Help is on way for fabled ship
State board agrees to provide $9.2M loan to help make repairs on Laffey
By Allyson Bird
Emerging from the rusted hull of the warship Laffey, state Treasurer Converse Chellis took out his cell phone to call for funding right from the destroyer's deck.
Video
Destroyer Laffey
After touring the destroyer Laffey at Patriots Point, State Treasurer Converse Chellis called other members of the Budget and Control Board asking for their support in providing a $9.2 million loan. Patriots Point officials hope to move the ship to dry dock for repairs by an August high tide.
Speaking with another member of the state Budget and Control Board, Chellis said: "I have been down to the very bottom of the Laffey, and it's like sponge down there. They really need some help."
A few conversations later, a majority of the five-member board had agreed by phone to a $9.2 million loan to the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum for repairs to the ship. In those brief moments Thursday morning, the famed World War II ship's fate changed from uncertain at best to an almost assured rehabilitation.
But the funding comes with one caveat: Patriots Point must repay the loan within 18 months.
The attraction's officials hope that $20 million in federal funding requested by U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C., will come through next year. They promised to use that money toward the debt.
Chellis said the $9.2 million becomes available as soon as the Budget and Control Board formally approves the loan. Because the board does not meet again until June 29 and Patriots Point officials hope to move the ship to dry dock by an August high tide, Chellis said he would try to get the go-ahead in a phone vote even sooner.
Patriots Point interim executive director Dick Trammell said the destroyer otherwise might not move until September, "right in the heart of storm season."
Laffey veterans joined Chellis on a tour of the ship, some traveling hundreds of miles to be there. The ship's association each year holds several work parties to paint and make repairs, though their efforts above the waterline never uncovered the dire situation below.
Previous story
Legislative panel backs $9.2 milion loan to save ship, published 06/05/09
Sonny Walker, president of the Laffey Association, came down from Maryland not knowing what to expect. He rallied a group of veterans who, standing on the pier, rehashed discussions over the past few months about whether to turn the ship into an artificial reef or repair it.
Patriots Point officials recently learned that sinking the Laffey would cost about $488,000 less than restoration, a small difference on a $9 million price tag. The attraction's board then resolved to seek help from state leaders and found an audience at the treasurer's office.
Addressing Chellis, Walker said Thursday, "You don't know how happy we are today."
The Post and Courier
South Carolina Treasurer Converse Chellis tours the destroyer Laffey at Patriots Point on Thursday. With help from a state loan, Patriots Point officials hope to move the warship to a dry dock in August.
The treasurer, a former Air Force captain, took time to chat with Lee Hunt, a James Island resident who served in the Battle of Okinawa that earned Laffey the reputation as "The Ship that Would Not Die." Hunt said his watch station caught fire during the onslaught of Japanese kamikaze planes that killed 32 men and wounded another 71, out of a crew of 336.
Walking along the ship's deck Thursday, Rep. James Smith, D-Columbia, said, "This is where my grandfather stood."
Smith's grandfather shot down a kamikaze so close to striking the ship that debris injured some of his fellow sailors. The younger Smith took an active role in generating support for Patriots Point and held a flashlight for Chellis as he felt chunks of the ship crumble in his hands.
Back on land, Laffey veterans and Patriots Point officials alike cheered as Chellis shared the good news that he had gotten the necessary support.
"This is a monument," Chellis said. "It is a monument to a generation that defended liberty. It is a monument to those brave men who fought for freedom. And it is a monument to those who gave the last true measure of devotion. We must save this ship."
Sen. Chip Campsen and Rep. Chip Limehouse, both Charleston Republicans, also toured the ship Thursday before Chellis arrived. That afternoon Limehouse said he supports the repairs but that Patriots Point should focus now on federal funding for the future.
"A state intergovernmental loan to stabilize the Laffey is probably a good point to stop, catch our breath and figure out what we're going to do," Limehouse said. "The reason the Navy gave us all those ships is because they are prohibitively expensive to own and keep."
