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Post by EGfleet on Jun 1, 2012 7:00:52 GMT -8
Anyone been by the San Mateo lately to see what (if anything) is left?
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Post by lmtengs on Jun 1, 2012 15:28:34 GMT -8
Anyone been by the San Mateo lately to see what (if anything) is left? Yea, I'm going to be hopping down there sometime in Early Summer. In the meantime, I'll post some photos a friend of mine took last sunday on the Voyager Board.
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Post by draco1251 on Jun 21, 2012 11:31:13 GMT -8
Greetings. I found this website after a strange series of Google searches led me here. =) I found this thread an interesting read, as I'm well familiar with the River Queen/Shasta, and happen to live about 20 minutes from her current resting place. Out of curiosity, when I read that it had been purchased and was going to be fixed up, I decided to drive over and take a look. Sad to say, it looks like that is not the case at all. She looks to be in worse condition now than she was in the last pictures that were posted. It was almost a year ago that someone posted she was purchased and going to be fixed up, yet the dock going down to her was very overgrown and didn't look to have been walked on for quite a while (I sure wasn't going to attempt it). My husband took some pictures. I'll put a couple here, and post a link to the rest if anyone cares to take a look. I left them big so you can really see the detail of how terrible she looks. They were taken June 1, 2012. s209.photobucket.com/albums/bb106/draco1251/River%20Queen/Even though we are not active in the ferry community, we were very sad to see her in this condition. I was really hoping that previous post was right, and someone was fixing her up. I wish we had the money to do it, or knew someone who could. I'm afraid she is going to end up like her sister soon.
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Post by draco1251 on Aug 22, 2012 11:05:37 GMT -8
Flugel Horn posted 4 years ago "the fate of the Shasta is relevant to many of our members here."
However, I can't seem to find 1 person who cares about helping her now. Whoever supposedly bought this boat a long time ago to fix her up was not being honest. I see this boat 2-3 times a month and there is no sign of life or anyone doing a thing, except letting her die a slow death.
This forum is not active at all, and I'm afraid all of you who posted your concerns over the past few years have moved on and forgotten about her. If a group of people with such interest in ferries is not willing to help her, I'm afraid nobody will.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 22, 2012 12:04:00 GMT -8
Flugel Horn posted 4 years ago "the fate of the Shasta is relevant to many of our members here." However, I can't seem to find 1 person who cares about helping her now. Whoever supposedly bought this boat a long time ago to fix her up was not being honest. I see this boat 2-3 times a month and there is no sign of life or anyone doing a thing, except letting her die a slow death. This forum is not active at all, and I'm afraid all of you who posted your concerns over the past few years have moved on and forgotten about her. If a group of people with such interest in ferries is not willing to help her, I'm afraid nobody will. I disagree with your second paragraph, except for the last point. - There likely is no one who has the combination of financial resources, restoration/preservation know-how, and historical preservation motives. As for me, I possess an interest in history and in the preservation of items, but I (and likely lots of our forum members) don't have the financial resources or shipyard experience/abilities. Those types of realities don't negate the fact that the fates of retired ships are relevant to us. I care about the outcome in the context of my ship-historian hobby, but there's nothing I can reasonably be expected to do.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,151
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Post by Neil on Aug 22, 2012 12:05:52 GMT -8
Flugel Horn posted 4 years ago "the fate of the Shasta is relevant to many of our members here." However, I can't seem to find 1 person who cares about helping her now. Whoever supposedly bought this boat a long time ago to fix her up was not being honest. I see this boat 2-3 times a month and there is no sign of life or anyone doing a thing, except letting her die a slow death. This forum is not active at all, and I'm afraid all of you who posted your concerns over the past few years have moved on and forgotten about her. If a group of people with such interest in ferries is not willing to help her, I'm afraid nobody will. Mr Horn's comment did not imply that people were willing to take out a second mortgage to buy and restore this boat. I don't know how many times it needs to be stated: the public in general does not care about old car ferries. Forum members might care, but they're not foolish enough to lose their savings on unrealistic projects. You'll just have to deal with that. (sorry Mr Horn for riding over top your post. Simultaneous response.))
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Post by draco1251 on Aug 24, 2012 13:17:10 GMT -8
I think my post was misunderstood. I certainly wasn't trying to imply that someone on this forum should "take out a second mortgage to buy and restore this boat", or that anyone here should take on this responsibility.
As I stated in my fist post, I just happened upon this forum and found the discussion interesting, since I see the Shasta on a regular basis. Certain things on this thread caught my eye, such as user SS Shasta with the message "If we can't save the SS San Mateo, let's save the SS Shasta."
