Navy intends to build a new National Museum of the US Navy (NMUSN). The proposed $450 million flagship museum would replace the current museum, located in Building 76 of the Navy Yard in
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Washington, DC (currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic). The Navy is currently working to acquire six acres of land outside the Navy Yard; it must work through negotiations, environmental studies, and legislative actions before the land deal can be finalized. The proposed campus-style museum would be outside the security perimeter of the Navy Yard, sparing visitors the security measures currently required at the museum’s present location. The Naval History and Heritage Command states that the new site would “provid[e] the public with unfettered access to US Navy history.” The goal of the planned museum will be to celebrate 250 years of US Navy history and to foster public understanding of the Navy’s rich history and proud heritage via new exhibits, but also to serve as an educational, inspirational, cultural, and ceremonial center for former and current naval service members. (www.history.navy.mil) … The UK’s Sunderland Maritime Heritage Centre (SMHC) is raising funds to keep the trawler Willdora afloat. The Dunkirk “little ship,” a veteran of Operation Dynamo, was credited with saving over 200 soldiers; in recent years she has been in the care of the SMHC. Unfortunately, she suffered a failure of the drive coupling between the gearbox and the prop shaft and damage to the gearbox flange while on a test sail on the River Tyne early this fall and had to be towed back. As of press time, the group plans to haul out Willdora and clean off her hull below the waterline, as well as carrying out repairs. Built in 1901 in Scotland along with sister vessels Willanne and Willmarie, Willdora was among the first to arrive when called to take part in Operation
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