Patriots Point outlined in March a $64 million master plan to repair its entire fleet of warships and revitalize the attraction. Its board soon will award a contract to formally develop a master plan, though the military museum still lacks a financial strategy to implement that plan.
Reach Allyson Bird at 937-5594 or abird@postandcourier.com.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Is this our states way to prioritize spending state funds? They are willing to allow our schools to close, our police to be laid off and our state infrastructure to collapse while spending money to save a ship that was allowed to rot with the full knowledge of those who spent the money raised from admittance fees on other things rather than maintaining the ship.
This just shows how morally bankrupt our pandering politicians have become. Patriotism is not saving a rusting hulk when the money could be used to ease the suffering of the people of our state. It is a betrayal of the public trust of the highest order!
These bums need to be thrown out on their ears.
June 12, 2009 at 6:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
So true, reala.
June 12, 2009 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
I'm stunned. I appreciate and value history, but it is the awareness and understanding of history, not possession of the objects involved with it, that matters.
We're cutting education this year. The stimulus money didn't come close to replacing what had to be cut. Among the things we teach in school are History and the reading necessary to understand most of it. Obviously classes are going to be larger.
We don't even have the money to run the field trips to take school children to see Patriot's Point.
This is a hopeless confusion of priorities. No one has any idea how Patriot's Point will ever pay this money back. A year from now, we'll be cutting public works expendatures elsewhere. If Patriot's Point can pay it back, they'll have to cut staff and maintenance elsewhere or sell what remains of the property off to developers.
Across the state other historic sites and museums are closing, shortening hours and going without maintenance. Many of these had far more visitors than the Laffey, which currently has none.
We have a government and legislature to weigh this state's priorities. Obviously, they do a less than perfect job, but at least they participate in a public system that is accountable by election.
This is good ole boys making decisions on their cell phones with their friends outside the public process for the benefit of their friends. It is an intolerable slap in the face to every citizen when the resources of our state are handled in this way.
June 12, 2009 at 7:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
wjhamilton3, let me be sure I understand your position. We ought to close things like the Smithsonian and the National Archives. All they do is house "objects". Why waste tax payer money on objects like the flag that flew over Fort McHenry or preserving the original Constitution. Did I state your position correctly?
June 12, 2009 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
"A few conversations later, a majority of the five-member board had agreed by phone to a $9.2 million loan to the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum for repairs to the ship."
I haven't checked, but unless the budget and control board is excepted from the Freedom of Information act, this is a clear violation of the public notice and public meeting requirements of said act. You cannot use a series of communications to make a decision. A public body must give 24 hours written notice.
June 12, 2009 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
We have to select the objects we choose to preserve in relation to their value and cost. That decision should be made by a public body, after public hearing with a public vote under the Freedom of Information Act.
We can't preserve everything. It costs too much. Other historic buildings, artifacts and museums will be neglected which served far more visitors.
This decision will make preserving Patriot's Point's main draw, the Yorktown, much harder.
June 12, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
cnsyd, that is not waht wjh said, I'm pretty sure you know that. You're also attempting to compare apples to oranges to make a completely different point in favor of another argument. Are you a gob.
June 12, 2009 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
CNSYD, The Smithsonian and National Archives are not floating and in a permanent state of decay.
The board has no intention of paying this money back or they would have been saving money for the day when repairs were necessary. Now all of sudden we are supposed to believe they are going to come up with the money plus interest?
WJH is right this is a violation of state sunshine laws and should be investigated. Why they would send the treasurer to asses the need for repairs to a ship just shows this was a staged event to justify an illegal loan process.
Any repairs will be a stopgap measure and will put us back in the same position long before any loan is repaid. A steel ship in saltwater will rust. The neglect over the years has accelerated this process to the point where any permanent repairs are impossible. The ship is a total loss because of the deferred maintenance and neglect by those who were entrusted with its care. To trust these same people further with state funds is pure folly and a waste of our resources.
