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" As the hull of the USS Cabot CVL-28 slowly fades away the memory of this great carrier, its veterans and their many accomplishments do not.

It is our intention to assist in the preservation of her history, artifacts and memorabilia by supporting the USS CABOT CVL-28 Memorial at the Texas Air Museum in Harlingen Texas, the only known memorial in the world dedicated 100 % to this carrier"


23 March 2003


The
last remains of the stern of the USS Cabot CVL-28 / SNS Dedalo R 01 may be seen on the ramp in the yard at Brownsville.

One thing that remains today is the gift that she gave us. A gift of "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" that the "Iron Woman of the South Pacific" and many of her fine veterans fought to protect.

May God Bless you and this wonderful land.


6 September 2002

It's official ! The Texas Air Museum has been accepted as a member in the World's third largest naval fleet, the Historic Naval Ships Association HNSA for its new project, the restoration of a Vietnam era landing craft
shown here upon it's arrival at the museum. Note the Island Towers of the USS IWO JIMA (port) and USS CABOT (starboard) in the background.


5 June, 2002

A
current photograph of the remains of the USS Cabot.


23 May, 2002

ECOSAT has made a donation to the Texas Air Musuem to enable them to complete the raising of a 2800 sq ft roof for the musuem display area that will house the USS Cabot CVL-28 Memorial.. The donation was made in recogition of RADM James H Scott USN (ret) service to our county and his unwavering dedication for the preservation of US Naval Aviation and Historic Naval Ships.


16 March, 2002

In the shadow of the Iwo Jima's Island tower the center piece of the Texas Air Museum's USS Cabot CVL-28 Memorial, the
Island Tower rises from the ground. Once completed it will join the Cabot's 2800 sq ft CIC, pilot's briefing room and memorabilia display area to tell the story of Ernie Pyle's "Iron Woman of the Pacific".


March 13, 2002

Reports from Brownsville indicate that scrap hauling trucks from Mexico are transporting metal from the remains of the USS Cabot CVL-28.

October 29, 2001

In a ceremony aboard the Battleship USS North Carolina Patrick J. Cunningham, the President of the Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA) presented the Chariman and CEO of ECOSAT, Stephen O'Neal with it's 2001
Russel Booth Award for his efforts to save the USS Cabot CVL-28.

October 8, 2001

These recent photograghs show the USS Cabot in pieces scattered around the scrap yard in Brownsville. Except for the sale and removal of the Island Tower, CIC and Pilots Briefing room to the Texas Air Musuem very little of the material which made up this great ship has been processed or sold.

May 3, 2001

The Texas Air Museum has started a fund raising drive to create a USS Cabot Memorial with artifacts from the ship.
Click here to read their appeal for support.

April 25, 2001

The
latest aerial photograph from Brownsville shows the sad state of the ship. God Bless her and all who served and sacrificed aboard.

April 24, 2001

The Texas Air Museum has taken possession of and completed the transportation of the Island Tower, CIC, Pilots Briefing Room and sections of the rear flight wooden flight deck that was under the Sea Harrier landing pads to their Harlingen based Museum.

March 22, 2001

Since saving the USS Cabot is no longer viable we have removed from our website the sections that contained our Musuem plans and the Newsletter " Flight Deck".

Negotiations are under way for the balance of the web site and the USS Cabot domain to be donated to third parties who will ensure that the history of the Cabot remains on the Inernet for all those who are interested.

March 21, 2001

The most recent
photograpgh was taken on March 19th shows that she is regretably beyond saving.

January 7, 2001

A recent
photograph of the Cabot shows that the bow has been cut off above the waterline as well as the Island Tower and Antennas. We understand that the Island Tower and portions of the Flight Deck have been sold to the Texas Air Museum in Rio Hondo, Texas.

It is their intention to create a Light Carrier Memorial utilizing the Island Tower, forward Flight Deck, Combat Information Center and Pilot's Ready Room. We urge all those who pledged support to ECOSAT to transfer those pledges to the Texas Air Museum at 956-748-2112

While ECOSAT's effort is now inactive and all monies on hand have been refunded it does not mean that we would not resume our effort to restore and preserve the Cabot should the owners elect or be willing to sell.


NOVEMBER 25, 2000

Fifty Six years ago today two Kamikaze Zekes dove on the USS Cabot. One hit the flight deck at frame 26, the other close aboard port quarter, exploding under mount 6. Thirty Five men of the Cabot's Crew were killed and many others were wounded.

