World War II era ship visits Amelia Island

Article and photos by Michael Spicer

The White Holly, a WWII era US Navy ship, formerly USN yard freighter YF-341, is currently visiting our area for an undetermined amount of time until a port for some needed repairs and the next client is located. Captain Vincent Backen invited us aboard to do a pre-arranged interview during his busy schedule. He kindly sat for a few questions and some photos before asking his first mate and newly-wed son, Matthew, to give us a tour of the ship.

The ship was built and commissioned in Napa California on D-Day in 1944 and immediately went into service in Hawaii as an ammunition supply ship. It was later decommissioned by the navy in 1947 as the US Coast Guard (WAGL / WLM 543) commissioned her into service in Alaska and later in New Orleans over the next 51 years.

The White Holly is now privately owned and is designated an oceanographic and research vessel which, as a vessel of opportunity, takes it to assignments all over the world. As a high endurance expedition vessel with a shallow draft, the White Holly can travel to any ocean and navigate shallow waters making her ideal for hire. Past contractors have included governments, universities, and individuals doing research and training. The ship has a normal crew of 7 and can accommodate up to 12 additional research personnel. The ship is 133 feet in length, has a beam of 30 feet and displaces 600 tons.

One of Captain Backen’s most notable expeditions over the past 37 years while he has captained the ship took the White Holly to the remote Christmas Atoll and Kingman Reef in the Northern Line Islands in the Pacific for the Scripps Institute as part of the Millennium Ecosystems Assessment in 2005. The White Holly has also been used for activities as diverse as searching for sunken treasure ships, acoustic surveys, fish and whale surveys, and as a maritime training facility for individuals seeking employment credentials for work in the shipping industry to name just a few. Captain Backen is proud of the many people he has helped to become certified as ship’s crew including one individual he trained in 2002 who has since gained the coveted rank of ship’s captain for a major shipping company.

When Captain Backen told us about being caught in hurricane Irene for 5 days, I was about ready to head for firm land just outside on the dock. But not before seeing the rest of his ship!

Matthew, who also lives aboard with his wife, Presley, for much of the year, showed us highlights of the ship from bow to stern which included the engine room that houses the ship’s electrical generators and two powerful Cat 353 diesel engines that drive the propellers, the galley, state rooms and other living quarters, storage and supply areas, and the pilot house (bridge) where some of the original navy equipment for navigation and communications is still intact although more modern equipment has now replaced its functionality. From this vantage point we could see the paper mills and downtown Fernandina out over the bow.

Getting to see one of the few WWII era navy ships that is still underway is a treat, and our appreciation goes out to Captain Backen for giving us a chance to meet him and see things up close. I’d feel comfortable going to sea with him. He said his goal was to comfortably and safely get his customers where they are going and to bring them back alive. I’m all for that! Visit the White Holly website  for more information.

Editor’s Note: Michael Spicer has degrees in Geology and Anthropology, has experience in the energy and insurance industries and is a veteran, a musician, world traveler, environmental fine art photographer, and registered independent. He lives in Fernandina Beach with his wife, artist and author, Carol Beck.  We thank Michael for his contribution to the Fernandina Observer.

September 10, 2013 10:07 a.m.