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TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA OLYMPIA COMMITTEE, INC., TO BRING THE USS OLYMPIA TO A PERMANENT HOME AT THE HISTORIC DRY DOCK OF MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, PARRIS ISLAND.
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 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, to help secure that future, the South Carolina Olympia Committee, Inc. (SCOC), is seeking to acquire the Olympia from the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia; and
Whereas, the SCOC envisions a permanent dry berthing of the Olympia in the historic U.S. Navy dry dock on South Carolina's Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. Built 1891-1895, this dry dock was part of the Navy's shoreside infrastructure to support the new "Blue Water" Navy that evolved at the end of the nineteenth century. The dry dock 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, furthermore, 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 its 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 support the South Carolina Olympia Committee, Inc., in its efforts to bring the USS Olympia to a new home in the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, support the efforts of the South Carolina Olympia Committee, Inc., to bring the USS Olympia to a permanent home at the historic dry dock of Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Independence Seaport Museum care of the South Carolina Olympia Committee, Inc.
This web page was last updated on April 19, 2012 at 12:19 PM