This party fishing boat has been around for a long time. Despite never having been aboard her, she was a familiar site for years in the waters around Port Jefferson. Built in 1962 at the Deebold Boat Works of Atlantic City, she served time as the Big Day and the Captain John in several New Jersey towns before arriving in Port Jefferson. Walking around the docks this summer, I saw her rotting away just west of the ferry terminal. A worker on a nearby boat said she was for sale, but there were no offers.
This past week I learned that the Port Jeff Ace had been demolished and the debris was being trucked away.
Times Beacon: Nautical Nostalgia Takes A Licking
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15 comments:
Too bad. You could have had a free boat :)
Sad. Judging from this photo, it seems like the boat had seen better days.
It's seems when you connect something like a boat with past history the boat itself seems like a living thing-and now its gone-sad although I'm not sure exactly why.
She seemed like everything a party boat needed to be. Too bad it wasn't used to teach kids about our wonderful Long Island Sound; how to respect it, save it and enjoy it.
It was in pretty bad shape. It wasn't even seaworthy enough to be towed to a scrap yard.
It looks like the ol LENNY out of Belmar NJ
Sad to see. When I was growing up, it was owned by a man named Joe Cash, who was my 9th grade math teacher (and a pretty darn good one).
The Ace was my familys boat, i miss it very much but all good things must come to an end i guess. Many people thought the boat was a dump but it was my life, i loved it.
Thanks for visiting Anonymous.
There are a lot of people over at the Saltwater Nor'east Forum who have fond memories of her as well.
It is always sad to see a boat go.
My mother's family owned that boat (The Cash's). I remember going out fishing on it with my family and my grandfather. Good times.
Rob
Some of my earliest and fondest memories of fishing were on this boat. I caught my first bluefish when I was a mere 6yrs old. A birthday present from my big brother. Im still hooked to this day! RIP ACE
Thanks for visiting, Rob. I have heard from numerous people who have fond memories of the PJ Ace. She was a true fixture in Port Jeff.
Yesterday I just used a Father's Day gift certificate that I received last year. It was for a boat in Captree State Park. I had such a nice time that tonight I looked up the Ace in Port Jefferson. I had seen it these many years, and now was my time to take advantage of her being so close. The news, even though it was old news was really upsetting. That it is no longer and had to be demolished is a darn shame. Annonymous wrote, "...all good things must come to an end i guess." That was one good thing that never should have come to an end." - - The Ace was a Port Jefferson landmark!
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