And the post by EGfleet: "Update on the S.S. Shasta/River Queen: Received an email from the man who just purchased her. He plans to renovate the Shasta into a living space for himself and a workshop for his company. Looks like there may be hope for the old girl yet. Will keep you posted if I get anymore information."
As someone brand new to this forum, it sure seemed to me there were people who had interest in trying to save the Shasta, and that EGfleet seems to be a person who is involved in such matters if he/she is getting emails from the man who purchased her?
Which is what I started out posting that for, to let EGfleet, or anyone else who cares, know that the Shasta is not being renovated, but in fact deteriorating more. If anyone here has the ability to make phone calls, talk to the owner, talk to nautical preservation people? I don't know... I already stated I have ZERO knowledge of these things, so I posted where I thought help would most likely be.
That was clearly an error on my part, since you both got defensive like I assumed some magic ferry fairy was going to come forward and buy the boat to save her from the river bottom! Which, BTW, you can disagree with my comments about the forum being inactive and members not caring, but it was 2 months after my post with zero replies... not exactly a shining example of an active community with members coming forward to show they care.
As for Neil's comment "I don't know how many times it needs to be stated: the public in general does not care about old car ferries."....
In case you didn't figure out from my post count and my post above, I'm brand new to this forum and ferries in general. So it's pretty safe to assume I've probably never seen it stated before. I'm sorry you had to trouble yourself to state the obvious yet again. Hopefully the next new person to this forum doesn't force you to hit the reply button and copy/paste it again.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 24, 2012 13:32:20 GMT -8
That was clearly an error on my part, since you both got defensive like I assumed some magic ferry fairy was going to come forward and buy the boat to save her from the river bottom! Which, BTW, you can disagree with my comments about the forum being inactive and members not caring, but it was 2 months after my post with zero replies... not exactly a shining example of an active community with members coming forward to show they care. Hey, I was just going on the actual words that you posted. I took them at face-value, based on what the posted words said. Elaboration helps, on these types of internet forums. ps: If you read any defensiveness into my earlier reply to you, then you've read it wrong. I was simply replying to your post. ....that's what we do here.
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Post by draco1251 on Aug 24, 2012 14:47:15 GMT -8
Ok... I didn't come here to bicker on a message board. I think I made my intentions pretty clear in the last post. There's nothing left to do but move on and see if I can spend my time better by making some phone calls on my own, since it's pretty clear there will be no assistance here.
EDIT: I'm not referring to financial assistance. I better spell it out this time!
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,947
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Post by FNS on Aug 28, 2012 22:39:46 GMT -8
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 23, 2012 16:07:42 GMT -8
Got aboard what's left of the San Mateo today, and I have a question about the flooring surfaces used in the lounges onboard. These are the only two flooring surfaces that I saw in the spaces where the lounges used to exist. Were these materials used in other WSF vessels? Carpeting. Tiling. Note: I took many photos aboard the 'Mateo, but I won't be posting them on the public boards here, although I did gain access without trespassing. I've been refused access to the Voyager board, so sadly, I can't share them there either. As a last resort, I've posted about eighty images on my Facebook for any friends to check out. I also filmed one video of a short walkabout, which I've posted on Youtube. PM me if you want a link to said video.
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Post by Barnacle on Sept 23, 2012 17:56:57 GMT -8
That looks like WSF green floor tile to me. I'm not sure what was present in the Black Ball days. The carpet was post-service, as far as I know.
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 23, 2012 18:18:47 GMT -8
That looks like WSF green floor tile to me. I'm not sure what was present in the Black Ball days. The carpet was post-service, as far as I know. The carpet did look like it was on top of the tiles, so if WSF was the last ferry line that she ran for, then this makes sense that the carpet was post-service.
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 23, 2012 22:58:36 GMT -8
Here are seven photos that I decided were alright to post here in the public boards. Note that all photos posted here are my sole property and may only be duplicated with my permission, unless it's for the use of saving to your own hard drive for personal viewing only. Looking East down her vehicle deck. Note the Queen of Sidney's waterline visible in behind. One of the trees growing thru her windows. Looking down her grassy cardeck. The stairs to the ship's engine room swimming pool. Looking up the East stairwell. Inside one of the passenger lounges. Note the Queen of Sidney on the right. Where the lounge on the other side used to be.
