THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 19, 1995 TAG: 9510170112
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
THE BOAT ORIGINALLY was designed for river and coastal warfare in Vietnam. Now, students will use the craft as a research vessel in the waters around Hampton Roads.
The Navy donated the Patrol Craft Fast-2 or ``Swift Boat'' to Tidewater Community College on Saturday at Nauticus in conjunction with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Festival. The transfer ceremony marked the recommissioning of the craft as the ``Research Vessel Matthew Maury,'' in honor of renown mid-19th century oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury of Norfolk.
More than 100 people gathered for the rededication. The Atlantic Fleet Band played several scores while crews were exchanged, the official transfer documents signed and the boat's colors retired. Congressman Owen B. Pickett, who was influential in making the vessel's donation possible, was the keynote speaker.
``I cannot think of anything that better symbolizes the end of the Cold War era than taking an instrument of war and making it an instrument of peace,'' Pickett said.
Rear Adm. Ernest E. Christensen Jr. noted the uniqueness of the event:
``It's unusual that a military craft goes to a peaceful purpose, but it's the right thing ... a perfect fit.''
Larry L. Whitworth, TCC's president, spoke metaphorically about the transfer.
``It is an extremely important mission to which we dedicate this boat,'' Whitworth said.
Swift Boats, named for their speed and hailed for their firepower, were highly effective during the Vietnam War.
``They were pretty intimidating when we pulled up along a junk or sampan (small Asian boats),'' said Bob Franson, who was an E-5 on a Swift Boat in Vietnam and who is now a TCC oceanography student with classes on the RV Maury.
The vessel promises to be productive during peacetime as well. TCC's geophysical sciences departments will use the craft for gathering information in the Chesapeake Bay and along the Virginia coast. Taking water samples, studying organisms and exploring historical sites will be among an array of investigative activities. The college also will lend and lease the boat to other schools and agencies.
``Our oceanography department had limited research capabilities without our own vessel,'' said Bill Candler, TCC's communications director. ``This boat operates well in shallow water, which will be ideal for the Bay.''
The 51-foot, 22-ton craft can reach 32 knots and hold up to 20 passengers. It is equipped with water samplers, nets, filters and other research devices.
``We will use it as a floating classroom and lab,'' said Michael Lyle, assistant division chairman for the geophysical sciences department, which includes oceanography, geology, biology and a burgeoning coastal studies program. ``This is a great asset for the school.''
TCC has allotted about $30,000 for maintenance and operations costs. The boat is docked at the Little Creek Amphibious Base and already has made trial runs around the Bay. With the assistance of Navy personnel, Lyle and TCC faculty and students have been doing repair work and getting their ``sea legs.''
``I'd never been on a motor boat before,'' said Jerrie McWhorter of Lyles' oceanography class. ``It's extra credit to help out, and I wanted to get some experience before we go out and get graded.''
``It's like having a used car,'' said Lyle, who will be acting as one of the boat's captains. ``We're shaking it down . . . and getting used to the logistics of having students on board.''
The crew is now acquiring booms, winches and ladders. Some Navy volunteers will continue to assist with the vessel's operation. Classroom use of the boat is scheduled to start by late October. Lyle expects the boat to be on the water several times a week and act as the ``hinge piece of the growing coastal studies program.''
The story of how a weapon of war became a tool of education is one of happenstance.
PCF-2 and its sister PCF-1 were prototypes of more than 100 Swift Boats that engaged the enemy in Vietnam. Their speed and twin 50-caliber machine guns, 81 millimeter mortar, grenade launcher and other small arms capabilities made them a formidable fast-attack weapon.
The prototypes never saw combat in Vietnam, however, and instead were used as training vessels in Panama and in operation ``Just Cause.'' While most of the crafts are still in the Philippines, the forerunners had remained in Panama until recently. Alan Flanders, a naval historian and public affairs officer for the Atlantic Fleet Training Command in Norfolk, learned of the boats' existence several years ago and worked to arrange their transfer to the Little Creek Amphibious Base late last spring.
Word spread throughout Navy-brass circles that the acclaimed vessels were in Norfolk. In mid-June they were paraded up the Bay in what was called ``The Last River Run,'' driven by a contingent of Swift Boat veterans called ``Swifties.'' PCF-1 went on display in the Navy Historical Center of the Washington Navy Yard in Washington. PCF-2 was returned to the Amphibious Base.
Meanwhile, Flanders learned through associates at Nauticus that TCC needed a research vessel. He contacted Lyle, who was delighted with the prospect. Congressman Owen Pickett started the wheels grinding, then sponsored legislation to have the boat officially transferred to the school.
``It really did take an act of Congress,'' Lyle said. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by L. TODD SPENCER
The Patrol Craft Fast-2 or ``Swift Boat'' leaves the pier at
Nauticus after being donated by the Navy to Tidewater Community
College.
Congressman Owen B. Pickett addresses the crowd at the dedication.
by CNB