Began my usual scan of posted replies and got to thinking about the concrete ship I’d dined aboard as a kid growing up in FWB. Then your post and picture appeared to satisfy my curiosity. Thanks Red Badger.
It’s still there........It is anchored and tied down in a small, possibly man-made, finger of water between Santa Rosa Sound and Highway 98, with Okaloosa Island between the sound and the Gulf of Mexico.
Back in 1995 when we had Hurricane Erin (and 2 months later Opal!) the owners of The Boat (that’s the name!) decided to STAY ABOARD IT DURING THE HURRICANE!
Little did they realize that it would be one of the scariest things they ever would do!
When the hurricane hit full force, the Tidal Surge came across Okaloosa Island like it wasn’t even there. Then the Sound filled up and all the boats that people had anchored in it, thinking it was ‘safe harbor’ started lifting from their anchors and were washed ashore winding up on Highway 98! That includes The Boat they were on, except it stayed put and the mooring lines were tighter than they had ever been intended to be. The people on The Boat, about six of them IIRC, were scared to death that they were going to become passenger on a short cruise across Highway 98 and into the parking lot of the businesses across the street! They watched as boat after boat came in from the sound and grounded on the asphalt of the main highway, thinking they would soon join them. The winds were a Cat 3 and the tidal surge had crossed the Highway 98 and was about to inundate the City Hall. Hurlburt Field Main Gate was under water, as was Liza Jackson Park, where it’s dock and restroom buildings were swept away. Which was okay since they were in really bad repair anyways!
But the mooring lines held and they were able to tell their story to the local fish wrap reporters the next day. They said they will NEVER DO THAT AGAIN............................