Some of those who survived were Captain Howard Skidmoore and his TBF crew who were on the cat hooking up for a shot when one of the Kamikaze's passed so close it hit his propeller knocking it off. A photo and narative of Captain's Skidmoore's amazing experience may be
seen here.

NOVEMBER 15, 2000

Since scrap work aboard the Cabot has now permanently changed the interior condition of the ship ECOSAT has formally revised it's offer to the owners to buy the shell of the Cabot after all interior items have been removed and sold.

NOVEMBER 1, 2000

The reported purpose of the Joint Venture of Maruti Steel / Bedoli Group / Sabe Marine is to take advantage of a new and upcoming Maritime Administration (MARAD) program similar to the US Navy, which pays qualified vendors with a technical plan to scrap ships form the National Defense Reserve Fleet.

The Bedoli Group was awarded three ships under the old MARAD system in October 1999. One of those ships, the SS Builder began to take on water in the James River, VA anchorage in August. of this year.

An emergency bid was issued by MARAD in September for vendors interested in being paid to scrap the Builder. The bid deadline has now been delayed for the third time to November 17 while the USCG investigates the SS Builder's sea worthiness to handle an ocean tow

OCTOBER 30, 2000

It is reported that Maruti Steel has leased local labor to work on removing asbestos from the Cabot. Several of the ship breaking yards in Brownsville utilize the same leasing company.

It is estimated that there are now in excess of 35 laborers working aboard the Cabot, 25 of which have been working since October 14th and are reported to be living and working out of the ship and the old office trailer.

OCTOBER 25, 2000

A
new photograph shows no change in the ship's exterior which would indicate that all work is inside with the material that is being removed stockpiled on the hanger deck.

OCTOBER 24, 2000

Reports from Brownsville are that EPA served four subpoenas on the Joint Venture. Two to PK Patel as the registered agent of Sabe Marine and Maruti Steel Inc, one to Mr. Arun Bhatka in Harlingen who is the registered agent for Bedoli, and one to Mr. Kanti Bhatka in Corpus Christi who is reported to represent Sabe Marine.

While the content of the subpoenas is unknown it is believed that they ask questions relating to former, current and future ownership of the Cabot; current and future plans for the vessel; past / current future happening with PCB's. The initial deadline for response was October 26 but has been extended to November 2.

OCTOBER 22, 2000


Saddled with the dilemma of having enough money to buy but not move the Cabot, ECOSAT searches hard for additional support and finds it, a new offer of $ 400,000 subject to inspection is made. The response is, "not a penny less than $ 600,000".

We have to admit that we are reminded of the old saying, " close but no cigar ! " When the owners have a high price, we do not have the money but when we work harder and find the support they have an even higher price !

OCTOBER 16, 2000

A photo of the
Cabot in her slip in Brownsville. New addition is a gangplank just forward of the aft elevator curtain on the starboard side by the crane. Change in the yard shows the clearing of dirt from the railroad track on the lower left hand corner. The dirt was piled on the tracks during the dredging process of the slip two years ago.

OCTOBER 13, 2000

True to reports twenty five (25) Indian laborers from India under 28 day seaman visas arrive in Brownsville via Houston to commence work on removing "re-usables" from the Cabot. The visas are good to November 10

It is believed that the workers will also be "high-grading" which is a term used to described the removing of metals that are of a higher value than steel, such as red brass, copper, aluminum etc. This type of activity along with environmental work precedes the actual cutting of a ship.

It is interesting to note that since there is a legal injunction on exporting the Cabot to India that India has now been brought to the Cabot.

OCTOBER 11, 2000

A new
photo of the Bedoli leasehold shows the addition of a second trailer, which is to be used as an office trailer. Reports indicate that the original trailer and lean-to sheds which are to the right are to be utilized for imported labor from India.

If you are interested in background information on shipbreaking in the US and India
click here to see the Baltimore Sun's Pulitzer Prize winning article.

Also seen in the photograph is a new parking area, three cranes, earth moving equipment, trash containers, a tool storage container and a white vertical liquid oxygen vessel. Liquid oxygen is mixed with another medium such as propane or natural gas and is used by torches for cutting ferrous metals such as steel and iron.

Piles and sections of cut steel which are not from the Cabot but left over from the fuel barges can be seen in the photograph.

OCTOBER 10, 2000

ECOSAT follows up it's last offer with Sabe Marine and is informed that the Cabot is now for sale from a new Joint Venture of Mr. Sanjay Mehti of Maruti Steel LLC, the Bhakta's Bedoli Group and PK Patel of Sabe Marine.

