Put USS Maine's capstan in Hampton Park

Carolina Day was a wonderful event for Charleston this year, and the new statute of Revolutionary War hero Gen. William Moultrie is a perfect addition to White Point Garden. But with all of the ado about the new addition to the garden, a notable deletion — and notable opportunity — has gone unnoticed.

The location for the statute of Gen. Moultrie had been for many decades the location of another monument — the capstan of the USS. Maine, which was sunk in Havana Harbor in 1898, giving justification for the Spanish-American War. The ship sat at the bottom of the harbor for decades but was finally retrieved and various parts, ranging from a light bulb to the mainmast, were distributed to communities around the country. One gun was put on display at the South Carolina Statehouse and the capstan (a sort of winch) was given to Charleston.

The capstan, however, was not sent directly to White Point Garden when it arrived. Instead, it was installed at the western end of Hampton Park after it was given in May 1913. It was later moved to the Charleston Naval Base and then finally installed at White Point Garden 80 years ago this week on July 15, 1927. What accounts for the change of location? According to this newspaper's coverage of the White Point Garden installation ceremony, one speaker expressed his pride in having removed the capstan from "such an obscure place" as Hampton Park.

Now that the capstan has been ousted from its spot at White Point Garden to make way for the statute of Gen. Moultrie, the city should seize this opportunity to right an 80-year-old wrong.

In White Point Garden, the capstan was quickly lost in a large array of random, unconnected monuments and memorials. Moreover, while the neighborhoods around Hampton Park might have been thought obscure, today that description cannot be defended, and the capstan should be returned to its proper place.

Wagener Terrace, Hampton Park Terrace, and North Central are vibrant neighborhoods, and Hampton Park has experienced a rebirth. The city has greatly expanded the landscaping of the park, more and more people enjoy its jogging trails, and several concerts and special events are held there each year. The capstan could become a focal point.

I hope all of those people who enjoy the park today will join me in calling for the return of this special monument to its true home where it will enjoy the attention it deserves.

Kevin R. Eberle

President

Hampton Park Terrace

Neighborhood Association

367 President St.