VTTA Higgins Boat Preservation

This project, completed in 2023, preserved a WWII Higgins boat.  The  boat was found in Lake Shasta during a recent drought in California, when water levels dropped to record levels exposing long-lost relics on the lake floor.  This particular boat was used for training during the war and is one of the few specimens remaining.

The craft was transported from Shasta to Eureka, CA for preservation.  Vietnam combat Veteran Eric Hollenbeck led the preservation team at Blue Ox Millworks.  The boat was then shipped to its permanent home in Seward, Nebraska. 

The Higgins boat was a controversial undertaking during WWII when the Navy department stonewalled any project not designed internally, but political pressure forced the Navy to approve civilian contractors.  Because of this project a special investigation into Navy Department corruption was launched by Harry S Truman which resulted in many members being dismissed.

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