[Dixielandjazz] Lane Victory Cruises

[BSimp57584 at aol.com]

I mentioned the Lane in a previous message. Here's my response to Dick 
Redmond's query...

> >> >>> would like to get info from you about your cruise to Catalina. 
>> 
>> 
>> Hi Dick, 
>>    The Lane Victory is a WWII cargo ship that a group of us, the Merchant 
>> Marine Veterans of World War II, saved from the scrap heap. President Reagan 
>> deeded it to us in 1988 with the idea of restoring it into a Living Memorial 
>> for the Seamen who were lost in the war. The battered, rusty hulk when we 
>> got it has been completely brought to life, while retaining it's original 
>> equipment wherever possible. Took untold hours of volunteer labor, but it is 
>> now beautiful. We have two excellent historic museums aboard. Last week we 
>> sailed it down to San Diego for 5 days. 
>>    It is berthed in San Pedro, California. Each year we take 6 one-day 
>> cruises out toward Catalina Island. I make up a different Dixie band for each 
>> cruise, selecting the finest musicians available. I play piano, thereby 
>> playing with all of the good guys. 
>>    We board around 7:30 AM, set up, have a continental breakfast, and sail 
>> at 9:00. We take around 700 passengers. We play throughout the day, breaking 
>> for various ceremonies, ship's tours, lunch, etc. Around 2:00 PM we're 
>> attacked by 4 Nazi planes, bent on sending us to the bottom. Our guns blast 
>> away, hoping to knock them down. Soon 2 American planes come to our rescue and 
>> after dog fights, the six of them join for a fly over. It's a great show. One 
>> year we had a Navy Atomic Sub surface along side of us, and last year a 
>> Navy Frigate sent a boarding party aboard our ship. Heading back to our berth, 
>> we're met by several byplanes, doing loops and other neat things. 
>>    Playing all day on the hatch under a sun screen seems like a tough gig, 
>> but it is often broken up. Musicians love it. We play up to when the gangway 
>> is down and passengers are leaving. We dock around 5:30 PM.
>>    The cruises are in July, August and September, and although I have the 
>> bands lined up for this year, changes are often made. We're a nonprofit 
>> organization, but I pay $100 and a free ticket for a spouse or whatever. An 
>> excellent lunch is provided along with beer, wine and soft drinks throughout the 
>> day. It's a wonderful experience. 
>>    So Dick, that's the story. Please send me your home address and I'll 
>> send you a flyer. Thanks for expressing your interest.
>>                                            bob
>> 
>> Bob Simpson
>> Yellow Houn Dawg Jazz Band
>> 1065 Lomita Blvd. #71
>> Harbor City, CA 90710
>> 310/325-8259
>>    
>> 
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