June 12, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
realamerican, I used the McHenry flag and the centuries old documents in the Archive by intent as they are objects which decay. If you had read articles in National Geographic and The Smithsonian you would see the efforts that are continuously being made to preserve them. My main point is you have your ideas on what is important and they conflict with what others think. How is the Intrepid being preserved? Who paid? How about the Alabama or the North Carolina or the Mighty Mo? Seems to work elsewhere.
June 12, 2009 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
theronce, I am shocked that you would accuse me of using a counter argument to attempt to show the fallacy of someone else's opinion. I KNOW you have NEVER done that in a single post you have ever made.
June 12, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
CNYSD, What you are doing is trying to equate patriotism with the willingness to repair this rusting ship. Those who should be blamed for the current state of the ship are the very people now asking for funds.
Unless a permanent and self sustaining solution can be found these same politicians and board members will once again be back for more money under the guise of patriotism. To bad these same people weren't as patriotic when the ship could still be saved. The patriots were the men who served on the ship, not rusting steel.
Just as our flags are given a fit end when the can no longer be used so should this ship. It should be given a dignified end, not a torturous slow rotting in the mud.
June 12, 2009 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mlittle212 (anonymous) says...
Let it sink into the pluff mud. I wouldn't spend a dime on it.
June 12, 2009 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
follydude (anonymous) says...
maybe the state could find a patriotic, liberty-loving benefactor with a sense of nostalgia to donate the money or to persuade the shipyard to do it for free...
June 12, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
follydude, you have made a good point. Didn't the state of SC practically give the shipyard and its drydocks to Deytens? Sounds like payback time.
June 12, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Let it become a reef. This is a waste of tax dollars in these tough times. Even in good times, not alot was apparently done to maintain it. Shame on Patriots Point for letting these vessels rot. They should become reefs or like someone on here mentioned several weeks ago to put an earthen dam around the Yorktown and put it on terra firma. If not, let it go become a reef. Shame on all involved.
Follydud, when you guys want renourishment of your sand for your beaches and po-dunk little ville, go suck an egg.
June 12, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
Its no wonder our economy is in the shape it is today. I guess the state will own that junk yard when the loan isn't paid back.
June 12, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
Ur Gatorbait, good idea. Look at this list of ships we could sink and build our own barrier reef?
Partial list of Ships Donated as a Museum and Memorial
Class Hull Name
AGSS 212 AGSS 228 DRUM
AGSS 212 AGSS 236 SILVERSIDES
AGSS 212 AGSS 244 CAVALLA
AGSS 212 AGSS 245 COBIA
AGSS 285 AGSS 310 BATFISH
AGSS 383 AGSS 383 PAMPANITO
AGSS 555 AGSS 555 DOLPHIN
AGSS 569 AGSS 569 ALBACORE
AVT 16 AVT 16 LEXINGTON
BB 34 BB 35 TEXAS
BB 55 BB 55 NORTH CAROLINA
BB 57 BB 59 MASSACHUSETTS
BB 57 BB 60 ALABAMA
BB 61 BB 62 NEW JERSEY
BB 61 BB 63 MISSOURI
CA 134 CA 139 SALEM
CG 4 CG 4 LITTLE ROCK
CV 41 CV 41 MIDWAY
CVS 10 CVS 10 YORKTOWN
CVS 11 CVS 11 INTREPID
CVS 10 CVS 12 HORNET
DD 448 DD 537 THE SULLIVANS
DD 448 DD 661 KIDD
DD 692 DD 724 LAFFEY
DD 448 DD 793 CASSIN YOUNG
DD 710 DD 850 JOSEPH P. KENNEDY JR.
