I got an email a few weeks back from a Coastie who was tasked with cleaning and re-varnishing the fancywork on the exterior rails of a CGC in a tropical climate.
One of the more interesting things I've been told since then is that sometime in the 1980's, a directive came down from "The Big Eagle In The Sky" that ALL such fancywork was to be eliminated from any active Coast Guard vessels and the rails were only to be painted out from that point on. Apparently there had been a injury due to a corroded rail giving way when in use and the fancywork was blamed for permitting the corrosion to occur while hiding same from casual inspection.
Well, it COULD be true, but I thought I'd check in here.... if anyone knows, youse lot should oughta!
Here's some pictures of fancywork still existing (inboard) the old USCGC WMEC166 (Tamaroa).
I don't know of any directive coming down,I was retired then but in todays high tech service a lot of interest has faded in fancy work but there is still some out there,on the BM board there was a discussion on it awhile back,you might post a note on the Boatswain's mate board to see.fancy work was started to help bored sailors at sea way back before computers, cell phones,video games etc.
Last bit of fancywork I applied was to the CGC Valiant (Miami Beach). Around quarterdeck stanchons, flagstaff, and interior QAWTD on the O2 deck. XO always got a major ... well he was pleased everytime he walked by them.
Had one SA out of the whole crew who wanted to help but soon learned hadn't the patience for it. For me it passed the time away while we made holes in the water.
Mr. Ashley and I got to be good friends. What made working with him even more exciting was when I found errors in the drawings from the particular edition book I had and having to work out the solution.
Apparently there had been a injury due to a corroded rail giving way when in use and the fancywork was blamed for permitting the corrosion to occur while hiding same from casual inspection.
Hmmm, should have blamed a Boatswain's Mate, not the fancy work. We always removed the fancy work annually and re-painted the underlying surface.
Having spent many years on the TAMAROA as a deckie and the Corpsman it was amazing the amount of fancy work that was on there thank you for posting the pics it brought back some fond memories.
Sometime this spring I plan on spending a weekend on her (maybe a week if I can get permissions) and I'll take more pictures of the existing and the repaired work. Got four rolls of #30 already aboard and waiting!
We need as many volunteers as possible in as many disciplines as possible to bring her back to seaworthy condition (not too far away!) for use as a floating classroom and museum that can travel the ICW and bring the tug to kids... If we don't preserve the history, then who will?
(Presently at USNS Little Creek... interested parties should contact the Zuni/Tamaroa Maritime Foundation.) or contact me via the email function.
Ooog. Good point, that, but remember that she'll not have a full compliment of men, nor totally topped-off tanks for either water or fuel, no ammo or stores aboard, only enough cordage and cable to tie up and do the odd demonstration and consequently will be "riding high" in the water. (Right now better than 1/4 of her rudder is exposed.) I think she's showing a draught of about 11 foot right now. I WILL pass this along, though and thank you for the insight! (Never even occurred to me!)
I remember that directive in 1985 when I was a Deckie on the Citrus. If I remember right, it lasted less than a year because we were putting fancy work back on the hand rails a few months before I left for "A" school. It was right about the same time the "Yost" guard came into existance and we lost our beards.
Always figured that fancy work was a waste of time. Fancy Work was for BMs that were either too lazy to do their jobs or didn't know how to do their jobs. If it has a practical purpose that is one thing but Fancy Work just for the sake of Fancy Work (as in hand rails and stanchions) is a total waste of time. (not to mention gaudy and impractical) If you couldnt tell I'm not a big fan of Fancy Work. Just my opinion. Dave
Always figured that fancy work was a waste of time. Fancy Work was for BMs that were either too lazy to do their jobs or didn't know how to do their jobs. If it has a practical purpose that is one thing but Fancy Work just for the sake of Fancy Work (as in hand rails and stanchions) is a total waste of time. (not to mention gaudy and impractical) If you couldnt tell I'm not a big fan of Fancy Work. Just my opinion. Dave
Dave, You just didn't spend enough time on Ocean Station. Fancywork did a fine job of keeping the deck force busy while floating around on Ocean Station November for a month at a time.
He is actually arriving here today. We'll drink a beer to you. Once he leaves here he heads to Reno for the CG Reunions (there are two of 'em) that are taking place there later this month.
Smallest "motor lifeboat" I was on on Ocean Station was a 255'.
I've always admired you crazy guys that go out in the small boats. Me? I like a lot of ship around me.
Did you know my niece's ex-husband? Scott Clendenin?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ex_CG_GM,
As an EN at a lifeboat station the BMs would teach us how to do some of the fancywork as a way to pass time on cold winter nights. Sometimes we would make knot boards as gifts to departing shipmates or for visiting dignitaries. It has been so long now, I have trouble tying my shoes.
More to bump this than anything else, but I'm STILL looking for pictures someone may have (even in the background) of fancyworked rails... ringbolt hitches, Mokus, french wraps...anything at all.
Does anyone remember how to "split" a turkshead around a bulkhead rail support? I do one based on the 4-pass turkshead but it takes forever to do one and I've a commission to do three flights of stairs! I'm looking for a faster and easier way of doing these.
