The Course Aheadfor USS Olympia: ''Let the Ship Be the Ship" Olympia epitomizes the emergence of the United States and its Navy as a significant global force at the dawn of the "American Century." Like che Statue of Liberty, she is an icon of this nation's history and present strength. Independence Seaport M useum considers it a privilege to have been entrusted with the preservation of Olympia. Olympia lay at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard from 1923 until 1958, when local citizens created the Cruiser O lympia Association to turn the ship into a museum. By 199 5 the Association, in financial difficulties, asked the Independence Seaport Museum to ass ume responsibility for the preservation of the ship. Initial assessment showed Olympia to be amazingly complete and authentic in many ways, bur also seriously deteriorated in critical areas. In addition, numerous "restorations" were carried out over the years without adequate documentation or research. The Museum has examined all aspects of the ship to differentiate between authentic historic fabric and sometimes fanciful reconstruction. A comprehensive Historic Structure Report was completed in 1999. More detailed surveys of structure, fittings,
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ANTIQUE SEA CHARTS &MAPS 17th - 20th Century
furnishings , plans, photographs, and artifacts are on-going. The Museum's highest priority has been the protection of the ship: prevention of fire and flooding, new electrical and alarm systems, mooring improvements, visitor safety, and the like. Artifacts have been removed for protection and cataloging, spaces have been cleaned and painted, and clearly alien elements (such as plywood partitions) removed. An interim interpretive program on board is consistent with the philosophy "let the ship be the ship" (i.e. , the visitor experience should be of the ship herself, nor
Today, Olympia is open to visitors at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, docked beside the submarine USS Becuna. (Photo: Independence Seaport Museum)
exhibitry or artifacts not aboard during her active career). She is again hosting visitors at the rate of nearly 100,000 per year. Bur Olympia needs significant repairs. Her hull plates are dangerously thin in places (she was last drydocked in 1946). Her completely deteriorated wood decks must be replaced. Her deck structures and rig are wasted and must be strengthened. Her boilers and fire rooms are in bad shape, and their preservation will be expensive. The Museum is now developing estimates so that the search for funding can begin. Once preservation of the structure is assured, work can begin on the interior. It is here that Olympia shines; extraordinary amounts of original equipment and fittings remain intact. The goal of the Museum is to repair the ship so that she can be presented as Olympia, the cruiser of 1895, not as a reconstruction. Current, incomplete estimates indicate that the full process will cost in excess of $20 million and take nearly a decade to complete. -PAUL DE 0RSAY, Vice President Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia PA 19106; 215-925-5439
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THE OLDEST HOUSE MUSEUM Oldest House in South Florida tells of Key West wrecking history. 322 ou:a1 St. Key West FL 33040
Step aboard history and tour Admiral Dewey's flagship, OLYMPIA. Declared a National Historic Landmark, OLYMPIA continues to serve as a proud symbol of a time when America grew to maturity.
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Independence Seaport Museum Penn's Landing at 211 S. Columbus Blvd. & Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 www.libertynet.org/seaport 215.925.5439