DD 945 DD 951 TURNER JOY
DE 129 DE 238 STEWART
IX 20 IX 20 CONSTELLATION
IX 40 IX 40 OLYMPIA
SS 342 SS 319 BECUNA
SS 343 SS 343 CLAMAGORE
SS 580 SS 581 BLUEBACK
SSG 577 SSG 577 GROWLER
June 12, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I once enjoyed going to Garfinkle's when I needed a piece of metal for a particular project. It was like a museum to me looking at all the old machinery. Every thing there was for sale and he knew the value of it. I often told him how much I enjoyed just looking around. I guess if he could have made any money off people just looking he would have done so. I think he knew there was no money in it.
I bet Mr. Garfinkle could show patriots point how to make a profit.
June 12, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
commonsence (anonymous) says...
this was nothing more than a PR stunt...I guess that's why some public schools are in a state of decay - no politician takes the time to actually step foot in one with cell phone in hand.
June 12, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
eatmorecollards. what a cogent opinion for someone in a city that panders to the "looking around" crowd. NOT!
June 12, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
CNSYD, When the cost to pander becomes greater than the rewards reaped, its time to rethink the proposition.
June 12, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
eatmorecollards, what is your opinion on say Ft. Sumter? What is their income vs expenses (I am not talking about the boat ride company)? If you found out that on your basis they operate at a net loss what would you recommend? Would local loding, restaurants, etc. agree with your conclusion?
June 12, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
Posted by CNSYD on June 12, 2009 at 11:05 a.m.
Would local loding, restaurants, etc. agree with your conclusion?
_____________________________________________________
Now that's the kind of argument that I can understand. Why don't Patriots Point show the impact they have on these industries, in real dollar amounts?
CNSYD, Patriots Point needs you on their funding committee.
June 12, 2009 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
Mind if I gag at some of the 'staged' and 'humbling' statements in this article? Are these guys preparing to run for higher offices?
Glory be, my father who was 'overseas' for three years when I was quite young, would never support something like this when he knew there were illiterate children trying to learn in unsafe environments while lacking teachers and riding ill-repaired school busses. My father was a patriot, did his duty, was honorably discharged and believed in his country all his life. Although he lived just a few miles away, when it came to where he would be buried he said that Arlington National Cemetery was filling up and chose to be cremated and laid to rest in a local cemetery.
And wjham, I often agree with your opinions. I'd surely like you to more particularly reference the state law that prevents the type of actions discussed in this article.
June 12, 2009 at 11:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
Actually, a last look at comments tells me that many of you are 'wise' to these types of 'historical shennanigans' :)
June 12, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollnwflo (anonymous) says...
My father served on the USS Enterprise during WWII, so I have a connection to those ships and the brave men who served in that time of great personal danger for our country. Having said that, I have to agree with the posters who desire the attraction pay its own way. I believe what they need is a good campaign or marketing plan to make people in this country more aware of their attraction, a Cliff's note version of the USS Laffey's history should do the trick. One more thing, when's the last time you took your family to visit these old ships, they're not just for tourists, I think my kids need to go this summer.
June 12, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
Even if we spent all this money on education it would not change one thing in the schools until there is a change in parental involvment and parental attitude towards teachers(i.e. your picking on my child, my child wouldn't do that)--So until that time let us create or save jobs with this project. God Bless the sacrifice of our fathers and those who benefit from those sacrifices daily without having ever served or endangered themselves in defense of the constitution.
June 12, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
The question is, does the Laffey generate enough additional revenue and charitable donations at Patriot's Point to support the annual maintenance costs of over a million dollars? If tourists are coming to see the Yorktown and that is the draw, the income should go to preserve that larger vessel, which also has major needs. People go to Patriots Point, but most only go to see the Yorktown. The Laffey could be Apollo 11 or the Spirit of St. Louis, but if people don't walk over to see it, it isn't really doing history much good.
It would be possible to lift one of the gun turrets off the Laffey and install it on the ground at Patriot's Point somewhere, surrounded by appropriate markers and interpretation stations. That might be equally effective at a fraction of the cost.
