19-23 April, Ahead Slow Bell

The yard averaged only two welders each day working on compartment number 4 starboard outboard. The z-bar, three bulkhead panels, the transverse diagonal gussets, and two stanchion/longitudinal diagonal gusset repairs were accomplished. Some weld burrs (freckles) were trimmed off the stern plates with many more to go.

She's got freckles on her, but she is nice! 12-16 April

This week saw more progress in getting plate on the stern. The full eight plates across the stern have been fitted up. The side plates are being trimmed and it is anticipated that fabrication of the knuckles will be starting sometime during the week of the 19th. The weld rememnants of the jack heads used to shape the plate have not yet been ground off. Hence the freckles.

The Z-bar in number 4 starboard outboard has been cropped out. The hogging chain cables on the starboard side have been loosened and the hogging chain post length has been measured. The threaded ends of the chains have been carefully marked to ensure the proper fit when reinstalled. The hogging chain post is of 7 inches in diameter which is not very common, but the yard did find some.

All of the overlay under number 2 compartment has been removed and about 70% of the original plate. Repairs to inernal structure have been marked out.

5-9 April Slow Bell

There was no hot work accomplished from Monday through Thursday. The painters prepped Monday and primed Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday, there were still too much fumes. Friday saw the last wide plate on the stern being fitted up. The three deteriorated panels in the wing bulkhead in the forward end of number 4 starboard outboard compartment were cut out. The three section bottom panel for compartment 2 was surveyed and is good to go. The big four section bottom panel for number 4 is expected to be broght on the drydock next week. The section of landing barges and the two drydocks, one of which the SNYDER resides, are slated to be moved to the new facility on Saturday.

29 Mar to 1 Apr Now getting some Hustle in the Bustle

On Friday, the 26th, the yard tried to fit an 8 foot wide plate longitudinally on the stern at the centerline. Monday morning, they were still struggling with it. At noon, Earl, Dwain and I got together and discussed splitting the plate longitudinally which had been the original plan. This was done and by Tuesday, a 4 foot longitudinal plate was fitted up on the centerline extending to the starboard. The yard then attempted to fit the other 4 foot wide plate to it on the starboard side. This did not work. The discussion turned to using 4 foot square plates which I opposed. Earl came up with a plan of using 4 foot wide plates centered on the rudder tunnel. A more narrow plate will then overlap and fill the gap. They then fitted up the 4 foot wide plate on the centerline extending to port. By late Thursday afternoon, the 1st, they had the third plate up centered on the starboard rudder tunnel extending to port. They expect to have all the longitudinal plates up by the Friday, the 9th of April. The side plates have been trimmed up and are partially fitted into the original plates aft.

Repairs to the gussets and stanchions in number 4 starboard outboard is progressing piecemeal. Repairs in number 4 port outboard have not yet begun.

The fabrication of the Z-bar girder for number 4 outboard compartments was started. One complete girder has been fabricated and a second is about 50 per cent complete.

Lepi finished blasting and cleaning compartment number 1 on Monday and started the clean up of the above deck spaces. This was completed by Thursday afternoon. They did a good job cleaning up their debris and dust. Painters are scheduled to prime compartments 1, 2, and 3 starting Monday, the 5th.

The yard was closed on Good Friday.