As the 2017 U.S.S. Saratoga Association Reunion was drawing near, plans were already in the works by a couple of Saratoga shipmates to try and salvage some of the ship that for many of us was called home for a brief period. Saving anything of the USS Saratoga had to be done now before it would soon be completely gone forever. A new development put wind back in the sails of the few that wanted something to remember the ship that we called home, and made many of us what we are today.
After years of negotiations with Esco Marine, hopes were just about to fade following the company filing for bankruptcy. But now a new company, Steelcoast Marine, was extending an invitation to continue the quest to completion. After the conclusion of the 2017 Reunion two shipmates, John Lipscomb and Truman Chastain, were charting their travel route to Brownsville, Texas with trailer in tow. They really did not know what to expect. But something/anything would be better than nothing.
And as the story would unfold, they returned home with 4 tons of various Saratoga Steel.
The ships nameplate, or “Stern Plate” (as it’s called today) was graciously restored by Jeff Ferguson of Piedmont Metals and repainted by Dan’s Paint. Both companies were located in Demorest, Georgia.
The Stern Plate made a hotel appearance at our 2019 reunion in Charleston, South Carolina and has since moved to its current location on the U S Naval Station, Mayport, Florida.
Mayport was homeport for the USS Saratoga from 1957 until its’ decommissioning in 1994. The Stern Plate was placed on display at the Foc’sle Lounge (formal CPO Club) where it resides still today. You can watch the Saratoga Homecoming to Mayport on this website under the “LINKS” tab and click on Stern Plate Returns to Mayport video.
The Association offers a BZ, Bravo Zulu, to John and TC and any other shipmate that played a role in this endeavor.