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Time Line - 1971: U.S. Navy Refueling Boom... |
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| Made Of Flexible Components
(69k) |
Lightweight Beam
(68k) |
The Neighborhood Piles On
(77k) |
Close Up Of Fittings
(39k) |
The U.S. Navy purchased these Captive Columns for use in
refueling ships under way at sea. The Navy claimed that it needed an 80-foot corrosion
resistant beam that was also light enough to be extended from the side of a ship without
causing problems. Mr. Bosch solved their dilemma by building a Captive Column made
entirely of fiberglass. Made in two 40-foot sections (pictured above), each piece weighed
200 pounds and had a cross section of 16 inches. The beams were made in the inventor's San
Jose California backyard, while the steel fittings used to join the sections were
subcontracted to a crane company.
These beams were ordered from Mr. Bosch on a simple purchase order (U.S. Navy Purchase
Order Number N00217-71-M-0567, dated January 14, 1971). The Navy took delivery of the
structures and loaded them beyond the design specifications
until the fittings failed. Navy officials then claimed the test was a failure and tried to
return the beams to Mr. Bosch without payment. Mr. Bosch told them that if they tried to
drop them off he would call the police, so they relented.
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