Hi Ginna and Dave!
Here are more info as I have promised in my previous message. I think the
List is interested in knowing more: The Duke is a "personality" (still very
popular here in Italy!) and I hope Mr. Lee will not mind if this subject is
not strictly military vehicles...
CORRECTION: The John Wayne ship did not come from the Canadian Navy but
from the U.S. Navy (apologies!). The 136 foot former WWII U.S.Navy
minesweeper was the Duke favorite possession as he spent as much time as
possible aboard it with his family and close friends cruising off Mexico,
the Pacific Northwest Coast and Catalina.
CORRECTION: The name is WILD GOOSE (not "Blue Goose" again apologies!). The
former name was "La Beverie". The Duke was the 3rd owner and he modified it
extensively (he raised the ceiling because he was a bit too tall!).
It was based at Newport Beach, CA, where it still is, refurbished and
modernized as per strict U.S. Coast Guard regulations. The present owner is
a Santa Monica lawyer. The Wild Goose is available today for dinner cruises.
Characteristics and history:
Shipyard: Ballard Marine Railway Company
Location: Seattle, WA
Keel laid: July 6 1942
Completed: May 26 1943
Naval Background:
Classification: Motor Minesweeper YMS 328, U.S. Navy (481 total vessels
built in this class)
Operations area: Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Guns: (1) 3-inch 50-mm bow, (2) 20-mm
Crew: 4 officers, 29 enlisted men
Retirement: Oct. 29 1946 sent to mothball fleet
Sold: Jan 26 1948 to Hal Jones of Seattle (he undertook first conversion to
private yacht); 2nd owner Max Wyman, then John Wayne.
If somebody is interested in the Duke I suggest to join THE BIG TRAIL and
receive a bi-monthly Newsletter/magazine devoted to every aspect of John
Wayne: films, videos, posters, collectibles, buckles, plates, movie
info/curiosity, etc.
Just send $ 16.oo if you are in the U.S. or $ 22.oo if you live outside the
U.S. to:
Tim Lilley, THE BIG TRAIL, 540 Stanton Avenue, Akron, OH 44301, USA.
A 60 min video is also available "On Board With The Duke. John Wayne and
The Wild Goose" at $ 19.95 plus 3.oo shipping handling from: Invader
Productions, 3857 Birch Street, no. 206, Newport Beach, CA 92660-2660, USA.
Ginna, if you are interested, just send me off list your postal address and
I shall send you good photocopies of the Wild Goose so you may see how it
looks like... I understand you work at the University, I work as head
librarian at the National Reseach Council.
Keep them rolling!
Raimondo
Naples, Italy
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