THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 7, 1994 TAG: 9410050157
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Ida Kay's Portsmouth
SOURCE: Ida Kay Jordan
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
The opening of Trophy Park in the Naval Shipyard for Civil War Days on Saturday might be the first wedge into this historic navy yard for tourists, who have not been invited in for 25 years or more.
The Cold War behind us, there is little real reason why the public can't be allowed into certain areas of the shipyard, a place that holds real fascination for visitors.
Trophy Park is the site of many change-of-command ceremonies and other special events. It is a repository of weaponry from the Revolution through World War II.
It is on about 35 acres of the original grounds of the shipyard, which is the nation's oldest and largest yard and dates to 1767.
The park was established about 1873. Steve Milner, public affairs director for the shipyard, said the stated reason for it was ``to promote awareness of the shipyard's history and achievements.''
So it is appropriate that the public be invited into Gate 3 at the end of First Street Saturday. Pamphlets containing historical information will be distributed, Milner said.
The public also will be permitted to take pictures in the park, where cannons as old as the yard itself are displayed, Milner said. The weapons include examples from the 18th century to now.
Although many of the items are Civil War history, including cannons, there also is a broad display of 18th century pieces including a 1767 cannon and a 1798 nine-pounder gun; a number of 19th century weapons from the War of 1812 and the Spanish-American War in 1898; and from the 20th century, a one-man British submarine from World War II.
Civil War times are amply recognized in the shipyard.
For instance, a piece of armor plate from the CSS Virginia (the USS Merrimac) that was part of the first battle of the ironclads. The Merrimac was converted to an armored vessel in the shipyard in 1961-62. On March 9, 1862, it met the ironclad Monitor in Hampton Roads harbor.
Among other Civil War relics: a 450-pound round shot from 1861 and a 32-pound gun from a U.S. frigate sunk at the evacuation of Gosport (the shipyard) in 1861.
The list is endless. So is the public enthusiasm for naval history.
Many visitors to the city spot the tallest crane at river's edge and some ride the Carrie B just to get a closer look at the shipbuilding and repair naval base.
Not only the ironclad was developed there by local folks. They also built the first battleship and the first carrier.
We should be proud of it.
But, in recent times, the yard has not been very accessible, so it's been hard to show it off to tourists.
Saturday's opening of Trophy Park is ``a one-time deal right now,'' Milner said Tuesday.
``But it's important to bring the community closer to us and the Civil War Day is a natural tie-in,'' he said. ``It's a good way to open the yard to the public.''
The public can enjoy Trophy Park without getting into parts of the shipyard that are understandably off limits.
Actually, it would seem to be in the best interest of the future of the first navy yard to have as many people as possible become familiar with its accomplishments.
People with an interest in naval history, as well as those who served in the U.S. Navy and those interested in ships, probably would be disturbed if the federal government decided to close the first and oldest shipyard.
Support from the public in other cities could indeed make a difference to the future of the yard. And, aside from our local obsession with the jobs and the economy, it is important to the national naval history to keep this shipyard open.
Opening the yard to visitors is good not only for Portsmouth tourism but also for the future of the base itself. ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
Trophy Park at the Naval Shipyard will be open from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. Saturday in conjunction with Portsmouth's annual Civil War
Day.
Activities downtown are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a
dozen re-enactment groups stationed in Olde Towne. Period crafters,
excerpts from ``Let My People Go,'' and a re-enactment of an
anti-slavery convention also will be part of the day's activities.
Trolley tours to the Naval Hospital will include a stop at the
original hospital building for a visit to the Civil War dungeon and
another at the cemetery on the hospital grounds.
For information, call PortsEvents at 393-9933.
by CNB