June 12, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
How many people served upon the Laffey?
To honor those people the rest of us should foot the bill? Also, I cannot make ANY numbers work that Patriots will be able to repay the funds in a timely manner.
Fort Sumter is a federal park and they contract SpiritLine to run the tours. They are self-substaining. Comparing apple and oranges.
June 12, 2009 at 12:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollnwflo (anonymous) says...
I've seen the Patriot's Point flyers many times while traveling across the land. That's what I mean about a new approach, tape some video, let some kids lose with a webcam during a field day trip, I'm sure the pros in this profession could come up with something more effective than a small brochure. It is the video age after all. I know that the put a gun turrent on the shore with plaque is an attractive solution to this issue, but consider this, go stand on the deck of the Laffey, close your eyes and imagine Japanese bombers raining down on you and your shipmates. Not quite the same is it?
June 12, 2009 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BigDukeSix (anonymous) says...
I say we go to the top, and get the President involved. Obama would no doubt look with great pride back on his days in the military, and recall the sacrifices he made as he-- wait. Sorry. But we could go to Dubya, and get him fired up as he recalled his days in combat, and-- damn. Sorry. Okay, we go to Clinton, and appeal to his sense of--Man. This ain't gonna be easy.
June 12, 2009 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
Luna, how many people are buried in the National Cemetary in Beaufort? Why should the whole population of the US have to foot the bill for maintenance of it? Also I assume the salaries and benefits of all the National Park Guides at Ft. Sumter (and Ft. Moultrie) are not paid by the taxpayers, that right?
June 12, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
BigDukeSix, now wait a minute W was in the air National Guard in Texas. Texas was never invaded by any foreign army during that time so he did a fine job.
June 12, 2009 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
CNYSD
Imagine the business opportunities from having our own reef? One can dream right?
As far as education, any money spent on it (wisely, ya I know CCSD, *ducks*) is better than sinking it into a failed project.
June 12, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
But Fort Sumter makes money and is self-sustaining CNSYD.
Big difference.
Patriots Point will continue to draw down funds. It will never be able to support itself as it is now.
I wonder how many people that scream about some welfare mom with 4 kids thinks it is OK to toss money (repeatedly) into the Cooper River?
June 12, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollnwflo (anonymous) says...
BigDukeSix, I swear you almost killed me with that one, d@#$ you're funny.
June 12, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
"go stand on the deck of the Laffey, close your eyes and imagine Japanese bombers raining down on you and your shipmates. Not quite the same is it?"
The problem is, I can and have done that with civil war history and $750 dollars worth of reenactor equipment in a school playground. It takes people to make history work.
In this case, Patriot's Point can't pay staff to work with the public and pay for this ship at the same time. It sure can't pay to maintain the Yorktown and the Laffey, plus the Sub and Coast Guard Cutter while still having anyone left to help the public experience anything.
We'll end up with security guards and a self guided pamplet tour, plus anything anyone things might get money out of the tourists pocket. People will wander through the ships, experiencing very little.
If the experience of going to Patriot's Point was rewarding enough for visitors, the number of visitors wouldn't keep falling.
A quick check of the trip advisor website reviews for Patriot's Point shows that most visitors don't see the Laffey. Patriot's Point is only the third most popular attraction in Charleston on that website at the moment. I checked several reviews and none mentioned the Laffey by name or referenced it's history. The submarine appears to be the second most popular vessel there. Some people mentioned seeing the destoryer, but their recommendation was to spend more time on the Yorktown.
It was very clear from the reviews that interacting with veterans who served on a ship like the one being visited was a highlight for those who had such an experience. Hiring a handful of veterans to serve as interpreters and guides would be a far better use of money to enhance the visitor's experience. The volunteers doing this work at Patriot's Point now are to be commended.
