USS Olympia – Are We Going to Lose This National Treasure?

On Sunday, September 19, I toured the cruiser USS Olympia with my friend, Don Taylor. We were in Philadelphia for the Russian Mosaica Festival and took the opportunity to check out this historic vessel. I had, of course, seen many pictures of ships of the “Great White Fleet”, but had never experienced actually boarding one. I must say that I was very impressed. The ship is beautiful and the areas into which we could walk were amazing. It definitely was a trip into the past. The 1890’s were a period of transition in ship building and you could see the older influences in the generous use of wood throughout the ship. However, this was packaged in the framework of an all-steel warship packing some impressive armament  for the period. I took many picures, but I doubt they come close to conveying the effect of actually being on this ship. Just to go up on the bridge and stand on the brass footprints which are labled as being where Admiral Dewey stood during the Battle of Manila Bay, and look out over the bow of this ship is an amazing experience.

The sad part of this story is the fact that the Olympia is in serious trouble. The ship has not been out of the water for decades and desperately needs maintenance below the water line.  It is estimated that it would take ten million dollars to make all the necessary repairs for her to remain afloat and the Independence Seaport Museum which owns her doesn’t have the money. There is serious talk of scrapping her or towing her out to sea and sinking her as a barrier reef.  If this happens, it will be a horrendous loss to American history and heritage. Additionally, this ship serves as an amazing example of the technology of that period, which once it is gone, it will be gone for good.

There are two other pre-dreadnaught all steel warships in existance to my knowledge: The Russian cruiser, Aurora which is anchored in Saint Petersburg and the Japanese Battleship, Mikasa which resides at Yokosuka. Both of which are newer than the Olympia. These other countries have had the presence of mind to preserve their treasures, why do Americans continue to ignore the value of such irreplaceable artifacts?

I know that the money to make the needed repairs is great, but surely there is some way to find it. Can not another entity take it over? Ten million is a drop in the bucket for the Department of Defense. Why can’t the Navy take it back and pull it into a permanent dry dock and thereby avoid the need for the repairs? We have some pretty impressive military museums in this country, why can’t this ship become one as well? The Air Force Museum in Dayton is first class. We just built a first class museum for the Marine Corps (article to follow this fall) which is an amazing place that every American should visit. I’m pretty sure that it cost more than $10 million bucks. I’m just brainstorming here.

I have heard that a decision on the Olympia’s fate may be made as early as November. I have included some links to the Olympia situation. Check them out and write your Congressmen, donate money, or make other people aware of the situation. (I didn’t know about this until a couple of weeks ago myself and I try to stay up on these things!)

http://www.phillyseaport.org/historicships/olympia.html

http://www.cruiserolympia.org

http://cruiserolympia.org/site/

http://www.spanamwar.com/olyhelp.htm

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10 responses to “USS Olympia – Are We Going to Lose This National Treasure?”

  1. mike Avatar
    mike

    Well written Jim. I have been on board this ship many times before. She is a grand lady and a beautiful one at that. Your pictures do do her justice. It has been many years since this fine lady has been out of the water…I believe it was 1947. Anyway, you know where I live is not all that far away (traffic aside…lol). I would sadden me greatly to see her slip below the waves. The USS New Jersey is just across the river. Seems someone found the money for that.

    It seems history isn’t held in such high regard in this country as some others. We live in the land of instant knowledge but seem to be getting dumber. I get some interesting queries about my gear and weapons at living history events. I’m glad people want to get out and learn but the knowledge most bring with them is seriously lacking. Whether this is the result of being PC in our school systems (God forbid we offend anyone) or it’s a lack of interest puzzles me. I hope they don’t make our Vietnam involvement look as if we were bad people.

    We tend to get a very glossed over, self centered view of WWII history. Most people don’t realize the great role Russia had in WWII or that Germany had a home guard and they weren’t all Nazis. For that matter, a lot of people think that when Italy capitulated in ’43, that was the end of that campaign and then the war switched to D-Day and Normandy. Those guys in Italy battled their ass off.

    Now getting back to the Olympia, seems the Navy would take an interest here as they have done with the USS Constitution in New England. And who is responsible for the care and upkeep of the Liberty ship SS John Brown, in Baltimore? My father served on a liberty ship during WWII as part of it’s US Naval gun crew.

    Remember what the many veterans (US, Russian, and German) tell us at our living history events: “Don’t let the history die. Keep our story alive.” Let’s keep Olympia alive as well.

    As for the Rev and Civil war historians, I didn’t forget you. Keep up the great work and great participation. Protect those battlefields and monuments!

  2. Jim Barnes Avatar
    Jim Barnes

    Thanks,Mike. We just need to keep getting the word out, as frustrating as it can be at times.

  3. Nick Korolev Avatar
    Nick Korolev

    Great article Jim. There just has to be something to do to save her. Either a historical group that has pull or the navy. I think the SS John Brown has a large historical group or several behind it plus does a fund raising cruise every year where you can actually go out on her.

