Day Trippers!
Duckboat Tours
It swims like a duck, but drives like a car... it must be a Duck Boat!
Ted Greenberg,
Are you looking for a new and different way to see part of the
southern New England shoreline?
Starting this summer, the neighboring towns of Westerly, RI and
Pawcatuck, CT have begun offering a unique tour of the two historic
communities.
It's a 70 minute tour that goes by land and water on board an
authentic "duck boat", a renovated World War II amphibious landing vehicle.
These vehicles were designed during the early days of the war, in
order to unload men and cargo from their ships in places where ordinary dock
facilities had been destroyed or did not yet exist. These amphibious
military personnel carriers are half boat and half truck, and are capable of
running on land and water. The first was actually a GMC truck enclosed in a
water-tight shell with an added propeller.
Designed after the attack on Pearl Harbor and code named DUKW, these
vehicles played a crucial role in the allied invasions of Sicily, the
Pacific, and were used during D-Day. More than 40% of the "over-beach"
supplies for Normandy were transported by DUKWs during the first four
months, where 2000 DUKWs were used! This fleet was a strategic surprise
effectively used against an enemy whom had assumed that the allies needed to
take a port, in order to make an effective invasion.
Over 21,000 of these vehicles were produced, mostly by women workers, during
the war effort. After the war, many were left behind in the towns and
villages where they had operated, so today they can still be seen all over
the world. DUKWs are still used today for civilian rescue during floods and
natural disasters.
Reservations are strongly recommended. Departure schedules are subject to change (due to inclement weather, not enough riders, etc.)
Visit the Website
Admission:
Adults - $15.00
Kids(3-11) - $10.00
Kids(2 and under) - $3.75
Copyright © 2008, WTIC
|
|
|
|
E-mail story
Print