Read the trip advisor reviews and see what you think
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRe...
June 12, 2009 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollnwflo (anonymous) says...
I read the reviews and it leads me back to the marketing issue. I think we need to get more video of the men that were onboard during WWII and have video displays throughout the ship (actually all of the vessels)displaying their stories. Just so no one is confused in regard to my position, you can have anythng you want, as long as you can pay for it. Tell that Fort Sumter tour boat to hang a right.
June 12, 2009 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollnwflo (anonymous) says...
I was thinking back to my days in the Navy, the feeling of riding a submarine (I would imagine a ship would be the same)it is almost like being on a horse, a living thing. Of course its not, but its hard to shake that feeling of pride and ownership, this is MY ship. Some will understand that and some will not. Some will cry out that the money would be better spent elsewhere, and that's always a devil's choice. What to spend your last nickel on. The question is, is this our last nickel, have we lost faith in ourselves?
June 12, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
Luna, you pick and choose. Does the deal with the boat line cover all the salaries and benefits of the US government employees at Ft. Sumter. Yes or no? It doesn't take a boat to get to Ft. Moultrie. Who pays those salaries and benefits? You also avoided the National Cemetary in Beaufort. Who pays there?
June 12, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
st (anonymous) says...
What a waste of money
June 12, 2009 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCBorn1 (anonymous) says...
So we cut the school budgets, then schools will stop teaching about certain history (like this ship) lessons because its not going to be that important to them, and we dont have money now to send our kids on a field trip to visit something thats in our "backyard" (like this ship), but yet we throw all this money at it for who to visit and learn about it (the people that lived back in that era and served on the ship)...great!
June 12, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollnwflo (anonymous) says...
On any issue involving government funding, the school crowd gets out, why do we spend xxx amount of dollars on xxxxxxxxxx when the schools aren't fully funded? Call your state legislature and tell them repeatedly to change the way schools are funded in this state. Complaining on here won't do you any good.
June 12, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
scborn---when was the school budget cut----all i have seen is it going up---cutting requested funding is not a cut---and currently Sc funds its schools at the mid range of private schools and does not get private school results so more funding is not the answer---we have been throwing more and more money at the schools for the past thirty years and nothing has improved---so money is not the answer
June 12, 2009 at 4:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
Numba10, the problem is not all lack of funding. Take the 5 best public school districts and compare them to the worst 5. Then compare the demographics of those 10 districts. I believe you will discern a definite pattern.
June 12, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dnh (anonymous) says...
Why doesn't the federal government pay for this?
June 12, 2009 at 8:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
dnh, it is my understanding that the Feds make ships available to entities such as Patriot's Point. I posted a list earlier of all the US Navy ships currently a museum or memorial. Probably the Constitution and the Missouri are the only ones fully funded by the Feds. Interesting story on the Missouri. Japs like to visit Pearl Harbor and go to the Arizona Memorial as it was (to them) the site of their "great victory". We decided to park the Missouri there to remind them of where they surrendered. Think about you guys who drive Jap cars.
June 12, 2009 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PoliGadfly (anonymous) says...
The govt. knows the ships are too expensive to maintain. That's why they are either scrapped or allowed to go to whatever smart local govt. entity that thinks they will gain political points from their locals by obtaining these endless money pits. I don't disapprove of preservation but the fact is the money isn't there. I'd rather stop the overseas payments for whatever the next noble cause may be and preserve our own history, but we can't do both apparently.
June 12, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Upper King on rise: Hotels, apartments, restaurants changing face of downtown area
- Missing woman case gets murkier
- Missing woman's fiance found dead in his home
- Isle of Palms wants to patch beach
- Sullivan's man seeks all school records
- Local homeowners seek foreclosure relief
- Veterans Job Fair set for Feb. 22 in North Charleston
- Boeing powering up first local jet
- S.C. to get nearly $34 million in mortgage deal
- Advocating for cyclists
