Wharf Rat's Home - A Shipmate Who Never Made it to Sea.

'It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.'

Preserving a piece of US Maritime History - invaluable

The USS Olympia is a cruiser that fought in the Spanish American War in 1898 and has been preserved in Philadelphia. She's a one of a kind ship, a national historic monument, and in danger. She needs approximately $10-15 million in repairs to keep her a viable museum for years to come. If you have the resources, or connections to those resources, please consider helping. (full disclosure - there is no financial benefit to me to ask the question - we need to save this ship for posterity). Please contact me at 612-599-1935 or bdskon@fedex.com if you have additional questions.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Now this is what I'm talking about! A new version of 'Battleship Row'

PHILIPPINE SEA (Jan. 29, 2012) Six of the seven ships assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 transit in formation during Multi-Sail 2012. Multi-Sail is a semi-annual event designed to improve readiness and coordination across multiple warfare areas. Pictured are the guided-missile destroyers USS Mustin (DDG 89), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Lassen (DDG 62) and USS Stethem (DDG 63). The seven ships of DESRON-15 are forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Operations Specialist 2nd Class Chin Ng/Released)