The repair work underway this month on the submarine Torsk and the 1854 sloop of war Constellation doesn't really have anything to do with the weather (although photographer Lloyd Fox and I nearly froze to death earlier this month on assignment out at the Sparrows Point Shipyard).
But I have been covering efforts to save and restore the Constellation since the early 1990s, and have a long-standing interest in the ship's story.
So, I thought it would be appropriate here to list the companies that have been donating time, labor, expertise, materials and equipment to the current, $500,000 effort to bring the two warships up to snuff, and to assure that they will be here for future generations to explore, learn from and enjoy. Fund-raising continues to cover the bills that remain.
Here they are, as listed by Historic Ships in Baltimore. Baltimore owes its thanks to all:
General Ship Repair Company – Donation of Staff Time and Expertise
Paul Behrends – Volunteer Time as Dockmaster for Dry Docking
Vane Brothers Company – Donation of Towing Ships, Line, Staff Expertise
Smith Marine Towing – Donation of Towing Ships, Staff Expertise
McAllister Towing - Partial Donation of Tug Support to move Dry Dock Gate
International Paint – Donation of Antifouling Paint for both vessels.
Sparrows Point Shipyard and Industrial Complex – Partial Donation of Dry Docking Fees
United Rentals – Donation of lift equipment while vessels are in dry dock.
Direct Dimensions, Inc. - 3D survey of the vessels
SmartMultiMedia, Inc. – 3D survey of the vessels
UPDATE, Friday: A few more donors to add to our list:
Pump and Power Equipment – Donation of Emergency Generators and Pumps
Davis Crane Rental – Donation of Crane Service
W.O. Grubb - Donation of Crane Service
Williams Crane Service - Donation of Crane Service
Scaffold Resources – Donation of Scaffolding
(PHOTOS: Historic Ships in Baltimore, used with permission)