1919-1920s

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In 1919, as word about Sea Scouting flowed into Chattanooga, interest piqued.  Lieutenant-Commander of Tennessee, W.E. Chandler, helped develop Sea Scouting as early as 1920.  At that time, two U.S. Navy sailors were stationed in Chattanooga, and they helped develop the program and loaned equipment.  The Council expected the navy to donate two submarine chasers, which were useless to the government and lying idle in American harbors.  Each of these submarine chasers could accommodate a crew of thirty, and had berths for twenty-four. At the very least, the government assured the Council use of a gasoline launch, which could accommodate forty boys, and the Council planed to establish a landing port somewhere near Camp Raccoon.  It is not clear whether these offers of support ever came to fruition.
 

In March 1920, three Sea Scout crews reported for duty on the ship "Neckan" under the leadership of Skipper Van Longstreet.  The Chattanooga News reported that the boys were working on their sloop class examinations which they must pass before they may take crew, as Sea Scouts must be in the schooner class before they are permitted to cruise.

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1930s

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In the '30s, Ship names included S.S.S. Merrimac, S.S.S. Rainbow No. 103 (from Ft. Oglethorpe), S.S.S. Vasco da Gama (Ship 101), S.S.S. Chattanooga, S.S.S. Chesapeake (Ship 104), and S.S.S. Santa Maria 102.  Three Chattanooga Sea Scouts (Robert Brooks, Roden Davisworth, and Jerry Sprayberry), all members of Ship 103 Rainbow, attended the 1937 National Scout Jamboree as Sea Scouts.

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1940s

In the '40s, ships included the S.S.S. Vasco da Gama (Ship 101) and the Rebel (Ship 103).

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1950s

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It appears that in the '50s the Scouts used at least two boats with names: the Rebel and the Mutiny.

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1960s

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Other boats (in the '60s) anecdotally had the names Vasco de Gama (1936 as well), Aquarius, the Humid, Blue Boat, Scorpion, and Emanon.

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1970s

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In 1972, N.G. Carter started Sea Scout Ship 5154, located at the Coast Guard Depot. Pete Serodino donated a 1949 42' cabin cruiser, "The Seromac," to Troop 108 where Carter was the Scoutmaster.  (The sponsoring church, East Lake Baptist, elected not to pay the added insurance.)  Carter formed a committee to launch a Sea Scout Ship.  Among the committee members were Forrest Cooper and Darrell Silvey.  Permission was given by the Coast Guard to build 100 foot dock at their Depot.  Using donated materials, the members built it by hand.  Thereafter, the boat and the boathouse were moved to the Depot.  Dennis Norwood was elected Chief Boatswains Mate in 1972 and was honored to be a "plank owner."

Ship 5154 procured approximately 24 canoes, a vintage Chris Craft inboard/outboard, and a dozen or so Sunfish sailboats.  The Ship was required to take USCG Power Squadron classes in navigation and other topics.  The Ship took The Seromac out on Lake Chickamauga and up and down the Tennessee River.  Among the members of the Ship were Alan Kimsey, Joe Hulsey, Nolen Carter, Arthur & Acie Poole, and Dennis Norwood.  The Leaders were Tommy Fugatt, Eddie Kirkland, Mike Hill and Lake Jones.