Monday, July 17, 2006
BSA Tall Ship Argus
The Orange County Council of Boy Scouts of America has a Sea Base facility in Newport Harbor. Since 1972, a key attraction of Sea Base has been the tall ship Argus. Unfortunately, the Argus has probably taken its last voyage as a BSA ship (and possibly last ever).
The Argus is over 100 years old. It is mainly oak and iron. However, the Coast Guard has put the ship out of commission due to extensive wood rot and iron fatigue. It made (or is about to make) one last trip to Catalina Island and then to Long Beach Harbor to be stored at a donated docking facility until its final fate is determined. Repair estimates are around $1.5 million and a fundraising effort to save it came up far short. There was even an attempt to sell it on eBay with no bidders.
Here is a link to articles in the Orange County Register for more details on the current news: http://search.ocregister.com/cgi-bin/texis/webinator/multi?uquery=argus
I have fond memories of the Argus -- especially of an overnight trip to Catalina Island with Troop 339 (including Shoo, Lee and others). It has been a visible symbol of Boy Scouts in Orange County for as long as I have been in scouting. The Argus gained particular fame in April, 2004 when it rescued a stranded diver in the open ocean (I will post that article separately for anyone that wants more details).
How could I have never arranged to take my family on one of the local cruises that were sometimes available? Looks like it's too late now. The best bet now seems to be that some historical society purchases it and makes the necessary repairs to keep it operational. However, it's unlikely to be used as a scouting vessel again.
Good luck, good ship Argus!
The Argus is over 100 years old. It is mainly oak and iron. However, the Coast Guard has put the ship out of commission due to extensive wood rot and iron fatigue. It made (or is about to make) one last trip to Catalina Island and then to Long Beach Harbor to be stored at a donated docking facility until its final fate is determined. Repair estimates are around $1.5 million and a fundraising effort to save it came up far short. There was even an attempt to sell it on eBay with no bidders.
Here is a link to articles in the Orange County Register for more details on the current news: http://search.ocregister.com/cgi-bin/texis/webinator/multi?uquery=argus
I have fond memories of the Argus -- especially of an overnight trip to Catalina Island with Troop 339 (including Shoo, Lee and others). It has been a visible symbol of Boy Scouts in Orange County for as long as I have been in scouting. The Argus gained particular fame in April, 2004 when it rescued a stranded diver in the open ocean (I will post that article separately for anyone that wants more details).
How could I have never arranged to take my family on one of the local cruises that were sometimes available? Looks like it's too late now. The best bet now seems to be that some historical society purchases it and makes the necessary repairs to keep it operational. However, it's unlikely to be used as a scouting vessel again.
Good luck, good ship Argus!
Labels: Scouts
# posted by - Rob @ 11:45 AM 
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