History of Beresford Boatworks is topic of DeLand talk

West Volusia Beacon
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History of Beresford Boatworks is topic of DeLand talk

PHOTO COURTESY DAN FRIEND
Tugboat — DeLand-built tugboats, such as the one pictured here, will be the topic of a talk given by Dan Friend, Dec. 18.

Historian hopes to find World War II-era workers from plant

By Sarahrose Ministeri
Beacon Staff Writer

posted Nov 28, 2012 - 6:57:45am

Retired DeLand High School history teacher Dan Friend will present the wartime history of the DeLand American Machinery Corp. (AMC) tugboats, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, in the Robert Conrad Education and Research Center, 137 W. Michgan Ave. in DeLand.

The tugboats were built at Beresford Boatworks in DeLand for the U.S. Army.

Friend said some of them saw action in World War II in Europe. He will tell the story of how the small tugboats, built for harbor use, got across the Atlantic.

He hopes former AMC workers or their family members will attend the event as his honored guests. Friend's presentation will be followed by a special announcement about an AMC tugboat that inspired his research.

Seating is limited; call 386-740-6813 for reservations.

— sarahrose@beaconlinenews.com

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Dan Friend | posted Dec 4, 2012 - 7:31:48pm

I'm pleased to see these responses, and I certainly hope we can have some of the WW2 workers present as I speak about the previously unknown wartime history of the tugs. Anyone wishing to contact me prior to the event can email me at dfriend001@cfl.rr.com. I will have a powerpoint presentation and photos; including the only known actual photo of a Deland boat crossing the Atlantic! Please call The West Volusia Historical Society office and reserve a seat for the 18th...Dan F.

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Edna L.Jones | posted Dec 4, 2012 - 8:07:18am

My father, John J. Lang, worked at the Beresford Boatworks sometime between 1947 and 1950. His mother, Edna C. Lang, was a bookkeeper there. She passed in 1996, but my dad lives at Woodland Terrace Nursing Home here in DeLand.

Mom and Dad moved here from Babylon LI NY about Dec. 1946 and I was born in old DeLand Memorial Hospital on Stone St in March 1947.

Dad built tugboats there, but not exactly sure of much of it, but will ask him and get back with you.

My sister and I would love to come to the meeting, but not sure about Dad. He does not generally like to go out much at night anymore. He is 89 years old now.

Thanks, Edna L. Jones

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Hugh Strickland | posted Nov 29, 2012 - 8:58:11am

My mother, Ivey Strickland was the secretary at the boatworks during the war. She launched at least one tug. She died in 2000 and really felt that her wartime service was important.

thanks for your efforts.

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Paul Hale | posted Nov 28, 2012 - 4:46:15pm

Mr. Friend

Regarding the following:

"Historian hopes to find World War II-era workers from plant."

If you have any luck, I'd be interested in speaking with you about it and including something on my site located at:

http://1940s.org

Thanks!

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