Thomas Colvin design saved from the scrap yard

The real work began in January 2009 when the Sea cadets suited up in their hasmat suites, respirators, and goggles. The enormous job of striping the layers of paint down to bare metal began.

After the entire boat above the water line has been sanded and ground down to bare metal, the sand blasting began on the hull. Through 2009, the progress was slow and sparse as the diving season began aboard the "Pride of Michigan"

An examination of the hull discovered that the metal along the bilge was badly rusted. Conducting a scientific steel strength test with a hammer confirmed it as the hammer went through the steel with ease.

The project went from a fairly simple repaint job to a possible rebuilding of the hull. The morale among the Cadets and Dads dwindled as this project started to become over whelming at the surface with welding new steel in the most crucial area of the boat. With no budget and lack of experience to make the Tamarack sea worthy, the only option was to sell the hull as is or sell the steel for scrap.

After an attempt to sell it on Craig's List without any reasonable offers, It was decided by a few of us visionaries who had great imagination to take on the project as time and money would permit. The Tamarack's classic Thomas Colvin design deserves to set sail once again.

Glen Rowe who has a daughter in the Great lakes division stepped forward with two employees from his business with diverse mechanical backgrounds and an experienced welder.

The first task was to pull the engine, exhaust, drive shaft and water tank to get a clear view of any bad hidden spots that need attention. Jesus and Marco started on 2/4/2010 disconnecting the engine. By the end of the day, they had removed the engine, exhaust and drive shaft. The metal was in bad shape with flaking and thinning as thought.

The next step is to sand blast the entire cabin to expose all of the bad steel. To eliminate the sand covering the entire shop we decided to build a floor to ceiling dust curtain. Using old pallets, steel rods and a roll of fabric we had, Jesus and Marco used their ingenuity and began construction.

With our tight budget I had them collect the used sand from the floor, run it through a screen to separate large Derbies from the good sand and re-use it. The clouds of dust through out the shop grew thicker and it became apparent that we were blasting not only sand, but fine paint, metal and any other dust mixed in with the sand. By the second day, I broke down and bought another 800 pounds of sand.

Jesus and Marco after a long dirty day of sandblasting

History of the "Tamarack"

The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corp Great Lakes Division began the restoration project of the "Tamarack" in December 2008. The "Tamarack"is a 40' Schooner designed by Thomas Colvin in 1968. This one of kind steel hulled schooner was built by Cliff Richardson Boats LTD. in Medford, Ontario for Wilfred & Margaret Greaves. Mr. Greaves passed away in January 1971 after spending several years completing their dream boat for themselves and children. The boat was put on dry dock shorty after his death were it sat for 20 years.

(Above December 23, 2008 - "Tamarack pulled from the ice)

George Perrin of St. Clair Shores, MI. drove by the Greaves Residence in Pontiac, MI and saw the "Tamarack" on blocks with the wear and tear of mother nature taking her toll on the ship for the past 20 years. Mr Perrin purchased the "Tamarack" in June of 1993 were he spent the next four months restoring her. In 2001, Mr. Perrin donated the boat to the Sea Cadets were it was moored next to the "Pride of Michigan" until it was pulled from the icy waters in December 23rd 2008. She was trucked to my shop in Warren were the restoration project began.

(The "Tamarack on dry dock in Warren Michigan.)


L. Adrian Allen