Apollo 13 Towing Bill

[drwayne]

OK, last gratuitous trip down Apollo memory lane - for tonight.<br /><br />ITEM QTY Unit Description Unit Price<br />1. 400,001 MI Towing, $4.00 first mile, $1.00 each $400,004.00<br /> additional mile, Trouble call, fast<br /> service<br /><br />2. 1 ??? Battery Charge (road call + $.05 ???) 4.05<br /> customer's jumper cables<br /><br />3. 50# # oxygen at $10.00/lb 500.00<br /><br />4. 1 sleeping accommodations for 2, no TV, prepaid<br /> air-conditioned, with radio, modified<br /> American plan, with view<br /> (contract NAS-9-1100)<br /><br />5. Additional guest in room at $8.00/night 32.00<br /> (1) Check out no later than noon Fri.<br /> 4/17/70, accommodations not guaranteed<br /> beyond that time<br /><br />6. water no charge<br /><br />7. Personalized "trip-tik", including all no charge<br /> transfers, baggage handling, and <br /> gratuities <br /> -----------<br /> sub-total $400,540.05<br /><br /> 20% commercial discount + 2% cash<br /> discount (net 30 days) (-) 88,118.81<br /> -----------<br /> total $312,421.24<br /><br /> No terms applicable (government contract)<br /><br />Rest of the story here:<br /><br />http://www.geocities.com/spaceshot2000/apollo13.htm<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[mattblack]

I've always loved this towing bill! It's pretty funny, and must have been a morale-booster at the time. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America <strong><em><u>CAN</u></em></strong> Afford it!!  LEO is a <strong><em>Prison</em></strong> -- It's time for a <em><strong>JAILBREAK</strong></em>!!</p> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

I never heard this story before, what a wonderful tale. As matt said, it must have been a great morale boost and caused more than a chuckle or two at such a desperate and uncertain time. Great presence of mind from Grumman to keep spirits up. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[najab]

You forgot the last line-item:<br /><br />8. Getting home alive: Priceless.

 

[CalliArcale]

That is hilarious. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> It's a nice reminder of the fact that aerospace people do in fact have a sense of humor. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[drwayne]

Yeah, reading the account in "Chariots for Apollo" of people being awakened in the middle of that first night, many simple being told "Get in here now!" - driving in through the ice and snow - it is inspirational.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>