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Post by timmyboy on Sept 25, 2012 14:14:57 GMT -8
Those are lovely Asbestos containing floor tiles you are playing with Luke. To all of our intrepid explorers out there please dont play with "old building" materials. I hear enough of of workplace disease in my job I dont want to hear about Playplace disease after work. ;D
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 25, 2012 16:57:19 GMT -8
Timmyboy is very likely right. Those floor tiles will contain asbestos. The good news is the asbestos becomes dangerous when its tiny fibres become airborne and are able to be inhaled all the way into a person's lungs. If the asbestos is all bound up in the rubber material of the floor tile air borne fibre release is not so likely, especially if it is waterlogged. On the other hand, if the tiles are dry, and you manhandle them to pry them apart, then fibre will be released. The problem gets far worse when powered machinery such as power saws, drills, sanders, etc. are used on asbestos containing materials.
Asbestos fibre can cause three types of disease. The most common is asbestosis, which causes scarring of lung tissue, and eventually, serious loss of lung function. It requires a significant amount of exposure to develop which is unlikely with casual contact. The second disease is lung cancer, but again significant exposure is generally required. Both of these diseases are unlikely with casual - once in a blue moon - exposure to asbestos. The third disease is mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining of the lung. When it develops it can't be stopped and will lead ultimately to an early death. It is believed that even casual exposure can lead to the development of mesothelioma.
Ships (& buildings) built in the 1940's through to the 1970's used asbestos in very many forms in all sorts of materials. During the 1980's its use was restricted but still may be present. Ships (buildings) built after 1990 (in North America & Europe, at least) are unlikely to contain any asbestos.
Bottom Line: Beware of any products that may contain asbestos and do not do anything that will result in fibre becoming airborne.
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mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
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Post by mrdot on Sept 25, 2012 19:29:17 GMT -8
:)I've just been vueing pics. of the poor Alung wrecking gang on one of our asbestos laden wrecks just driven ashore, and there is no workman's comp. anywhere in site, so the last place for us to be crawling around in this junk collector's fraser river junkyard! mrdot.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,151
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Post by Neil on Sept 25, 2012 20:48:00 GMT -8
Guess our friend lives rather dangerously. One must suffer, or at least, live dangerously, for one's art and infiltrations.
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 25, 2012 22:58:40 GMT -8
Every time I post a picture that I took while doing something other than standing in a parking lot looking at a ship, I get the whole wuzzam of safety lectures... don't waste your breath, I've heard it before. I do realize the risks involved, and like I said previously, I was with someone who had been crawling around the Mateo just the day before. There are sections of deck that have been strengthened for walking on, and in other spots, I exercise a great deal of caution; I walk where there's some kind of metal beam or other support beneath, except on the high side of the car deck, which is still in walkable condition. Paul, when I took the picture of the engine room cavity, the thought of 'going for a swim' did cross my mind. Because of this, I propped myself up on the steel bulkhead to ensure I would stay on dry deck. And you're right, I did have no real safety gear, other than a flash light. I also realize that the ship is sitting on silt; it's sunken more than six feet into it, apparently. My house is built on that same Fraser River silt... stupid thing settled, so we had to get our front door frame re-cut a couple years ago because the door finally stopped closing properly... After all the wrecking I've done just in the last few years, I consider myself to be experienced enough to have the right judgement as to whether or not I should go somewhere, and I don't consider that to be a lofty statement, either. I wasn't going to bother with the 'Mateo if I didn't have someone on the boat with me who knew it well. I do considerable research on a place before I actually tromp in, and I have in the past made phone calls to ask about sites. I go aboard these ships out of my own curiosity, and I document pictures for historical record. I post them here because I think some of you would appreciate seeing places where they won't be going on their own, either because they have more regard for the safekeeping of their own body, or because they're geographically too far from the area to make it down. I do live dangerously, but I live as such out of necessity, not out of want. I've tried to live the quiet life, as just another rat in the rat race, but I just can't. I get bored of life if I'm not doing something every now and again, and these somethings are what keeps me rolling. I don't see myself stopping any time soon, no matter how long it keeps me out of the Voyager club. I'm not changing my lifestyle for a title. Sounds rather foolish to me. ;D ....and regarding the asbestos? Ooops! Well, one can only learn so much prior to checking out a place. Now any future explorers that check out the forum know not to pry at the floor tiles. I nearly took one home with me... lucky I didn't.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 26, 2012 6:13:36 GMT -8
I go aboard these ships out of my own curiosity, and I document pictures for historical record. I post them here because I think some of you would appreciate seeing places where they won't be going on their own, either because they have more regard for the safekeeping of their own body, or because they're geographically too far from the area to make it down.