    I agree the people in this country do not respect history. I am a substitute teacher and can vouch for the fact that history is dumied down. Heck, they don’t even touch on the Battle of the Atlantic in WWII. I agree with Mike’s assessment of WWII studies in schools. You can blame the “no child left behind” program (the teachers hate it)and the fact parents just do not get involved with their kids and put everything on the teachers. Kids attitude is bad too with many complaining “Why do I have to learn this” I flat out answer “So we do not make the same mistakes as other generations” That usually shuts them up or they get the deer-in-the-headlights look. Political Correctness is only a part of the problem. Sometimes I start thinking it is up to us in living history to be the preservers and teachers of history.

  4. Jim Barnes Avatar
    Jim Barnes

    My experiences are similar. Probably the only reason that my kids know as much as they do about history derives from the fact that they grew up in a reenacting family that encouraged their interest.

    It’s an ongoing battle.

  5. Bill Donegan Avatar
    Bill Donegan

    Everone who reads this blog should contact 1, Their congressman
    2 their local news agency.

    Let’s see if we can gen up some support to save her.

    Here Here!

    Bill

  6. John Avatar
    John

    Quote: “Ten million is a drop in the bucket for the Department of Defense. Why can’t the Navy take it back…”

    I can assure you that $10 million is NOT a drop in the bucket for the DoD. They do not have spare cash like that just lying around and even if they did, it could not just suddenly be allocated and obligated to restore an historic ship. They’re first priority will always be the active fleet. The Navy is struggling right now just to keep its aging aircraft fleet flying, so you tell me where they have $10 in pocket change to fix up the Olympia.

    Quote: “…seems the Navy would take an interest here as they have done with the USS Constitution in New England”

    This makes it sound as if the Navy does not care at all about the Olympia. This is hardly the case. The Navy does have an interest; the Navy Sea Systems Command, National Park Service, and the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission are holding a summit early in 2011 discuss what steps can be taken to save the cruiser, but unless the private sector steps up with most of the cash the ship will have to be scrapped.

    Quote: “And who is responsible for the care and upkeep of the Liberty ship SS John Brown, in Baltimore?”

    A private organization called Project Liberty Ship. The USN has nothing to do with the Brown’s preservation and maintenance. That is a function of the private sector.

    In the case of the Olympia, the private sector failed to adequately plan ahead and is now facing the real possibility of disposing of the ship before it sinks at her moorings. That’s not the USN’s or the DoD’s fault.

  7. Jim Barnes Avatar
    Jim Barnes

    Well John,you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I just happen to disagree with it and so do a lot of others. This country’s heritage should not have to be a bottom line issue. If the government did not have such an atrocious record of pouring money down ratholes, then you might have more of a point. As it is, we have here an extremely rare treasure that is a grand part of American history and it should be everyone’s concern, including the government, whether it is the Navy or the NPS or whoever.

  8. Kenneth J. Strafer Avatar
    Kenneth J. Strafer

    I have been participating in the 106 process with NavSea 21 (PMS333) for now coming on close to a year. I have learned a lot about “saving US warships”. There are some ships that need to be saved like the Olympia (C-6) and there are others we just have to stand back and now it did its duty. Each hull is an emotional experience to me, I have seen many and have been on many, but I know when you are given a dollar we must learn to spend it wisely.

    At the present time, December 25, 2010, I think PMS 333 would agree there are more museum ships in financial trouble than are those sailing with “financial freeboard”. And, I might add, this includes the USS Missouri in Hawaii!!
    As for the Olympia, my group has entered the fray with a vision of not just preserving a hull, rather what she stood for and what she represents. The Olympia is a prototype ship for forthcoming technology and that is what my group is showcasing and will use as the center platform for her continued life for the next generation. We have put together a team of stakeholders to let everyone know, we need their support and we need their words of encouragement. Money is hard to come by and each time we spend a dollar on the Olympia and many have as of today, we have to ask and “who shall replace those fiscal resources”? Can we count on you; do you have the courage to help save this technology leader and courageous sailor, the Olympia? Let us know.

  9. Jim Barnes Avatar
    Jim Barnes

    Kenneth, Can you give us your group’s contact information so we can pass this along?

  10. Al Sumrall Avatar
    Al Sumrall

    Support the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s USS Olympia Fund.
    http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/northeast-region/the-uss-olympia.html
    The NTHP wants to get money to be used directly for USS Olympia repairs now. The hull at the waterline is in really bad shape and time is running out. If you want to have some idea of what we will lose when we lose the Olympia see my illustrated hisotry: “Old Hoodoo” The Battleship Texas, America’s First Battleship (1895-1911). The loss of the Olympia is going to be a MAJOR, MAJOR, loss. It is the last US major warship relic of the white hulled navy era.

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