2015 Sea Trial

On Saturday April 25, the JOHN W BROWN left the pier at 9am and traveled from Clinton Street in Baltimore, Md (Canton) to about Chesapeake Beach.  It was an operational crew, limited by the Captain, to put the engine through it's paces and to allow for some required training.   While the ship was away for about 30 hours, not only was the engine 'worked' but so was the lifeboat and all of the crew.  About 2/3 of the crew held watch from the time we left, even earlier for the engine department.  When not on watch their time was with filled with scheduled cleaning, training and other educational procedures for both new and returning crew members.   

CPR and Security training were two of the big training sessions. Each required 2 sessions apiece to get as many crew member's training completed while working around the 8-12, 12-4, 4-8 watches. And there was an Abandon Ship drill and a Fire drill. 

Firefighters and electricians performed a tabletop exercise before the drill working with a scenario of a fire in the paint locker. Key points were reviewed like how to contain the fire and the CO2 system and the fire alarm.

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Above...2 shifts of CPR, on Saturday night...watching the American Heart Association video, and practicing with the manikins and training AED (automatic external defibrillator).  Even the Captain and First Mate are getting some practice and showing that this was not their first time 'round. 

Below...On Sunday morning we had 2 training shifts after breakfast (7am and 8am) for a security quiz and info session.   Good thing we all had our Wheaties.  Actually we didn't... Joe made eggs, pancakes, hash-browns, sausage, bacon, grits and oatmeal for breakfast, along with our endless pot after pot of much needed coffee. 

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On Sunday morning, after breakfast and the security training, we launched one of the lifeboats to run the newly reconstructed engine and to review the procedures for lowering and raising the lifeboat.  

As we were heading into the harbor, we had some final chances to look at and learn about our Lyle Guns and some of the other equipment we have but rarely use.   

Sea Trial 2015 was a success with all crew members walking away on Sunday exhausted and energized for the cruise season.   The ship and engine did well, everything is cleaner than its been all winter, and crew members received lots of training.  Here are some last random shots...

Project Liberty Ship, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization engaged in the preservation and operation of the historic ship JOHN W. BROWN as a living memorial museum. Gifts to Project Liberty Ship are tax deductible.

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K9 Unit Training

Multiple K9 units from local, state and federal agencies engaged in several types of training exercises aboard the JOHN W BROWN on Monday morning. There were explosives searches on the forward deck and  other searches for 'narcotics' on the rear deck. The officers and their dogs worked on different drills and scenarios below deck, also. We were happy to be able to capture some of the action. The ship is multi-functional and can be used for different purposes. 

The day started early with officers from multiple jurisdictions arriving for their briefings. They looked over different areas of the ship and decided which would best suit their needs for the different exercises.

The forward deck was used for a search exercise. The dogs experienced a bouquet of scents they had not encountered before while searching for their target scent.

The team from Prince Georges Country brings the suits for the decoys on board. Several of the officers took turns being the decoy as part of the training.

Here is the officer and canine team waiting patiently for everything to be ready below.

The decoy is checked to make sure his suit is properly fastened. Can't have any accidents on the ship when our medical team is not on-board!

Then he is walked through the scenario by the training officers.

The BROWN's steep stairs are a good place to practice using a special harness. As impressively trained as these athletes are, they still are not 'ship/boat dogs' like our Jack who maneuvers around the ship like he owns it (and who, by the way is pouting and not speaking to us right now for allowing dogs on his ship without his permission) 

It's showtime!

The dog must clear the hallway first and then find the decoy in the other room.

The decoy is flushed from his hiding place and 'escapes' down the passageway with the officer and canine in pursuit.

When the decoy is out of sight again the dog is taken off his lead to search again. There are lots of dark, out of the way places on the BROWN.

There is a moment to relax after a hard day's training.

It was a pleasure to have the different K9 units train aboard the BROWN. They were very gracious in letting me tag along on some of the exercises to take pictures. It was interesting and informative to be able to see them train.

Project Liberty Ship, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization engaged in the preservation and operation of the historic ship JOHN W. BROWN as a living memorial museum. Gifts to Project Liberty Ship are tax deductible.

Picking Up Their Rivets

Not long ago we had a blog post about adopting an actual rivet from the BROWN for fundraising purposes.  Everyone who adopted rivets from our blog post was invited to pick them up this past weekend and to enjoy a special tour of the ship. Many more were sent to those who don't live close enough to pick up their rivet.  Howard lead the first tour and entertained everyone with stories and information about liberty ships and WWII. Howard, can usually be seen on the Flying Bridge during our Living History Cruises.  As either a pilot or Chief Mate, Howard has wonderful information and stories.

The tour started on the main deck and our guests were taught how to toss the heaving lines. Heaving lines are small lines that are thrown out to line handlers on a pier or another ship to attach to and pull across heavier lines.  The monkeys fist is the weighted ball at the end of the heaving line to give it some weight so it travels further. 

There were two groups in this tour. Boy Scout Troop 441 is sponsored by VFW Post 2462. They purchased a rivet to display in their space as a way to honor their sponsors. Liam showed everyone how to coil the line and the best technique for sending it flying.

The other group was a family.  They were the second couple to be married on the JOHN W BROWN, back in 1995 and they adopted a rivet as a way to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

They brought the announcement from their wedding. It was a real treat for us to see!

Crew member/docent, Al is giving Brett and his mother a tour of the ship and explaining the hatches and holds of Liberty Ships.

The tour moved aft and Howard talked about differences between merchant mariners and the Armed Guard. He also explained how loading and aiming the guns changed over the course of the war.

When you're on the JOHN W BROWN you're welcome to explore many parts of the ship.

Taking a turn at the wheel on the Flying Bridge is something most people will do if they can, even though the ship is not moving. During a Living History Cruise you can do this for real. There is a silent auction on each cruise and the winner gets to steer the ship while she's underway. Certainly an experience of a lifetime!

Another favorite place for visitors to visit is the Engine Room. Here everyone gets a look at the top of the triple expansion steam engine.

There's lots to learn in the Engine Room with it's gears and valves and nooks and crannies. Today it was nice and cool, not at all what it's like when the ship is underway.

We love having company and enjoyed hosting this special group today. We hope that all our guests enjoyed their day as much and they took some some nice memories along with their adopted rivets.

For more pictures taken on Saturday, check out this album of shots on Flickr.  Ferd is a photographer and a friend of the BROWN'S, who adopted a rivet and took the chance to return and take more picture.

Project Liberty Ship, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization engaged in the preservation and operation of the historic ship JOHN W. BROWN as a living memorial museum. Gifts to Project Liberty Ship are tax deductible.