[Sunroof]

It is a shame Vin. I love these old ships and you wonder why its so damn expensive to keep them up. If you recall the HMS Bounty built for the movie starring Clark Gable, it was an exact replica of the original Bounty. It was moored for years in Venoy Basin in St. Petersburg for touring. It went with Ted Turner when took over MGM. It was really a very modern vessel in the lower deck with a diesel and air conditioned crew quarters. He kept it in Savannah and it ran over 100K to keep it up annually. He ended up selling it, where I believe it is presently used for daily sailing excursions in St. Petersburg, Florida. That was years ago! It was the last ship of its kind ever built, even as a replica.

If you ever visit Charleston, SC you can see the USS Yorktown (WWII) aircraft carrier on display along with several other WWII vintage vessels. When they brought the Yorktown to Ptriots Point for permanent display, they filled the entire bildge with cement! It will NEVER leave that spot! Patriots Point where the Yorktown lies is well organized and funded.

Its a small fortune to keep these ships in decent condition and up to safety standards for the visiting public. Many rely on volunteers for the job.

Sadly the Olympia will meet a watery grave as a victim of this economy if a benefactor does not step forward to save her. I am sure the liner United States will follow the same fate as she will take millions to restore. These ships are a part of our maritime heritage and should be preserved and open for all to see.

If you love old vessels visit Mystic Seaport, Connecticut. Fortunately, they will be around for awhile.

Thanks for the article

Bob