Murder of a Sailboat
Two days before Hurricane Isaac came ashore, I walked the beaches of South Mississippi taking what I term ‘before’ pictures. You see, I have survived direct hits by Fredrick, Elena, Georges, Katrina, and near misses from Rita, Gustav, Mitch, Dennis, Debbie and others. Its one thing that remains the same in each: visit the beach right before the storm to get one last look in at how it is now– as it may be vastly different on your next visit.
Just washed up ashore, within sight of the marina she may have once been tied up at…
Miss Vickie from another angle. Other than a popped wire or two on her mast, she appeared seaworthy.
Close up, notice her boat ID number on her bow.
Here we see the Miss Vickie, a 20-25 foot sailboat (boat id number MI6883 BS) that was left adrift along the Mississippi Coast just before Hurricane Isaac. Here she is washed up along the beach in about a foot of water (at low tide). She appeared dry but with a few torn supports on her mast. With the help of a commercial tow service she could have quickly been pulled free, especially at high tide.
Here is the poor Miss Vickie (same ID number) hard aground the day after Isaac on Mississippi Highway 90 about a half mile from where the above picture series was taken. She rolled several times. Her mast is broken. Her hull is shattered along the keel in many places. She will never be moved again except by a bulldozer.
JB Weld aint gonna be able to fix that……
In the boat salvage business, this would be a total loss..
Of course, Isaac will take the wrap, but I think he was framed.
Looks like Miss Vickie was set out to be “taken care of” by the storm, and insuarance does the rest. Looked like a beautiful boat, sorry to see that…my boat “Passin Bass” will never be abandon like that.
I enjoy your posts about the beach. Over 30 years ago, I was involved with the ownership of the Long Beach Ramada Inn and other properties in Gulfport and near Pascagoula. I have many fond memories of those times and the people. Great days!
Wayne,
Small world! Thank you for the feedback, sir.
Chris
Actually, Wayne is my uncle who was a B-25 tail gunner in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. The journal he kept during that time is posted in “Wayne’s Journal”.
Yes, it is a small world, but my experiences “on the beach” are from ancient times — before the advent of casinos.