USS Olympia in peril!

[jmoore]

Quick note:

Discovered that the world oldest steel warship may not be much longer for this world. Called the museum and they confirmed that they may not be able to continue past Sept. 2010.

Figured it won't hurt to get the word out- I'll throw some funds their way, and try to visit this summer.

Link to the preservation society trying to save her below:


http://www.fotco.org/

Beautiful and historic ship, hate to lose her!

Link to some pics (not all Olympia but it's a good header photo):

USA 8"/35 (20.3 cm) Marks 3 and 4 and 8"/40 (20.3 cm) Mark 5 Pictures

Information

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[Pattern14]

jmoore,
I've been on that ship several times and have noticed each time more rust and deterioration can be seen. It would be a shame to sink her off New Jersey. She really is a national treasure.

[jmoore]

Quite so! I really don't expect any Govn't bailout here, so it's up to us.

[Pattern14]

Jmoore,
There are two historic ships moored at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia: the cruiser Olympia and the submarine Becuna. And directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia in Camden NJ is the battleship New Jersey.
The Olympia was Commodore (later Admiral) Dewey's ship and she participated in defeating the Spanish fleet at the battle of Manila Bay and went on to serve in WWI until decommissioned in 1922; the Becuna served during WWII and sunk several Japanese merchant ships and during the 50's and 60's was refitted to track Soviet submarines; and the New Jersey with 19 battle stars was all over the Pacific campaign, Vietnam, and Lebanon before being decommissioned in 1991.

[Wulf]

I have seen her many many times while driving over the Walt Whitman, but have never been aboard. It would be a shame to lose her. I think they should use some of that stimulus money and hire people to restore her. That would be a lot better than putting that snow making machine in Minnesota.

[jon_norstog]

Wulf,

Great idea! That would be a great stimulus project. All local hires, all blue collar, mostly skilled. With any luck the job would last 3 years and the workers would spend it all locally.

And it would save a national treasure for another generation.

jn

[Wulf]

That is the problem......it makes good sense. It seems that good ideas are ignored in Mordor on the Potomac.

[jmoore]

Made the trek and toured the ship July 29. Pictures to follow.

Left a donation.

Words fail me...


ETA: A friend's photos from the trip: Click on the Photobucket link to see more.




The major drama is that she hasn't been in dry dock for 60 years! The hull is about eaten through in places.

You'll need a photobucket account to view the whole thing, I don't know why, but I've never tried this trick before, sorry!

http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b226/dave4201/Biff%20stuff/boat%20trip/

[jamie5070]

I didn't know that the ship existed untill I read one of the treads a couple months back. When I sent them a donation I sugested that they take out notices/adds in magazines
in an effort to get the word out. I also asked about tee-shirts and bumper stickers. If no one knows we will loose her for sure.
john

[jmoore]

Picture taken from about where Adm. Dewey stood (relative to the ship, not the planet) as he ordered the engagement w/ the Spanish fleet. No armor plate protection here!