Grace's Logbook #1 - After The Storm

The Grace Rebuilding Series

Coming Back From Helene - Grace Lives, Again!

This is the first entry of Grace's Logbook, the continuation to Grace's life story outlined in the wonderful soon to be published biographical book Grace Lives. When the book concluded, Grace's long and illustrious 112 year old life had nearly been ended when she was struck down by Hurricane Helene. Grace's Logbook will allow her admirers to follow along with Grace's reconstruction and future life.

Thankfully, Grace's story will not end with the destruction inflicted by a tornado. Her structure was damaged, but not her soul. Nor was the spirit dampened of those people who believe that a vessel as memorable as Grace adds value to all of our lives. Grace will live to cruise again thanks to hard work, good fortune, and the generosity of so many.

First Steps....

Once transported to Thunderbolt Marine, Inc. (TMI) in Thunderbolt Georgia, the team of craftsmen there went to work to help develop and design a reconstruction plan. for Grace. Of her many needs, the priorities were as follows:

• Design and construct a new metal superstructure that would support a new canvas canopy. The previously fabricated structure had been fabricated from stainless steel in the early 2000's. It was not original to the boat, it was not "period correct" as far as materials go, and it was completely destroyed by the storm. The Grace Club and TMI teams agreed that a more period appearing material was in order. A Copper-Nickel alloy was chosen for its high strength and durability in a marine environment, with the added aesthetic benefit of a patina which would more closely match bronze, the material most likely used when she was originally built in 1913. A new canvas enclosure will also be crafted.
• Re-create the lost mast. The mast design will be upgraded to allow a halyard system of lines and pulleys to display signal flags and burgees, a more robust mount for the radar dome, and a lighting system to improve both her visibility as well as her evening aesthetics. Lastly, an air powered brass signaling whistle will be added to improve overall navigational safety as well as add a touch of period correct whimsy.
• Re-configure and reconstruct the seating and furniture above deck.  Grace Club Founding member, board member, and Grace Club official shipwright Dan Van Epp with founder Mary Stahlman began designing a much more functional floor plan to allow guests to enjoy the cruise in an even more elegant fashion. Dan will fabricate the various items in his shop, and Capt. Adam Jay, and Capt. Trey Snow will apply the finish.
• Re-build the mahogany hand rail. Torn apart by the storm, the prior design will be upgraded with an eye-catching forward facing swoop design that will add to both the safety and aesthetics of the bow area.
• Re-configuring and installing a new, more robust and reliable drive shaft. The existing shaft has been rebuilt many times over the years making it a weak point. A new design with the addition of a robust thrust bearing aft will assure a long life of trouble free operation. (This part of the project will be accomplished at a future date)
• Re-wiring of the damaged electrical lighting system above deck.
• Restore the burgundy boot stripe along her waterline that was scrubbed off by the storm debris.

With final designs agreed upon, and financing in hand thanks to the insurance benefits, many personal donations, proceeds from a strong membership drive, with additional funds generated from fundraising efforts including...generous donations from The Artists of Palmetto Bluff, Music With Friends on the Bluff, and the South Street Partner's golf tournament (The Grace Cup), work will begin soon on Grace's reconstruction. The estimated time to completion and return to service is approximately 4 months.

First order of business, however...get Grace out of the water and into the construction building.