USS OLYMPIA Needs Your Help!
The USS OLYMPIA, one of the most historic naval vessels in United States and world history, which witnessed the birth of the United States as a world power, needs your help.
The vessel is in need of major repairs. Funds and volunteers are needed to restore the vessel.
In spite of the efforts of a variety of organizations over the years, the money has never been available to properly care for the vessel. Basically, the vessel is suffering from thirty-five years of well-intentioned but unsuccessful attempts to preserve her. Recently, in an effort to save the USS OLYMPIA, she was placed under the control of the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, PA. The museum is located adjacent to the vessel at Penn's Landing.
The USS OLYMPIA has suffered in many ways over the years. The most obvious, though somewhat superficial, damage noticeable to the visitor is the rust and peeling paint on the hull and superstructure. However, there are more extensive problems that are not as obvious. The original Douglas fir wood main deck has rotted away, and has been replaced by concrete and plywood. The deck leaks, allowing rainwater to penetrate into the many museum displays in
the ship's interior on the decks below, including the Admiral's Stateroom. On the gun deck, below, tarps have been placed to direct the water away from the displays and interior woodwork and into temporary barrels.
Hazardous materials may lie hidden within the vessel's structure and, if found, must be removed. The engine room has significant amounts of rust on the equipment and is now off limits to the public. There are no functional bilge pumps, and rainwater had accumulated in levels up to thirty-six inches deep in the bilges, causing shell plating and structural deterioration before being pumped out.
On the decks above, in addition to the peeling paint, the wooden boats swinging in their davits are rapidly deteriorating. The memorial to the Unknown Soldier of World War One, who was transported across the Atlantic aboard the USS OLYMPIA, is in need of repairs. Lastly, and significantly, the gun tubes in the main turrets were removed years ago and replaced with steel pipe.
The museum is now attempting to stabilize the vessel and begin the long, hard road to restoration. Efforts are even being made to locate the original turret guns. The ship has been rewired and other work has been performed on a "as is most critical" basis. Once the vessel has been stabilized, efforts may be made to restore the vessel........
However, FUNDS ARE NEEDED DESPERATELY IF THIS IS TO OCCUR!
Please help to preserve this historic vessel as we approach the Centennial of this great conflict as a memorial to all those involved in the War - Americans, Spaniards, Cubans and Filipinos.
You can help in a variety of ways:
1. Send your tax deductible (in the US) donations: Independence Seaport Museum, 211 South Columbus Blvd. & Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3199, noting that it is to be directed to the funds for the "USS OLYMPIA".
2. Contact the museum at the same address or call 215-925-5439 and request membership information ($35 for individual memberships, $45 for family memberships). Being a member of the museum is the best way to be kept up to date on the USS OLYMPIA and the events that have and will surround it.
TELL THEM YOU HEARD ABOUT IT HERE!
