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Topic: NOT exactly a CRUISE Ship |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 3 Oct 2004 8:50 am |
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When about ten years old, my dad took me to visit the Hawaiian sea-going tug, "ONO" that was anchored in neutral waters, mid-channel of the Columbia River (between Oregon & Washington). They had just delivered a huge barge of Dole Pineapple to The Dalles, Oregon, where a huge labor dispute was in process.
The crew, upon learning that I played Hawaiian music, insisted my dad get my guitar and amp and return for some music making. This done, they grabbed Ukes, guitars, etc., and the party was about to begin.
Then one of the crew members looked wide-eyed directly at me and asked "what'sa matta?" Then he realized "my" problem.
I was seated on a steel bench in the galley and the steel cleats on the bottom of my leather shoes where resting on the steel deck while both my hands were resting on my electrified strings..............AND..the ship operated on "DIRECT CURRENT". I was momentarily "electrified" to the point I couldn't move.
They immediately did something to convert the electricity in the galley to Alternating Current and the show began. That rugged little Gibson steel guitar and matching amp suffered no damage.
That was my first real experience with music that really charges you! The next was at the Kaiser/Frazier New Car Dealership that I've mentioned previously.
All this, and I STILL CAN'T memorize Ohms Law. |
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Bob Hickish
From:
Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Oct 2004 9:06 am
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Quote ".
"All this, and I STILL CAN'T memorize Ohms Law."
Thats easy Ray !! its
CD over Lp = RPM
I hope your not covered by the Volcano . |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 3 Oct 2004 9:08 am
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| Great story, Ray! |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Posted 3 Oct 2004 9:17 am
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Sounds more like Murphy's Law was at work...
Thanks for the story, Ray. Glad it had a happy ending.
Peter |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 3 Oct 2004 9:53 am
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So, what's your current gig?
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Michael Misetich
From:
Irving, Texas, USA
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Posted 3 Oct 2004 2:34 pm
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Ray,
Just out of curiosity, was the dealership with the electrifying experience Williams Kaiser Frazer of Milwaukie?
I have a 1951 Kaiser built at the Portland assembly plant that was orignally sold by Williams KF. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 3 Oct 2004 7:45 pm
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| Michael: It was the Grande Opening of the dealership, located about 1 1/2 blocks south of "the Bomber", at that first traffic light and on the opposite side of Highway #99. It was the first in town. I have no idea if it was a direct relationship to the assembly plant out on N.E. Killingsworth. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 3 Oct 2004 8:02 pm
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Skip...speaking of electrifying experiences...years ago when I was about 18, we were about to do a gig in a country hall. They had the (normal) plugs on the wall but the hall was being run on DC as they awaited installation of the AC line to come from some distance. I did not know this. I plugged in the amp, turned it on and WHAM! Goodbye amp! It went up in smoke and could not be repaired. What a lousy experience for a young kid who could hardly afford the cost of admission to a free movie!  |
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Craig Prior
From:
National City, California, USA
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Posted 4 Oct 2004 3:06 pm
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Ray wrote: "That rugged little Gibson steel guitar and matching amp suffered no damage."
Ray, glad to hear the guitar and amp were okay... but you never told us if it did any damage to YOU.
Craig.
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Jim Phelps
From:
Mexico City, Mexico
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Posted 4 Oct 2004 4:53 pm
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| . [This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 08:37 PM.] |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 4 Oct 2004 9:26 pm
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Craig.......some say I'm just not right! But, everybody has to be something, eh?
Jim....My dad used to take me out to "the Bomber" just after it first opened and we got to play in it. What I'd give now just to get to sit in the pilot's seat and scan all those glass gages, etc. The public generally stole the interior out of the craft which is truly a shame. It sits there now with the entire nose missing, pilot area, etc. Just a wasting olde hulk is all that's left. |
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Jim Phelps
From:
Mexico City, Mexico
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Posted 4 Oct 2004 10:23 pm
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| . [This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 08:37 PM.] |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 5 Oct 2004 8:48 am
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Hey Jim! What a great web site. The olde bomber may still see glory one day. Tell me, if you will, is the story true, about how the two "founders" went to Arizona after WWII and purchased a B-17, for about $1,500 as surplus. Neither was a multi-engine pilot and the highest rating held was a mere private pilot certificate?
They took off and immediately crashed it.
They returned shortly thereafter and purchased the current "replacement", flew it to Milwaukie, OR., landed on the new highway construction site in front of their planned service station/restaurant, etc., where it has remained ever since?
Fill us in on all the intimate details, if you'd be so kind. All steel guitar picker/pilots want to know the details. |
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Jim Phelps
From:
Mexico City, Mexico
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Posted 5 Oct 2004 9:40 am
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| . [This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 08:37 PM.] |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 5 Oct 2004 6:19 pm
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| Hey Jim. Thanx for straightening me out. Quite a difference there in the facts, eh? |
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Jim Phelps
From:
Mexico City, Mexico
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Posted 5 Oct 2004 7:02 pm
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| . [This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 08:38 PM.] |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 5 Oct 2004 9:08 pm
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It was a real joy for an old phart like me to see a vintage B-17 Fortress fly in to our local airport this past summer. They allowed anyone who was interested to inspect the aircraft. It was such beauty ! To see it take off and then do a low altitude fly-pass was just great. I think it is owned by the Confederate Air Force. Not many left in this flying condition anymore.  |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 6 Oct 2004 7:57 am
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THey have one at the Aviation Museum here in McMinnville, OR., along with Howard Hughes'old "Spruce Goose" and a wide assortment of other great military aircraft.
It still flies and you can RENT IT by way of a donation, I've been told. My annual dues of more than $100.00 and title of Colonel provided no advantage whatsoever when the Confederate Air Force came to town with their B-17. I was told to "stand in line like all the other nice folks." Oh well.... |
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