENT - OCEANFRONT PROPERTY sign on it for the upcoming season??

Come on all you Saltaire Realtors - if Marie Bitzer were still alive she would have had it rented the day it washed up on the beach.

Capt. Mike said...

Frank:

Thanks for posting the latest photos. I've been thinking about how sad it is after all the places this boat has traveled to that this may be the end of it's journey. I hope not. It would be great to see it sail again if it can.

Anonymous said...

saltaire-- thanks for running the fotos. Frank's high tide sunday morning shots are great; a contrast can be seen on my blog . . tugster. http://tugster.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/ashore-4/i hope plans result in moving this vessel off the beach and into restoration soon.

Richardinhingham said...

This is quite a tragedy for the owner, and very sad to see the progression from "sailing onto the beach with all sails set" to fully submerged. Perhaps the ocean will taker her out beyond the farther bar and let her rest there. Doesn't look like anyone else is going to move her.

Anonymous said...

D

Thanks for the up-date's

Anonymous said...

Now there will be a movement to restore Le Pappillon- a walk by walk - door to door collection plate in the village this summer or to get it off the beach

Anonymous said...

ANYONE HAVE A CUTTING TORCH AND A TANK OF OXYACETYLENE?

vinnysahi said...

Lets have a fundraiser party ? Bring food and beer and charge at the door. Common u salataire sailors.. open the bar of the club now for the the party!!!

Vinny Sahi