04/30/2023 Last Up Date
From: Jim Bosworth [mailto:JimBoz@chartermi.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 9:51 AM
To: Jim Bosworth
Subject: ACVA update
Hi,
I was asked to pass the following on to all of you.
Jim
PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT MIGHT HAVE SERVED ON AN ADAMS CLASS DDG, HAD A RELATIVE WHO SERVED ON AN ADAMS CLASS DDG OR MAY HAVE HELPED BUILD AN ADAMS CLASS DDG
FLASH TRAFFIC
FROM ACVA
* SAVE * RESTORE * PRESERVE *
NEWS UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 – ACVA Working to Establish ADAMS Ship Museum in Jacksonville, Florida
Since
completing the material condition evaluation and marine survey of the Charles F.
Adams in Philadelphia during May 2007, the ACVA has focused its efforts to
establish ADAMS as a ship museum in its old home port, Jacksonville, Florida.
Wayne Misenar, who served on the ship as Electronics Material Officer in the
late 1980’s, has headed up the effort assisted by Roger Perkins,
a local realtor and a former CIC Officer in ADAMS in the 1980’s, and Bert
Watson, a local lobbyist.
In early August ACVA
City Search Director Jim Aldrich, Wayne, Roger, and Bert Watson had a meeting
with Florida State Senator and past President of the Florida Senate, Senator Jim
King, to discuss the proposal of berthing the Adams as a ship museum in
Jacksonville. The Director of the Jacksonville Maritime Museum also attended the
meeting, and was very supportive. The Senator expressed an interest in the idea
of berthing ADAMS on the St
Johns River. He suggested that the ACVA
present the proposal to the local Councilmen who have jurisdiction over the
proposed berthing area.
Later in August our
team in Jacksonville had a great meeting with a City Councilmen, Warren
Jones, who had a very positive response to our ideas about the ship museum
concept on the river. Our Jax Team next plans to meet with other City
Councilmen, and then move on to meeting with the Mayor. When the time is right,
ACVA will bring in the support we have gained within the Florida State
Government. We will keep all ACVA members informed through regular updates over
the next few months. Our ACVA Board of Directors is starting a major
fundraising effort to obtain money for the project, specifically the preparation
of a Ship Donation Application. This will require some help from our
membership. Our goal is to “Save the Charley Deuce” and to establish a ship
museum and memorial in Florida honoring the service of the ADAMS class DDG’s,
the sailors who served in them, and all other veterans!
In the coming months, there will be more regular Newsletter updates with information on our progress in Jacksonville and our fundraising effort.
ADAMS CLASS VETERANS ASSOCIATION, Inc.
http://www.adamsclassddgvets.org/ACVA.pdf Spring News Letter
* SAVE * RESTORE * PRESERVE *
ACVA GOES ABOARD USS CHARLES F. ADAMS DDG-2
The ACVA received permission from NAVSEA to go aboard ADAMS to perform a complete ship evaluation of all 335 spaces. ACVA had 15 DDG crew members from many Adams Class ships on board May 22 and 23.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The ACVA recently performed a comprehensive material condition survey of the ADAMS. A Survey Team, comprised of 15 ACVA members (chosen for their varied technical expertise) and a Marine Surveyor, surveyed ADAMS 21-23 May in Philadelphia. The results of the Survey, while not yet complete, indicate that even though the ship is in pretty “rough” shape, she can be restored. The Team did not see anything at this point that would prevent her from becoming an excellent Naval ship museum. This report also includes details of the very successful meeting with Gloucester City officials. The report below describes some findings which may seem disheartening (some areas of the ship are in need of repair, refurbishment), but keep in mind that “overall” the Team found ADAMS to be in pretty good shape.
ACVA hired a professional marine engineer to go aboard Monday May 21st and perform hull tests and carefully go over the ship with a professional eye. We met with him Tuesday morning May 22 before beginning our ACVA evaluation and received a verbal summary of his survey. His full report is expected soon. The thinning hull in several places was previously known and documented. This will require the ship to be dry docked to make repairs to hull plates, before it goes to a museum city.
ACVA Evaluation Teams
Overall, it was an exhausting two day effort. The fifteen member evaluation team arrived in Gloucester City, NJ and met at the Quality Inn Monday evening May 21. Two members flew in, one from Tampa, FL. and one from Phoenix, AZ; The remainder drove in, Two from Jacksonville, FL.; Two from Maine; One from NY; Three from Virginia; Two from NJ; One from Ohio; and two from PA.