OCTOBER 9, 2000

A new addition to the History section of the web site called "
The Captains" is being added. In the future we will add a biography for each of the Commanding Officers.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2000

ECOSAT initiates a " Pledge Program" for those supporters of saving the Cabot who are not able to donate or who are not comfortable with making a donation at this time.

We will hold the pledge until we have a legal contract to purchase the Cabot. Once that happens we will contact you and ask you to fullfill your committment by making your donation.

How to make a pledge ?
Click here and you will go directly to the Pledge form that is in the Fund raising section of the web site.

Looking for another way to help ? Print a blank form and send it to a friend or supporter that is not on line.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2000

ABC nightly news airs a piece on MARAD's dilemma, a back log of rusting merchant ships that are increasing in yearly maintenance costs. Current annual costs to maintain the fleet, which is growing in size as more ships are de-commissioned is $17 million.

Interviews with MARAD personnel and politicians reveal that passage of a pending bill in Congress to allow the export of some 39 ships is unlikely and the implementation of a pilot program similar to the US Navy program is the most effective environmental method of disposing of the ships.


SEPTEMBER 25, 2000


Current photography shows no activity in the Bedoli slip. The Cabot is tied off to the center of the slip without a gangplank, the three cranes are in their same position and the sections of fuel barges remain in cut and uncut piles.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2000


Sabe Marine declares yet another deadline (the 5th one this year alone), stating that they will scrap the Cabot unless interested parties come up with the money to buy her before October 1st.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2000

The Federal Court in Brownsville issues a ruling on the final distribution of proceeds from the auction sale. Marine Salvage & Services is awarded $20,000 for its role as Custodian in the Port Isabel arrest and seizure of the Cabot.

The United States Government is ruled to be the prime creditor and will receive the balance of the sale proceeds ($70,000) towards its $500,000 salvage lien on the Cabot dating from New Orleans

SEPTEMBER 9, 2000

First auction anniversary observations.

1. Sabe Marine, the winning bidder at auction, had to take out a business loan in order to buy the Cabot. That loan is now one year old.

2. The US Navy will commence funding $10 million to a new MARAD program in October. This program will pay existing vendors (such as Bedoli) to scrap ships from the MARAD Reserve Fleet.

3. The Bedoli Group has only one slip and the Cabot is in it. Bedoli has expressed interest in scrapping ships from MARAD and is an independent company from Sabe Marine and Global Maritime.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2000

A third party, central to the Cabot / Sabe / Bedoli situation contacts ECOSAT through RADM James Scott with a written offer on behalf of PK Patel / SABE to sell the Cabot.

The terms and conditions of the offer requires:

1. ECOSAT sign a contract by September 8 with a $100,000 deposit.
2. The Cabot is to be sold "as is, where is."
3. Inspection and all cash at closing by September 12.
4. The Cabot must be removed from the Bedoli slip within 30 days.

ECOSAT agrees to all of the terms and conditions, but is forced to counter with a lower purchase price based on the amount of cash-in-hand minus sufficient funds to pay for the removal of the ship as required by condition 4.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2000

Image of Cabot in her berth. Note the position of the three cranes is basically the same as the June 17 photo.

AUGUST 9, 2000

After the EPA alleges another attempt to export the Cabot to India and the passing of four PK / Sabe "scrapping deadlines" this year, ECOSAT commissions a professional scrap evaluation of the USS Cabot.

The result of the new study (based on a zero acquisition cost) is that it would take an experienced fully functioning ship breaking yard 10 -12 months to scrap the Cabot for "a gross loss in excess of $75,000 in today's metal market."

A start up yard with little or no experience in breaking ships under TSCA regulations would take longer and lose even more money. Machinery and other potential reusables on the Cabot are 3 and 4 deck levels down have little commercial value today due to their condition and age.

This does not mean that Sabe might not try to cut her anyway. Rather, it means that in the opinion of certain seasoned professionals scrapping the Cabot is not considered to be commercially viable.

AUGUST 7, 2000

Sabe Marine issues another warning that the Cabot will be cut for scrap at the end of August.

AUGUST 1, 2000

Flight Deck Launch! The first issue of Flight Deck, official Newsletter for ECOSAT's USS Cabot Museum is mailed to the USS Cabot CVL-28 Association, the Historic Naval Ships Association, the USS San Jacinto CVL-30 Association, as well as all CVL and Escort Carrier Association Presidents and other interested parties.

