"New York, New York" Destination Attractions Developing in Bangor
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The world's largest fire truck, from New York City, is now part of Jim Dobson's Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum on Patterson Road in Bangor Township.
Jim Dobson shows off his toy collection to visitors.
"New York, New York," could be the slogan local boosters use to bring in tourists to Bay City.
"Destination attractions" here may soon include a former New York City museum ship and the world's largest fire truck that once served the "Big Apple."
The attractions long sought by Bay County tourism promoters are developing in several sites in a former industrial area of Bangor Township.
Tourism sites are developing along a corridor north from Marquette Avenue along PattersonRoad to the mouth of the Saginaw River.
1. The Bangor Township Board has approved acceptance of an offer from Bay County to assume control of the Independence Park Boat Launch and adjoining land for docking the destroyer USS Edson. The deal isslated to be considered for final approval by the Bay County Commission on Tuesday.
2. Jim Dobson has announced the planned September opening of his Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum at 3456 Patterson Road.
3. Dow Chemical Co. and the Saginaw River Marine Historical Society are continuing to cooperate on renovation of the Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse near the mouth of the river. Plans are to open the lighthouse to the public when renovation of the facility is complete.
The Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum has been working for several years to secure a dock facility for the USS Edson and in plans for towing the destroyer through the St. Lawrence Seaway to Bay City.
The USS Edson is similar to destroyersbuilt in Bay City by the Defoe Shipbuilding Company after World War II.
The Edson was distinguished during the Viet Nam War by firing more rounds of 5-inch shells than any other ship in the history of the U.S. Navy.
The ship was retired by the Navy in 1989, converted to a museum ship at a cost of $800,000 and berthed at the Intrepid Air, Sea and Land Museum in New York City.
The historical importance of Edson was further enhanced when it was used for housing firefighters and volunteers after the World Trade Center terrorist disaster of September 11, 2001.
The Edson was moved out of New York to make room for a display of the suspersonic Concorde airplane. It is at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and Sen. Carl Levin, D-MI, has reserved the ship for Bay City with a special provision in the federal budget.
The Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum is seeking about $500,000 additional sponsorship of the ship project, including a state historic marker to be erected as a historical tribute to the personnel of the U.S. Navy and the Defoe Shipbuilding Company.
Besides more than 100 antique fire trucks, Mr. Dobson's 26,000 square foot museum includes more than 4,000 tiny fire trucks in a collection of 12,000 toys made by Tonka and other companies.
He also has a NASCAR model room and one of the biggest collections of Snap-On Tools in the country. His turn-of-the century Bay City fire alarm still dings out messages punched on paper tape just as it did when the city had wooden sidewalks.
Mr. Dobson told reporters that New York would like the huge "super pumper," back. He said he bought the truck at auction a few years ago for $14,000. The truck is believed to be sought for a fire museum honoring heroic 9-11 disaster personnel and reports are that New York has offered pay up to $100,000 for the truck.
The truck is a Mack diesel, 43-foot long, 2,700 horsepower, 68,000 pound vehicle that was custom built for the Fire Department of New York in 1963. The original cost was $865,000. It was manned by 15 firefighters and required 45 personnel for three shifts in a 24-hour period. With vacations and time off, 75 personnel were assigned to the truck, more than the total force in manycities.
The huge truck made 2,285 runs from 1963-1982, including 918 fires, in New York and its pumps were so powerful they pulled hydrants out of the ground, said Mr. Dobson. It drew water only out special high pressure hydrants or the HudsonRiver, he said. The truck pumped 8,800 gallons a minute through a 4 1/2 inch hose a quarter of a mile or more.###
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