The crew of the USS Aries Hydrofoil Memorial were elated when they acquired a special service landing craft vessel through the Missouri State Agency for Surplus Property (MOSASP). Originally, a hauling vessel for the Army Corp of Engineers, this 30-plus year-old craft was deemed surplus by the federal government and granted transfer to the Memorial in May for $7,000.
Located at the confluence of the Gasconade and Missouri Rivers, the USS Aries Hydrofoil Memorial is a museum that includes the namesake of the organization, which was the last hydrofoil ship used by the United State Navy. Among other displays are boats and barges that are located on a historical Army Corp of Engineers boat manufacturing facility.
When the special service vessel became available on GSAXcess, a letter of intent, along with a letter of support from MOSASP, was submitted, which ultimately lead to the property being allocated to the museum. The vessel will be used for museum operations.
“There are very few donees that are able to acquire vessels, I was extremely excited for this opportunity for MOSASP,” MOSASP Administrative Support Assistant Tammy Anderson said.
The crew (BJ Meinhardt, Bob Meinhardt, and Sam Voss) had to determine the readiness of the vessel, which was docked in St. Louis. After six trips to get the vessel ready for the 130-mile trip, all was a “go” to take the vessel up the Mississippi River to the confluence of the Missouri River, and then to museum near Gasconade[LS1], Missouri.
On Wednesday, June 3, the vessel left St. Louis. After a full day of work, the crew stayed in St. Charles, Missouri that night.
Perfect weather accompanied the voyage as it headed up-stream from Missouri’s first capitol. The river was perfect since it was neither too high nor too low…as it can be at flood stage during this time of year. While rain had been plentiful the week prior, clear skies and sun followed the crew to Gasconade.
On the voyage, the crew had to pay close attention to navigation signage so the vessel would not hit a sandbar, which can be plentiful and unpredictable, especially on the Missouri River.
On Thursday, the crew made it safely back to Gasconade, making the trip more quickly than anticipated.
BJ Meinhardt said the vessel achieved between six to seven miles per hour on the journey, ultimately cutting one day off the planned three-day trip.
“Any day on the river is a good day,” BJ said.
The vessel will be used for the museum as a display and as support for the museum’s endeavors. Since the vessel can haul vehicles and supplies, it will open up transportation possibilities on the river.
“Having a marine museum on the confluence of the Gasconade and Missouri Rivers poses many unique problems. The seasonal flooding of two different rivers coming from different directions means we always have to be on guard to protect the museum exhibits,” USS Aries Hydrofoil Memorial’s Eliot James stated. “The addition of a historic landing craft from MOSASP is a huge benefit to this endeavor, both in terms of another exhibit but also as a vessel that lets us move materials, supplies, and equipment from the banks of the rivers around the harbor to the museum ship, the USS Aries HMI in emergencies.”
The museum was very pleased with their new vessel, along with all the property they have acquired through MOSASP. The crew frequently utilizes GSAXcess to locate items to help further the mission. For the museum, GSAXcess is one of the best tools in their toolbox.
While the landing craft worked for years near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, its new home at the confluence of the Gasconade River promises to provide many more years of life for this historic craft.