Sunday, June 13, 2010

"You may fire when ready, Gridley"

Famous Ship Needs Rescue

Once a formidable opponent on the high seas, defeating the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War and announcing the United States' arrival as a world power, today the USS Olympia faces an uncertain future.

Olympia, the lone surviving naval ship from the Spanish-American War, is in danger of being scrapped or turned into an artificial reef, unless funds can be raised to keep her intact and above water. As she stands today, the cruiser displays extensive damage, particularly to her hull. Historic steel-hull ships like Olympia should be dry-docked every 20 years for maintenance and repairs; Olympia has remained in the water continuously since 1945.
...

In 1921, Olympia performed her final naval mission: carrying the body of Unknown Soldier from France to the United States.