DATE: Thursday, November 20, 1997           TAG: 9711200005

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  198 lines

LETTERS TO EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

EMBATTLED SHIP

Save our money,

scrap the Wisconsin

The best place to move the battleship Wisconsin is to the scrap yard. That white elephant, along with all of the other battleships built since World War I, was a waste of the taxpayers' money.

During World War II, it became obvious early on that we should have been building aircraft carriers instead of battleships. So let's do the right thing - scrap the Wisconsin and save the taxpayers further unnecessary expense to maintain this monument to monumental errors.

Edward F. Unser

Suffolk, Nov. 11, 1997

Give your support

to Wisconsin move

The Navy once again has proved what an invaluable asset it is to the Hampton Roads community with the offer to put the battleship Wisconsin pierside at Nauticus.

I urge the citizens of Norfolk and every Navy retiree not just to write Mayor Paul Fraim but to call his office to add support to this move.

The city of Mobile, Ala., almost had to move mountains to get the battleship Alabama berthed in that city. Likewise, the battleship North Carolina in Wilmington.

What a deal for our kids and grandkids to go aboard and see this fantastic lady of the sea.

Jim Ferrell

U.S. Navy (ret.)

Portsmouth, Nov. 8, 1997

A premium condo view

Why would you purchase an expensive waterfront condominium in the world's largest naval port and complain about your view being blocked by one of the most impressive ships ever built? Go figure!

John Jeanguenat

Virginia Beach, Nov. 11, 1997

Moor the Wisconsin

at Harbor Park

Regarding the placement of the Wisconsin: I side with the condo owners, that next to Nauticus is not the best place. Consider making BB-64 (888' long, 108' beam, draft 38') an additional attraction moored at Harbor Park. Not only is exposure greater and access easier, Norfolk would gain one more attraction. Then connect Harbor Park/Wisconsin to Nauticus via monorail that could also visit MacArthur Center, hotels, office buildings, Scope/Chrysler Hall, TCC and Waterside in a loop configuration similar to Seattle's. TRT could furnish shuttle service at first.

This would help with Norfolk's woefully inadequate parking. A monorail would give riders a view of the harbor, access to jobs/school, restaurants, etc. It would give credence to the terminus of a future light rail to the beach.

If Norfolk wants a great addition to Nauticus, build a nice cover and talk Mr. Roper into mooring the Sequoia II there. This Mathis-built yacht, with its colorful history, would create more interest than any display Nauticus now possesses. I'll wager the condo owners wouldn't object to the former presidential yacht next door. Pretty heady neighbor, I'd say.

John Hall Williamson Jr.

Virginia Beach, Nov. 14, 1997

That ``field of ugliness''

defended your nation

How appropriate that you chose Veterans Day to run all of those scurrilous attacks on the proposed mooring of the Wisconsin at Norfolk's waterfront.

How disgusting it was to read such despicable remarks as ``three football fields of ugliness.'' How fortunate that this gentleman doesn't live on Boston Harbor where he would have to view the rotting bulk of that old eyesore Constitution. Or in Northern Virginia where he might have to drive by those endless acres of urban blight called Arlington National Cemetery.

Those ``three football fields of ugliness'' carried thousands of brave young men into four bloody wars, and often came home with fewer than had set out. The Wisconsin has earned its ultimate laurels in defense of its nation, including the state of Virginia and the Norfolk waterfront. It is now at peace.

Robert Stanley Need

Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force (ret.)

Norfolk, Nov. 12, 1997

The Wisconsin deserves

the best resting place

I would like to respond to those who oppose the berthing of the grand lady Wisconsin in Norfolk.

In my family alone during World War II, my father, his brother and my mother's three brothers all sacrificed to preserve our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

I followed this tradition by serving in the Vietnam conflict. Many of my friends, all of whom grew up in Norfolk and South Norfolk, gave their lives for these people.

The Wisconsin and others like it were the home, wife, sweetheart, weapon of war, port in the storm to those who served. It served us all well and deserves the best resting place.

These same people cry the blues about the ``white elephant'' next door to the proposed berth, yet the one thing that could save Nauticus is BB-64. These people cannot see past their own nose, let alone 50 yards away from their condominiums. How could the ship be an eyesore for them?

Parking? Bah, humbug! People will find a place to park to see Wisconsin. After all, they go to great lengths to get to Harborfest, and keep coming back, don't they?

