Back in May before the beach to beach power swim in St John, I started a blog to help raise funds for wife's swim in support of the friends of the National Park. I know some of you followed the blog.

There were lots of stories of about how she was preparing for the swim and why we have always loved STJ. However there was one flashback to 79 and the story was...

It was 33 years ago that the cruise ship Angelina Lauro was totally destroyed by fire tied to the dock in St Thomas. I was in the Coast Guard at the time and flew over as crewman on helicopter for medical evacuations if needed. A week or two after the harbor fire Janet and I were on island. We rented a scooter to zip around STT and go over STJ. (First visit to St John - April 1979). Janet a seasoned biker turned over driving responsibilities to her novice, but well meaning, husband of 6 months. Well I did ok... until�. we stopped at the overlook to look down on the carcass of the burnt ship. In my excitement to take a picture, I jumped off the bike causing the scooter�s muffler to fall on my sweetie�s leg. To this day she still has a mark on her leg! Guess what� she has never been on a bike with me since. Come to think of it� that was the last time I drove anything with a motor and two wheels.

... i wonder what ever happened to that picture of the ship... i know where to find the burn mark, but not the picture

Well today I found the picture! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />



I had to scan the negative and time has not treated it so well, but I found it!

BTW the burn is still on my wife's leg and she is in much better shape the negative. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />



The Harbor of Charlotte Amalie in April 1979 with one burnt shipped tied to dock. The Cruise ship dock has changed a litte... do you think?