PBM Mariner sunk in Lake Michigan in 1959

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11319

Wonder if it is still there?????

Quote:

According to the (7 June 1959) Chicago Tribune, 19 ex-USCG Mariners were purchased by Stanley Layne of Dune Acres, Indiana. One was moored, and later sank after it broke loose, near the Chicago filtration plant. It was possibly N4247A, BuNo 84732.

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:36 pm

good question..... but unfortunately taras lyssenko of a & t recovery is long gone as a wix poster. he has the navy blessing to do the recoveries out of lake michigan. hope he still lurks, would love his feedback!!

Curtis Block · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:49 pm

If it was put on the civil register the military would nave nothing to do with it. Maritime salvage laws should apply. I would be more worried about it possibly being in shallow water where it could have been considered a hazard to shipping and removed or destroyed.

marine air · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:37 pm

three reasons if true this could be a great find;

1) It would be in cold fresh water and likely well preserved
2) Like the example at Pima, it had an N-number so there would not be a battle with the U.S. Navy over ownership
3) Being as late as 1959, and with an N-number, maybe it was one of the 28 converted into an amphibious models(PBM-5A) with wheels like the one at Pima, making it a practical airworthy candidate for the warbird scene!

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:41 pm

This is the kinda stuff i live for.

Dan K · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:44 pm

For all those junior Dick Tracy's out there, here's a little something to get you started:

Chicago Trib article archive listing on those PBM's.

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotrib ... (1872-1963)&edition=&startpage=14&desc=THAT+BIG+PLANE+IS+FOR+SALE--18+OTHERS%2C+TOO

Also, MSN gives two positive hits for a Stanley Lane of Indiana.

cg51 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:15 pm

Just checked the Archives and found the 2 articles that were written about my dad in the 80's when he was building scoop and doghouses for the Mustangs

JDK · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:55 pm

marine air wrote:

three reasons if true this could be a great find;

1) It would be in cold fresh water and likely well preserved
2) Like the example at Pima, it had an N-number so there would not be a battle with the U.S. Navy over ownership
3) Being as late as 1959, and with an N-number, maybe it was one of the 28 converted into an amphibious models(PBM-5A) with wheels like the one at Pima, making it a practical airworthy candidate for the warbird scene!

Just wondering what the largest aircraft to date that has been restored from a (fresh) water recovery to airworthy condition. Obviously this excludes temporary submission as the result of ditching and immediate recovery.

As to 'practical airworthy candidate' I'd like to believe that possible, but large flying boats and even amphibians just don't get the support, financially or in interest required. I'd love to be wrong there.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11319

Dan K wrote:

For all those junior Dick Tracy's out there, here's a little something to get you started:

Chicago Trib article archive listing on those PBM's.

Navy Pier is downtown, right near Meigs Field (RIP- Daley Jr., your dad is rolling in his grave you slimy bastid).

The water treatment plant is adjacent to and just North (to the lower left in the photo) of Navy Pier, both of which are inside the breakwater.

http://www.algor.com/news_pub/cust_app/ ... ardine.asp
http://www.navypier.com/home.html
http://www.navypier.com/pressroom/pr_history.html

Quote:

Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

My guess is that it was salvaged due to the ships docking at the pier, but I hope I'm wrong:

Quote:

1959
The Pier is widened by 100 feet with the construction of the South Dock. At its peak in 1964, Navy Pier was handling 250 overseas vessels annually and was one of the greatest inland ports in the world.

bdk, Chicago native now in the land of fruits and nuts

Dan K · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:20 am

JDK wrote:

Just wondering what the largest aircraft to date that has been restored from a (fresh) water recovery to airworthy condition. Obviously this excludes temporary submission as the result of ditching and immediate recovery.

As to 'practical airworthy candidate' I'd like to believe that possible, but large flying boats and even amphibians just don't get the support, financially or in interest required. I'd love to be wrong there.

Temporary submission? James, does that mean you enjoy only short spankings?

I think I'll have to politely disagree on your last comment though. Here in the states there is a sizable support group for amphibians--especially recondtioned Hu-16's. Typically they're not being rebuilt to military stock, but rather into flying recreation vehicles. Still, they are being taken care of.

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:32 am

I'm not even going near the first question...

You make a good point, Dan, but I was really thinking of the next level - the well over value cash and interest required to rebuild a wreck or a freshwater ditching. While there's a great array of wonderful vintage marine types in the US, I don't know of any that are of that level of rebuild investment. Taking a HU-16 from a boneyard and getting it flying is a great achievement; but it's not bent and doesn't need a new mainspar...

As I say, I'd love to be wrong there, but.

Dan K · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:26 am

JDK wrote:

I'm not even going near the first question...

You make a good point, Dan, but I was really thinking of the next level - the well over value cash and interest required to rebuild a wreck or a freshwater ditching. While there's a great array of wonderful vintage marine types in the US, I don't know of any that are of that level of rebuild investment. Taking a HU-16 from a boneyard and getting it flying is a great achievement; but it's not bent and doesn't need a new mainspar...

As I say, I'd love to be wrong there, but.

I'd agree with that.

By the way: A vicious rumor spreading at Flypast suggests that you may be one year closer to the end. If so, congratulations on being one year closer to the end. :wink:

Django · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:24 pm

If that is the filtration plant that was there in the 60s, then I highly doubt it is still there. Maybe there is another further down the coast?

Dan K · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 2:57 pm

Django wrote:

If that is the filtration plant that was there in the 60s, then I highly doubt it is still there. Maybe there is another further down the coast?

Chicago Tribune article states that the PBM was moored near Navy Pier.

Cubs · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:21 pm

http://www.uscg.mil/History/WEBAIRCRAFT ... n_PBM.html

Just thought I'd post a link. Was curious about the paint scheme.

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PBM Mariner sunk in Lake Michigan in 1959

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