NMHS MISSION:
In the Field
1994 Maritime Heritage Bill Passes House and Senate As we go to press with this issue of Sea History, word comes of the passage of the National Maritime Heritage Bill, HR 3059. The Act authorizes a matching grant program for maritime heritage projects with proceeds from the scrapping of surplus ships in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. The bill, campaigned for by the National Maritime Alliance (NMA), faced considerable obstacles as it made its way through the various Congressional subcommittees. According to NMA director David Brink, funds will be divided one quarter to heritage projects, three quarters to the Maritime Administration and to the maritime academies. At this time, it is unclear what the doUar figure will be and when funds will be available. The bill is a first attempt to have Congress redress a previous lack of support for maritime heritage preservation. The last Congressional appropriation, introduced by the National Maritime Historical Society, made $5 million available for maritime preservation in 1979. These funds were critical to the successful preservation of impo1tant maritime properties. NMHS President Peter Stanford has underlined the need for new appropriations: "In recent conferences and hallway discussions, one hears serious concern that the historic ship establishment is threatened by inadequate finances. This can and must be turned around." KH
National Trust Affirms its Role in Maritime Preservation Speaking to participants at the recent National Maritime Heritage Conference in Boston, Peter Brink, National Trust Vice President for Programs, Information and Services, affirmed the Trust's desire to work with the maritime heritage community to preserve endangered resources. The Trust closed its maritime office in 1993 , but Brink applauded the partnership with the National Maritime Alliance that has formed since. This past year, the Trust provided grants to the NMA and legal assistance with the National Maritime Heritage Act. Brink, a veteran of the Galveston seapmt restoration, expressed the belief that "ce1tain types of maiitime projects can lift community preservation efforts to a new level" and acknowledged the advocacy and outreach effo1ts of the National Maritime Historical Society. KH SEA HISTORY 71, AUTUMN 1994
1994 List of Endangered Maritime Resources Announced In an effort to inform the American public abo ut the critical state of numerous maritime resources and artifacts across the country, the National Maritime Alliance has announced its 1994 List of Endangered Maritime Resources. The Alliance formed a special Endangered Maritime Resources Committee, headed by Eric Speth of the Jamestown Settlement, to review nominations for the list. The committee, which includes NMHS president Peter Stanford, announced the li st at the 6th Annual National Maritime Heritage Conference in Boston, 14-17 September.
SS WilliamG.Mather- builtin 1925 in River Rouge, Michigan. This is one of the few remaining Great Lakes bulk cargo vessels. Her present owners, theGreatLakes Historical Society in Cleveland , Ohio, are threatened by the loss of the vessel 's berth and have few prospects for another berth large enough for the 60 1-foot vessel. The Great Lakes Historical Society, keepers of the bulk Old Barge Cafe- the last sur- cargo carrier William G. Mather, shown here, are viving example of a floating oyster threatened with the loss of berthing space for the vessel. shucking house. The vessel was originally used by an oyster dealer on the New York City waterfront and most recently was used as a restaurant. Her present owners are looking for a site where the barge can be preserved, maintained and interpreted for the public. USS Constellation- built in 1855 at the Norfolk Navy Yard. Constellation is the last sai ling warship built for the United States Navy. The vessel's fabric is greatly deteriorated, creating a serious hog in her keel and a loss of fastening integrity. Her present owners, the US Navy, have entrusted the vessel to the USF Constellation Foundation, Inc. in Baltimore who are in the process of raising funds and public awareness for a preservation campaign. Schooner C.A. Thayer- built in Fairhaven, California. This is one of three remai ning West Coast three-masted coastal trading schooners and it has been the venue of an extremely successfu l children's overnight education program. The vessel has severe frame and hull deterioration. The present owner, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, is attempting to raise the estimated $6 .7 million needed to restore the vessel. Tankmaster No.1 (formerly known as Beth Tank Ship No . 2, New York , and Catawissa)built in 1897 in Wilmington, Delaware. This is one of the few remaining ocean-going steam tugs that towed strings of coal barges along the US East Coast. The present owner, the NY Thruway Authority, is seeking a new owner for the vessel. Tug Luna- built in 1930, in Solomons , Maryland. Designed by John G. Alden, Luna was the first diesel-electric-powered tugboat built for commercial towing. Her present owners, the Metropolitan District Commission of Boston, is planning to scuttle the vessel. The Luna Preservation Society is attempting to retrieve the tug from the MDC and ra ise the funds necessary to restore her. SS Wapama (formerly known as Tongass)-built in 1915 in St. Helens, Oregon. The last surviving wooden stean1 schooner, she is so badly stricken with wood rot th at she sits on a steel barge. The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park needs an estimated $1 million just to stabilize her. SS Nobska (formerly known as the Nantucket)-bui lt in 1925 in Bath, Maine. She operated as the New Bedford/Martha's Vineyard/Nantucket ferry until 1973 and is one of the few remaining steam-powered coastal passenger ships in the country. Her hull plates, particularly her stern quarters, are in very poor condition. Her owner, the New England Steamship Foundation, is hoping to stabilize her, locate a su itable drydock and raise money for her restoration. She is currently located at Indian Point Park in Providence, Rhode Island. Sankaty Head Lighthouse---constructed in 1850 on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. This lighthouse is one of the oldest towers in the nation. Cliff erosion threatens to drop the tower into the sea unless it is moved further inland. The present owner, the US Coast Guard, is attempti ng to create public awareness and a source of funding to relocate the tower. Nauset Light Station---constructed in 1877 in Chatham as the North Lighthouse. It was moved to Eastham, Massachusetts, in 1923 and was set 500 feet from the bank. Erosion has reduced the cliff, and the tower now sits only 54 feet from the edge. The present owners, the US Coast Guard, and the Nauset Light Preservation Society are attempting to raise funds to relocate the tower. .t
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