I do live dangerously, but I live as such out of necessity, not out of want. I've tried to live the quiet life, as just another rat in the rat race, but I just can't. I get bored of life if I'm not doing something every now and again, and these somethings are what keeps me rolling. I don't see myself stopping any time soon, no matter how long it keeps me out of the Voyager club. I'm not changing my lifestyle for a title. Sounds rather foolish to me. ;D This is the kind of public record posting that the admissions people at the Canadian Coast Guard College would be really interested in seeing. Or any potential employer, for that matter, especially one who would be entrusting you with much expensive equipment and responsibility. ;D
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Post by timmyboy on Sept 26, 2012 12:19:46 GMT -8
To WCK,
Not wanting to throw all the asbestos info I carry around with but a warning I kept it short and sweet. I agree wholeheartedly with you when production was halted, however there is much more info out there than that. Not a rant but it is amazing the misinformation that floats around our world these days.
Use of asbestos was outlawed in production in 1986 but removal of product was not required by any jurisdictions. By 1988 those in metropolitan areas likely did not "see" any building products containing any more but in small areas it was known sales contiued for a long time. Currently WorksafeBC is rewriting protocol to require asbestos testing of all building products to 1995.
Another very interesting point is Canada is still the largest producer of commercially used Asbestos in the world, out of Quebec. We ship it to areas where the laws are as tight, say China, and then we recieve it back in "finished" form. We actually have to test sheet vinyl flooring and floor tiles that come out of China today for Asbestos content.
Ok well a small rant but I have had extended family members who have passed due to Asbestos related disease, Mesothelioma and Asbestosis. As well I have seen those who have dealt with Asbestos Warts, an ugly pervasive "wart" like growth on exposed skin. I want to educate all I can about what I have learned and helped our younger members who have likely never been exposed stay un exposed. ;D
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,151
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Post by Neil on Sept 26, 2012 12:53:07 GMT -8
And to think we used to mix asbestos with water and use it as modelling clay in elementary school. In the ultimate homage to lung disease, I remember making an ashtray out of the stuff... in school.
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 26, 2012 13:00:08 GMT -8
And to think we used to mix asbestos with water and use it as modelling clay in elementary school. In the ultimate homage to lung disease, I remember making an ashtray out of the stuff... in school. And that movie, White Christmas, where Bing sang that oh so popular song, that snow, that Hollywood snow... It was good Canadian chrysotile (white asbestos) that was falling from heaven. Even the filters for filter-tip cigarettes were once made with asbestos. How times have changed.
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 26, 2012 22:18:48 GMT -8
I go aboard these ships out of my own curiosity, and I document pictures for historical record. I post them here because I think some of you would appreciate seeing places where they won't be going on their own, either because they have more regard for the safekeeping of their own body, or because they're geographically too far from the area to make it down.
I do live dangerously, but I live as such out of necessity, not out of want. I've tried to live the quiet life, as just another rat in the rat race, but I just can't. I get bored of life if I'm not doing something every now and again, and these somethings are what keeps me rolling. I don't see myself stopping any time soon, no matter how long it keeps me out of the Voyager club. I'm not changing my lifestyle for a title. Sounds rather foolish to me. ;D This is the kind of public record posting that the admissions people at the Canadian Coast Guard College would be really interested in seeing. Or any potential employer, for that matter, especially one who would be entrusting you with much expensive equipment and responsibility. ;D I have to say I doubt they would search through hundreds, if not thousands of threads, looking for my posts. I can see them looking me up on Google or Facebook, or at least looking at my profile here on the forum. I think you're being somewhat over-analytical. When I google myself, the first page of results ranges from photo-sharing sites to a Myspace page of a band for whom I've done some photo gigs, to some formerly or very rarely-used website accounts (Twitter, Blogger, Formspring, Google+) to track and field results from grade 8 (apparently I jumped 4.2 meters in long jump) to finally, a Queen of Sidney picture on Wikipedia. Not until the second page of results is there evidence of my participation on this forum, and I don't think they would see much out of second-page results on Google. Your name on Google as well as what your city of residence runs straight to your address, and a bunch of commentary on news websites and the like. Neither result seems to show anything criminally or morally damning.
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Post by timmyboy on Sept 27, 2012 11:53:59 GMT -8
And to think we used to mix asbestos with water and use it as modelling clay in elementary school. In the ultimate homage to lung disease, I remember making an ashtray out of the stuff... in school. But at least you knew it would never catch fire. ;D
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