History by Hitchman

As mentioned previously here, Mr. Jim Hitchman of Waldport has been hard at work on a book project about the Port of Toledo's first 100 years, a historical account of the trials and tribulations of a small port district. Here he is, buried in his research.Last July, Mr. Hitchman donated his Teak Lady Sloop, the Ma Zu, to the Port of Toledo. She is 17 feet long, 6 feet wide, and was built in 1958 in Hong Kong.The sloop has some pretty significant damage caused by a crash with a 36-foot fishing vessel in Yaquina Bay last summer. Once it is restored to its previous condition, the Ma Zu will be used in the Toledo Youth Boating Club Program, and will be on display at our 2010 Wooden Boat Festival as well. Here she is last year with Port Secretary Debbie Scacco. Here is a shot of Mr. Hitchman working on his beautiful boat in South Beach before it was damaged.Rick Johnson, left, and Michael Bogoger are hard at work restoring the vessel to her original beauty. She is pictured behind them here.The Port is very grateful to Mr. Hitchman for his generous donation of this beautiful sailboat, and for all his hard work and diligence in his historical book project. Salud!! We are very much looking forward to seeing the book.