174th Assault
Helicopter Company
DOLPHINS & SHARKS


Click here to write us at the website


Painting of the USNS Upshur

Webmaster note: I received an e-mail message from John Kerslake, a Navy veteran, who saw our story on the home page of the 174th's "Taxi to the War Zone." He forwarded the below photo of a painting of the Upshur. I've included Mr. Kerslake's note below. Thanks for the photo, John. It's much appreciated. For comparison of the painting against an actual photo, I've included a photo of the ship below that of the painting. --Jim


Subject: USNS UPSHUR
Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 23:09:30 EDT
From: John Kerslake
To: shark4@pop.dn.net

SIR,

I'M A NAVY VET. I SERVED ON THE USS PERKINS, DDR 877. I'M ALSO SORT OF A NAVY BUFF. WELL ANYWAY, I FOUND AN OIL PAINTING OF THE UPSHUR AT A GARAGE SALE. IT HAS BEEN MISTREATED BUT THE PAINTING OF THE SHIP IS IN GREAT SHAPE. WHOEVER PAINTED IT WAS VERY TALENTED AND PROBABLY A MATE ON THE SHIP. JUST THOUGHT YOU PEOPLE OF THE 174 WOULD BE INTERESTED. I'M GOING TO CHECK AND SEE IF THE NAVY WEB SITES HAVE ANY INFO ON MATES THAT SAILED ON HER. I HAVE NO ATTACHMENT TO THIS SHIP AND WOULD DONATE THE PAINTING TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SUCH TIES. I GOT THIS PAINTING IN A SMALL TOWN IN OREGON CALLED CASCADE LOCKS. ANYWAY, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

JOHN KERSLAKE

(Photo furnished by John Kerslake, July 1998. Date of painting or artist not known.)

After a considerable amount of e-mail traffic between John Kerslake and several of us from the 174, John agreed to donate the painting to the 174th AHC Association. The painting is now in the possession of Bernie Cobb, and we will decide final disposition of the painting after reviewing it and discussing an appropriate home during our 1998 reunion in Ft. Walton Beach, FL.

We all wish to thank John Kerslake for salvaging this painting when he saw it at a garage sale and for donating it to us. We fully intent to place the painting where it will continue to be appreciated.