Ron J
Active member
Today,as just about every Sunday morning,between 5 or 6 a.m., i head to Rowley,a small town about 25 minutes from Beverly. My destination is "Todd's Farm", a decent size flea market. Vendors from Maine,N.H.,and Ma.,sometimes Rhode Island are there. About 70% are "regulars",as is being there every week. You never know what you will find. I am personally looking for nautical items, or Coast Guard related items. Today,i mean this morning,around 6:30 a.m. while most normal people are still sleeping,i made a purchase,well probably a few by then. I came to a "new" vendor,selling a good assortment of everything. I spotted an older painting of a vessel. It had the letters/number combination of CG 82309. Hmmmm. This interpreted to me, Coast Guard 82 footer,serial #309. Interesting,but i don't collect paintings.Usually couldn't care less,or bother looking at it,BUT Coast Guard? I asked about it,history? and of course the "magic number",How Much??$$$ He replied its WWII,and its worth $100,but todays special,$50. Music to my ears,but not FIVE O ! WWII? No Way,i was thinking... The Coast Guard didn't mark their hulls with C G back then,only numbers. I offered him $40 for the painting. He asked his BOSS,(his wife)and he went on to an other customer. The BOSS hemmed & hawed a little,and said,okay!,but hurry while my other half is busy. I just paid,and walking off,a guy walking by me, stated, "Wow,1969 huh?" My suspicions were right,Not WWII,but Vietnam!! That made sense.I knew the Coasties were in Nam,covering the inlets,and rivers. I was pretty happy now,figuring i made a personal score for myself.
Come to think of it,i was thrilled! Tonight i finally had time to check out the Coast Guard Historical site,to "run the numbers". I punched in "CG 82309" and up popped all the 82 footers,by sequence. Born in Curtis Bay,MD in 1961. At the time,the C.G. did not name patrol craft,shorter than 100 feet.In 1964,they were assigned names.This vessel is POINT ARDEN. She was assigned to Point Pleasant New Jersey,from 1961 to 1965,for law enforcement,and search and rescue. From July 1965 to Feb 1970,she was assigned to CG Squadron One,Division 12, VIETNAM! Now the sad part...... She was decommissioned 14 February 1970. She was "transfered" i mean handed over,to the South Vietnam Govt. as "Pham Ngoc Chau". Personally i think that sucks! 
If i were a crewmember aboard her,serving,and was ordered to do that,i think a valve or two might have been left open.... Now if i could find out who the artist was,and if he were a crew menber? Rj[attachment 60865 portmarine033.jpg][attachment 60866 portmarine032.jpg][attachment 60867 portmarine031.jpg]
Come to think of it,i was thrilled! Tonight i finally had time to check out the Coast Guard Historical site,to "run the numbers". I punched in "CG 82309" and up popped all the 82 footers,by sequence. Born in Curtis Bay,MD in 1961. At the time,the C.G. did not name patrol craft,shorter than 100 feet.In 1964,they were assigned names.This vessel is POINT ARDEN. She was assigned to Point Pleasant New Jersey,from 1961 to 1965,for law enforcement,and search and rescue. From July 1965 to Feb 1970,she was assigned to CG Squadron One,Division 12, VIETNAM! Now the sad part...... She was decommissioned 14 February 1970. She was "transfered" i mean handed over,to the South Vietnam Govt. as "Pham Ngoc Chau". Personally i think that sucks! If i were a crewmember aboard her,serving,and was ordered to do that,i think a valve or two might have been left open.... Now if i could find out who the artist was,and if he were a crew menber? Rj[attachment 60865 portmarine033.jpg][attachment 60866 portmarine032.jpg][attachment 60867 portmarine031.jpg]
