graper@BRL.MIL (MTSD/FIO) (12/19/90)
From: Graper Brad P (MTSD/FIO) <graper@BRL.MIL> There is a Spanish-American War vintage cruiser, the Olympia, I believe docked in Philly as a permanent visitor attraction. I saw it a few years ago. Very interesting, especially for those who have only been on WWII era floating museums. The huge triple-expansion steam engines are interesting. I recommend it; there's not too many ships available to look at from the "age of iron", and they are significantly different from both what came before and what came after. There's also a submarine nearby, I think. I also have been on a tour of the Phiuladelphia Navy yard, about four years ago. They used to have tours every Saturday, at 9:00 and 11:00, I think. Not sure if they stiklll do. You could take your camera along, but could only rake pictures in certain places in the yard. The bus went by the 6-9 mothballed destroyers they had there, the two Salem class cruisers in mothballs, and some smaller stuff. It went into the actual navy yard, but you couldn't take pictures. When i was there they still had a BB. I believe it was the Wisconsin, just before it left for its refit. They usually have a carrier there, udergoing a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) refit -- the SLEP refit at that time took 30 months to complete. They would also usually have a helicopter carrier in at the same time. Don't know what's there now. -bpg