Thanks for the ... 'it was a successful TUGFEST 2008' post earlier this morning ! Hope to hear more on this forum of how much of a success it was, how many vessels attended, if you were able to hold a fundraiser, how much you netted in dollars and volunteer interest - what your plans are for future events.

I heard from attending Maritime Artist John Ritter that he did well offering his prints. He said it with a big smile on his face so I knew he was happy to have been there. Who won the Tug BALTIMORE oil (or acrylic?) painting raffle - or was that a silent auction held under the pavilion?

Glad, as well, to hear that you will be providing occasional updates to the wonderful "turn of fortunes" for this historic vessel. Hope to hear more of just what those turns of fortune may mean for saving Tug BALTIMORE.

I sincerely hope that Steam Tug BALTIMORE'S turn-of-fortune will ALSO include her being pulled out to keep her from sinking.

The best update you could provide us all is by making an announcement that the Baltimore Museum of Industry has made arrangements to place the BALTIMORE on their own waterfront property where the vessel can still be visited and interpreted while she awaits a new hull.

I should personally believe that anything short of addressing the existing condition of the tug's now-fragile hull (including her below decks stress points) would somewhat negate the need for above-the-waterline reconstruction/preservation.

It may well come down to asking the museum to chose between saving the tug from sinking and relinquishing a few of their waterside parking spaces. Then again, some of us may not know all of the reasons for delaying hauling the tug out.

Knowing that the museum doesn't link from their web site to this one they could, however, easily come to these forums and inform our site visitors of their plans for the tug. The tug is still their artifact and part of their collection isn't it?

I have heard that they've submitted grant proposals. Have they also considered a museum-wide fund raiser?

Glad to know that Tropical Storm HANNA treated the old girl kindly. Much success at churning up a prop wash of public awareness at next month's 35th Annual Fells Point Fun Festival (FPFF) October 4-5, 2008 11 am to 7 pm.

I've included the FPFF link below. Let us know where you'll be setting up your displays so that your Cyber Mates can stop by to meet and greet.

Standby All Lines!
Walt
PS Your mentioning that you "are continuing to uncover helpful research information about the professional life of the "Baltimore", brings up another question. Would it be possible to let us know, using a sentence or two on the front page marquee, when you've added such 'helpful research information' to the site? Tnx