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TO URGE THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION TO PLACE THE USS OLYMPIA ON THE 2012 LIST OF AMERICA'S MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC PLACES.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned with concern that the USS Olympia, one of America's most treasured historic naval ships, is in grave jeopardy of being lost, due to the deterioration of her hull and the lack of funds to address the issue; and
Whereas, the Olympia's role in our nation's history is legendary and is representative of America's emergence as a global power. As a museum ship hosting tens of thousands of visitors over the years, the Olympia long has showcased the country's only extant major link to the Spanish American War. It is our challenge to ensure that this great national treasure is protected for future generations; and
Whereas, the placing of the Olympia on the 2012 list of America's Most Endangered Historic Places would focus a national spotlight on the historic importance of the ship and her role in our nation's history and would have a positive impact on helping to raise the much-needed funding to ensure a long-term future for this historic gem; and
Whereas, to help secure that future, the South Carolina Olympia Committee, Inc. (SCOC) supports the application submitted by the National Maritime Alliance, Naval Historical Foundation, and Historic Naval Ship Association requesting that the Olympia be placed on the National Trust's 2012 list of America's Most Endangered Historic Places; and
Whereas, in addition, the SCOC, envisioning a permanent dry berthing of the Olympia in the historic U.S. Navy dry dock on Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, is currently seeking to acquire the Olympia from the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia. Built 1891-1895, the Parris Island dry dock was part of the Navy's shoreside infrastructure to support the new "Blue Water" Navy, which evolved at the end of the nineteenth century and was designed and built specifically to support the new class of cruisers like the Olympia and the first generation of battleships deployed in this era; and
Whereas, the Olympia is the sole remaining representative of her technological era, the period immediately after steel construction was introduced. Her particular design represents an important milestone as the Navy's first cruiser fitted with vertical triple expansion engines and is the only armored cruiser to mount the main battery in armored turrets. In short, she was a pioneer in her own time as the Navy's first mature, battleworthy design of the post wooden-ship era; and
Whereas, in light of the Olympia's importance to our national heritage, it is fitting that the House of Representatives join with the South Carolina Olympia Committee, Inc., National Maritime Alliance, Naval Historical Foundation, and Historic Naval Ship Association in earnestly requesting that the USS Olympia be placed on the 2012 list of America's Most Endangered Historic Places. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, urge the National Trust for Historic Preservation to place the USS Olympia on the 2012 list of America's Most Endangered Historic Places.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
This web page was last updated on March 15, 2012 at 10:16 AM