JULY 17, 2000

International Ship Breaking (ISL), the largest ship breaking operation in Brownsville announces that it will lay off over 100 employees in September. This step has come as a result of two factors

1. A sharp drop in scrap metal prices.
2. US Navy funding for this fiscal year is finished.

The US Navy now subsidizes a select group of ship breaking yards to scrap out its surplus warships. "Without this funding it is not economical to break warships in today's metal markets," states one seasoned source at International Ship Breaking.

JUNE 17, 2000

Aerial Photo of Cabot in her berth (credit Bob Berry)

JUNE 15, 2000


The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans files an appeal of the Court's award of Custodial costs to ECOSAT.

The Bedoli Group files an appeal of the Judge's ruling denying a rent increase

JUNE 12, 2000

The Court hears arguments from all parties on distribution of the balance of the auction sale proceeds and issues an order denying the Bedoli Group's request for a rent increase.

MAY 31, 2000

Based on five separate conversations between the principals of Sabe and ECOSAT, a contract to purchase the Cabot is prepared and sent to Mr. Patel and counsel Dennis Sanchez for signature.

MAY 27, 2000

PK Patel calls ECOSAT directly to discuss the sale of the Cabot.

MAY 25, 2000


The US District Court in Houston Texas sends a reimbursement check to ECOSAT for $90,047.06

MAY 23, 2000

In response to ECOSAT's April 18 written offer Mr. Dennis Sanchez, counsel to Sabe, contacts ECOSAT to discuss a counter offer. During the call Mr. Sanchez confirms the elimination of the restrictions on title and royalty fees that had stalled purchase talks at the end of last year.

ECOSAT writes a letter to Richard Moe, President of National Trust for Historic Preservation and Save America's Treasures, informing him that in light of Sabe's relaxed demands, the project to save the Cabot can continue uninterrupted.

In November 1999 ECOSAT had written to Mr. Richard Moe informing him that barring any last minute changes in the Cabot owners restrictions it was the intent of the Trustees of ECOSAT to terminate it's effort to preserve the Cabot upon the reimbursement of its Custodial Costs.

APRIL 19, 2000

At a three-hour hearing in Brownsville, the Court hears testimony from all parties concerning disbursement of proceeds from the auction sale. After listening to all arguments and witnesses, the court orders that ECOSAT be reimbursed $90,047.06 for moneys expended in its role as Custodian for the US Marshals Service during the arrest and seizure.

In a separate order the Court sets down for trial on June 12 the remaining issue, ranking of liens and final distribution of the sale proceeds.

The Court then releases ECOSAT from further legal obligation in this action

APRIL 18, 2000

ECOSAT meets with Mr. PK Patel and counsel Mr. Dennis Sanchez face to face in Brownsville to discuss the pending hearing before the court on the 19th April and the possible purchase of the Cabot.

ECOSAT agrees that, if asked, it will testify on behalf of the Bedoli Group's motion to increase the slip rental payments accumulated during the arrest from $6,000 to $14,000 per month.

In addition, an offer containing two different proposals to purchase the Cabot is presented by ECOSAT and taken into consideration by Mr. Patel and Mr. Sanchez.

An understanding is reached by which both parties will continue to work together in hopes of consummating a successful sale.

MARCH 16, 2000

The Court orders all counsel to appear on April 19th, 2000 for a pre-trail conference and hearing on custodial costs.

MARCH 5, 2000

Sabe Marine issues another deadline that unless the Cabot is sold by the 1st of April it will be cut for scrap. According to news reports the asking price late last year was $800,000. It is not known what amount they are asking for this time

MARCH 3, 2000

The EPA, in a four-page letter (with 17 pages of attachments) to Mr. PK Patel of Sabe Marine Salvage, states that it understands preparations are once again being made to export the Cabot to India to be scrapped.

Reference is made to a September 14th 1999 letter from the Department of Justice, which states that the vessel must comply with the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) prior to export.

The EPA goes on to state that the injunction issued by the US District Court in New Orleans in 1995 barring export remains in effect and that any violation of that order is punishable by $25,000 for each violation of TSCA and up to one year of imprisonment if convicted of willfully violating the law.

In closing the EPA states " the dismantling and sale of components of the vessel (such as the superstructure) without properly removing and disposing of the PCB's would violate TSCA."

Sabe Marine denies they have any plans to export the Cabot.














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