U.S.S. Olympia

[Alan Welch]

This is probably not news to anyone, but I am planning on going to Philadelphia next summer and mentioned to a friend there that I wanted to visit the Olympia while I was in town. He mentioned she was in peril and in checking on the situation it seems true. Sad, but true. This article explains it better than I can, so here is the link:

USS Olympia, one-of-a-kind steel cruiser, battles for survival - CSMonitor.com

and I still plan to visit and make a donation and thought perhaps we, as a maritime community, might mobilize to help.

Its a sad commentary on the state of the soul of our nation that this situation could come to pass and I urge anyone who can do anything to help, please do so.

[D.D.]

Saame destiny for SS United States....When you're in Philly, drop by and take a look at that...A crying shame.....Perhaps the "casino" venue can save her.

[delmarrey]

Ya can't save'm all. It sounds as if she's too far gone already.

I'd say take lots of pictures, gather her documents and put them in a maritime museum and strip her, selling off as may souvenirs as possible.

Then scrap her out after the big decommissioning party. As well, send a note off to the Filipino communities letting them know of one of the ships that help set them free from Spain.

[Bash]

Interesting that she's not only the oldest steel warship still afloat, but that she's been in the water continuously since 1945. And we all know the penalty of waiting too long between haulouts.

I visited the Olympia as a kid. They'd painted footprints where Admiral Dewey stood when he gave the order, "You may fire when ready, Gridley." I asked my dad how they knew those were the exact footprints, and was greatly disappointed when he answered that the position was probably just a close approximation.

I've always wanted to give that command myself, but Wonderblond hates it when I call her "Gridley."