Shipbucket

I had no idea of the existance of Olympia until a couple of months ago. I was shocked to find that such a treasure from 19th century was still floating and even more shocked that people are considering throwing it away. In country where there are so many museum ships from the second world war and where naval tradition is so strong, it doesn't look good for the future of the economy.

In Portsmouth, UK we have HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose. Great Naval museum but really missing a battleship or an aircraft carrier. Maybe we can get Virrat back one day, but I'm not holding my breath!

Don't forget there is the Russian protected cruiser 'Aurora' thats still on display in St. Petersburg.

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And she's well worth a visit. And while you're there you should check out their naval museum as well. Supposedly it's the oldest in the world.

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“Close” only counts with horseshoes, hand grenades, and tactical nuclear weapons.
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error

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Source Materiel is always welcome.

So close! Tried to pay a visit to Battleship cove in Fall River, MA. A 2 hr traffic jam put paid to that. I got there as the museum was just closing.

Tantalisingly close

Touring a So Dak is a treat; even after 70 years, the smell of oil, diesel, ozone and sweat still lingers...
I feel that I am one of the luckiest people alive to have one parked just across the mudpuddle here.

I love the battleship mass. When I was younger my boy scout troop spent a couple of nights and slept over on her. Top bunk is murder, though.

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Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. - Albert Einstein
The only stupid questions are the ones that go unasked.
Korean AU

I saw a sign at the museum advertising sleep overs, if the bunks on USS Intrepid are anything to go by, I wouldn't think you'd get much sleep. Stacks of four bunks with less than 2 feet of space It was even more clostrophobic on USS Growler... must have been like living in a sardine can!

Finally managed to see USS Massachussets, including USS Joseph P Kennedy, USS Lionfish, USS Hiddensee and a couple of PTB's

Bridge on JPK

Aft 5" gun on JPK

On the deck of Lionfish

The crest

USS Hiddensee

Me on the foredeck of USS Massachussets

Weird drawing on No.2 16" turret.

Inside No.3 16" turret

Inside 5" gun turret



The last remnants of USS Fall River


A great day and well worth the trip
16" armoured conning tower behind the bridge.

Shrapnel damage from Jean Bart action in 1942

It was brutal, plus I had to sleep on the top bunk. But, at the time I was eleven, so I really didn't care. My father on the other hand, complained about it the whole time!

_________________
Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. - Albert Einstein
The only stupid questions are the ones that go unasked.
Korean AU

While I'm not positive of the condition of Massachusetts, I can say that The Alabama is an interesting venture, along with the Drum. The mighty A was made into a museum in 1960 along with Drum, meaning that a lot of the original systems were still in place and were not removed like ships that were held in mothball for longer periods of time. The A still has her original 5 turrets, one of which is open to the public, and all 3 16 turrets are open to the public along with a good 70% of the ship. The Drum has some corrosion problems, bit is currently in a state of restoration and her interior is in excellent condition and completely open. Other attractions include a collection of armored vehicles and aircraft, including an XF-17 and an XR-71. I would suggest a visit if ever in that area. Austel, the company that made the LCS-2 Independence is just down the road an there is currently another Littoral ship at dock. The restaurants in town are good too.