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)

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Skinner's Last Ride

1969:
The final walk

 Then he rode off into the sunset
Pics by either Frank Mina or Phil Keane Jr.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Into the sunset? Captain Al would have run aground on Farm Shoals if he had attempted such a directional path........

Anonymous said...

no radar or GPS on this vessel for Capt. Skinner. Just knew the waters/ Great South Bay by compass and time to get to buoys and docks- that is all that was needed. No vhf fm marine radio either-just ssb. A true legend.

Anonymous said...

The Islander NEVER had SSB(single side band) When radio's were first mandated she had an AM set and after that set she had a Motorola FM marine radio. I should know I worked on the ferries for quite a few years and ran the Islander more times than I can remember.

Anonymous said...

And yes, Skinner was better at navigating in the fog or bad weather than any current radar set, Loran, GPS, etc. The deckhands on foggy mornings were out on the bow in order to kick the buoys out of the way - Skinners compass courses were always dead on. Best Fog Skipper FI Ferries ever had.