Recovery of the Ex. A.R.A. "TOWORA"

An old longing ...

During 2009 the old desire to externally recover the helmet of the former LT A.R.A “TOWORA” was realized, for display. This unit, radiated in 1984, was dismantled and then, in 1994, it was stranded on the beach that the Argentine Navy grants to the Fuegian Association of Underwater and Nautical Activities (AFASyN) in Ushuaia. There it became a storeroom for kayaks and palamenta, removing the interior bulkheads and leveling the floor with cement.

This recovery and enhancement was agreed between the ANAU (CLCDNA Daniel Martin), the AFASyN, the Maritime Museum of Ushuaia (Director Carlos Vairo) and the Ushuaia Municipal Administration (Intendant Federico Sciurano and Subsecretary CL (RE) Guillermo Estévez).

Under the agreement, the Navy would have the personnel to work and the means of the Naval Area, the AFASyN would do the same together with the coordination with other actors, the Intendancy would park the site and the Maritime Museum would provide financial resources in addition to its expertise in advising and museological presentation.

The first phase of this process, which consisted of the fairing of the dead work of the hull and repairs of the structure to move the unit, was carried out with the personnel of the Fast Speed ​​Boat Group, in charge of the CFCD Alberto Gianola Otamendi with the sub-management TNCDNA Heraldo Da Luz and the crews of the ARA TOBA patrol and towed boats. In this way, the Towwora again acquired the masked scheme that characterized it when navigating the waters of Tierra del Fuego.

The second stage, also completed, was the complex lifting movement of the torpedo boat and the transfer to the new site where it will be exhibited. For these complex steps, CC López, then AVAS commander, joined the team and a perch and bed of the appropriate dimensions and two large private cranes were hired to support its more than 25 remaining tons.

The property chosen for its final disposal is the one located in the Mission, at the southern end of the walkway that links it with the city. The intention is to build an aeronautical theme park in said square. In this way, both ends of the passage are closed with the monument to Malvinas and this open museum, which is sought to be completed with means of naval aviation and marine infantry as well as other ships of historical value, in addition to the emblematic DC3 (CTA-15 ) Antarctic precursor, already exhibited nearby.

This naval aircraft served during the Antarctic Campaign No. 27, with a memorable mission; On January 6, 1962, the command of the then CF Hermes Quijada together with the CTA-12 license plate landed at the Geographical South Pole. The second flight in history and the first Argentine aircraft to do so.

This process continued in later years, with the descent of the ship and construction of its final bed, the landscaping and lighting of the area, the installation of a fixed sample inside the unit, visible from the mirror of the boat (which will remain glazed) and a cenotaph in homage to its history and that of the naval pioneers in Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, Malvinas and the South Atlantic Islands.

The LT A.R.A. "TOWORA" was the first combat unit, together with LT A.R.A. "ALAKUSH" (P-82 and P-84) permanently stationed in Tierra del Fuego, from 1961 to 1984, and served as predecessors of the Fast Boat Group. They were incorporated into the Navy in a purchase of 10 torpedo boats of the Higgins type (PTB), from the USA, surpluses from World War II, destined for the Pacific.

Its length was 23.94 meters, sleeve 6.10; average draft 1.30 and displacement 38 tons. The propulsion was three 1,500 HP Packard gasoline engines, each with its respective shaft and propeller lines, which allowed it to reach a maximum speed of 42 knots and a maximum range of 1,000 miles at 20 knots. The armament consisted of two 20 mm dual purpose Bofors cannons, one forward and one aft, four 12.7 mm machine guns, rockets and four torpedo tubes. Its crew was 15 men.

Former LT A.R.A. "Alakush", after being radiated from active duty, was used as a naval target and sunk in Ushuaia Bay.