Wisconsin has earned the right to its parking spot.

Owen Williams

Chesapeake, Nov. 13, 1997

Nauticus site is

its natural berth

Great front page on Nov. 14. Below the highlights of the Iraq-U.N. confrontation is ``Finding Wisconsin a home that fits.''

What better way to show the importance of having a ship like the Wisconsin located here in the city that boasts the largest naval base in the world? The artist's conception should change anyone's opinion that the ship does not belong there. That picture, if to scale, shows that the apartment/condo complainers will have something more impressive and appealing than the barren side wall of Nauticus. Just imagine the pride one would feel just looking out at that every day.

For a city that often complains about the money spent on Nauticus and on improving Waterside (Hooters), the fact is that the U.S. Navy will pay for the moving and dredging, and the ship will be in excellent condition upon delivery. How could the city and region go wrong? Just think of the tourist draw, the veterans who served onboard and the current active duty of all services who will line up to tour the Wisconsin.

I'll bet the apartment/condo values increase after the ship is moved to what should be termed its ``natural berth.''

Gerry McIntyre

Active duty CPO

Virginia Beach, Nov. 16, 1997

Be prepared to keep

it fit and trim

As a retired Navy man, I am quick to jump on the bandwagon to welcome the Wisconsin (BB-64) to a place of honor in Norfolk.

However, it should be understood that proper maintenance of this treasure is both expensive and labor intensive. In September, I visited the battleship Massachusetts on display at Battleship Cove, Mass. ``Big Mamie'' was a mess. Paint was sloshed all over and rust was rampant. Worse, the teakwood deck was buckled in many places and filled with dirt and mud with weeds growing up from huge cracks in the wood.

To say I was appalled is putting it mildly. Members of the staff that I talked to were overwhelmed by the time and effort needed to both run the ship as a museum display and maintain its exterior.

Let us be sure that we are ready to properly maintain the Wisconsin at all times while it is open to the public, or let us forgo this action altogether.

Bob Storms

U.S. Navy (ret.)

Virginia Beach, Nov. 14, 1997

Alternate site offers

a piece of Norfolk history

It is understandable that the Harbour Place Condo residents wouldn't want the Wisconsin berthed beneath their windows - further blocking their view.

An idea that might work would be to berth it further down the waterfront, past the PETA building. There is a piece of deep waterfront property available from the federal government. I am aware of this because it was first offered to homeless programs. Further down are old brick buildings owned by the Jonathan Corp., then Fort Norfolk (a well-kept secret).

Years ago there were beautiful old homes with widow's walks overlooking the water (in the old Atlantic City region). This section was torn down about 30 years ago. While we can't bring it back, we can try to enhance a naturally beautiful area, bring in tax dollars for the city and educate all visitors about local and national history.

The Wisconsin could be a place to train, employ and regroup our veterans, young and old, who have suffered from shell shock/PTSD. Even homeless veterans could have an opportunity to regain lost dignity. A small visitor's center could teach about the Wisconsin and other Navy vessels. The row of brick buildings could be a farmers' market or maybe something educational regarding the Navy.

There might even be some federal and/or HUD-homeless funding available to support the project.

E. A. Brickhouse

Executive director

The Haven Family Center

Norfolk, Nov. 12, 1997

Focus Nauticus on

history of sea power

Finally a good idea about saving Nauticus, and it comes from the U.S. Navy. The problem with Nauticus is its vague ``little-bit-of-this, little-bit-of-that'' format. Boring! Nauticus should be focused on the history of sea power. Leave the critters to the excellent Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach, and the broad overview to the world-class Mariners Museum in Newport News.

Imagine the drawing power Norfolk would have with relics from the first ironclad, the Monitor, and the battleship Wisconsin. You could have a military history walking tour of downtown Norfolk, starting with St Paul's Church and its cannonball fired from a British ship still embedded in its wall. Then on to the MacArthur Museum (and the mall for lunch). A quick shuttle trip over to Civil War-era Fort Norfolk, then on to Nauticus, which also could have a World War II-era naval fighter or two on display.

Norfolk, there is great opportunity at hand here. Don't drop the ball.

A. J. Moorman Jr.

Chesapeake, Nov. 12, 1997 ILLUSTRATION: THE WISCONSIN/file photo

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