Posted on 05/24/2008 11:38:49 AM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
Once it was Japanese torpedoes and kamikaze suicide planes. Then, the threat of the wrecking ball. Now, it's money -- or the lack of it -- that could imperil the future of the USS Intrepid.
Nineteen months after tugboats pried it from the mud at its Hudson River pier and towed it away for a much-needed renovation, the legendary World War II aircraft carrier needs a sizable infusion of cash to resume its postwar career as a floating military museum. If all goes according to plan, the ship will be brought back in early October and formally reopened to the public on Nov. 11, Veterans Day. That depends on finding the wherewithal to complete the job that was first estimated at $65 million to $70 million and is now expected to cost $110 million overall, said Bill White, president of the USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Of that total, $66 million is for rebuilding its city-owned pier, and the rest for the museum ship itself. Already, in what he admits was a move he never expected would be necessary, White has put the Intrepid's $15 million endowment up as collateral to cover expenses. That money would be repaid, he said. In addition, he asked the federal government to pony up more money for costs of returning the ship, including $9 million to $12 million for dredging a trench for it to rest in.
(Excerpt) Read more at silive.com ...
The Intrepid received a lot of financial support from the Fisher family, which has emphasized military-related philanthropies, but I suppose they cannot pay for it on their own. Especially since they have become the most tragic real estate dynasty in New York.
Andrew Fisher died at 22 in a car crash in 2003. His uncle M. Anthony died with his wife in an airplane crash a few months later. Richard, brother of Tony and father of Andrew, died in 2006 of cancer. Sadly, the brothers are survived by their mother, Emily Fisher Landau, a major philanthropist. Other spouses and children of the family have also died prematurely in the last decade.
Perhaps they should move it somewhere that has a suitable pier and wants a tourist attraction.
Impressive.Thanx for pic.Ironic that a ship w such a distinguished record is now in dire straights for funding.We have billions of $$ to throw around for pork,but no $$ for restoration of a warship that played a critical role in the defense of our nation?
“Perhaps they should move it somewhere that has a suitable pier and wants a tourist attraction.”
If I was a billionaire I’d buy it and turn it into a cruise ship. Or maybe I could make a deal with Blackwater. Hmmmm.
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I propose a ta... ah, “assessment” ... of one dollar on everyone who votes on American Idol. Second?
Just read on FR that Warren Buffet, currently the richest man in the world, is predicting a long deep recession. Got me to thinking wouldn’t be hard for him to pony up same money to save the Intrepid. Has he ever done anything significant for his country (never served in the military) other than make money by wheeling and dealing in investments for himself?
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