Our team included 4 main space engineers, 2 electricians, a hull technician and a damage control person, 2 weapons chiefs, a electronics warrant officer and radar technician, and a storekeeper. The diversity of experience included 2 former DDG commanding officers, 1 former FFG & CG commanding officer, four warrant officers, two chiefs, and various rates of petty officers. Volunteers were broken into 6 teams:
Main Space Engineers (4) EM/IC (2) DC/A Gang (2)
Weapons (2) Supply (2) Operations (2)
SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR THE EVALUATION TEAM:
These folks drove and flew long distances, paid all of their own expenses, and provided the sweat labor to survey and document the ship from the keel to the 03 level, and bow to stern.
No one has ever developed a complete evaluation like this.
Jim Aldrich (FL) Tom Crosser (AZ) Bob Rumney (VA) Dick Feckler (VA)
Bill Hunteman (VA) Wayne Misenar (FL) Jim Donaldson (FL) Rick Watson (ME)
Bob Branco (ME) Stephen Weber (PA) Bill Reinard (PA) Dave Myerly (NJ)
Jim Doster (NJ) Day2 Only Harold Strassner (NY) Day1 Only
Bob Fox (OH) Became ill Monday night and could not participate
We completed a tough task in less then two days that had been planned for three full days.
Great Job guys! And thanks for your dedication and all your hard work.
THE TEAM
THE EVALUATION
Bob Branco, ex Adams CO, obtained a set of deck plans and a compartment list for the 335 compartments a week before we came to the ship. Each group was responsible for assigned departmental compartments to locate, record safety and material condition, missing equipment, and take photos to document the conditions. The groups submitted evaluation sheets and turned their photos into a central contact for collection to place them on CD’s.
“Demilling” is an Ugly Fact:
The shipyard was ordered years ago to "demilitarize (demill) the ship." Much of the equipment was ruined in various ways and is sad to see. This method was used to prepare the ship to go to a scrapper and is a process where workers go through and bash equipment with hammers and cut wires to make it non usable.
The two 5 inch 54 gun barrels were cut off and the Tartar missile launcher rails were notched with torches. Countless pieces of electrical and electronic equipment wiring has been cut and gauges, radar repeater glass faces, gyro repeaters, were broken. The SPS-39A radar antenna is sitting on the fantail with an outer layer section cut out. Some pieces of equipment were removed from the ship, and sent to depots or other fleet ships for use.
Engineering spaces & shaft alleys:
Below decks all overboards are blanked off in the interior spaces and the bilges are in good shape for the age of the ship. Almost all equipment is still in place, and looks like it is ready to get underway. All tanks except one were found to be dry from previous cleaning. NAVSEA will take care of cleaning the tank found with about of 3 feet of oil and water in it.
Hull/DC/A Gang:
Almost all fire fighting stations on the ship had strainers and CO2 systems removed and/or disabled. All hoses, nozzles are gone, and almost all battle lanterns are shells, glass broken and no lights. Some ladders are dangerous and have missing pins, loose
and missing rails and topside rusted stepping plates. Many hatches and scuttles are in good condition, and major equipment - steering gear, emergency diesels etc. are OK.
A large cut out has been made in the bulkhead in the DCC area to remove equipment.
Electrical/IC:
General condition is good and lights were on in most spaces. Electrical switchboards are mostly intact, except the main breakers have been removed. Some equipment is in good shape, but all IC switchboards, Gyro & Main Telephone Switchboard were bashed.
Weapons:
Gears were ground off gun mounts and the ASROC launcher to prevent moving them. The ASROC launcher, and launcher station and maintenance room needs TLC. Many pieces of equipment have been removed, and if present gauges and components were smashed. Most fire control antennas remain in place but are missing parts. The ships boats, gig and whaleboat, were sent to Norfolk years ago.
Operations:
Many pieces of equipment in CIC, Radio, Bridge, Navigation and Electronic Warfare areas had equipment removed and/or demilled. One CIC DRT and radar scope have been removed through an 8x7 foot cut out in the side of CIC which has a temporary patch over it. Many deck plates are raised with chairs overturned leaving many cables lying around. The air search radar area has 3 scopes remaining that have been bashed. Status boards and air tracking plot boards are in place and operable.
Supply:
Crew berthing spaces were in good shape. Storerooms, laundry, scullery and galley look like they had just been vacated and could be brought back into service today. Mattresses are removed from all berthing compartments and staterooms and one berthing compartment has oil on deck that made for tricky walking. The CPO Mess, starboard side after of the scullery, was totally gutted. The main deck galley, scullery and mess decks were mostly intact and mess deck chairs and tables are in place as is the wardroom galley. Office equipment, and chairs throughout the ship are gone. Crew compartment and officers racks and lockers are in place.
Documentation:
A search of the Global Associates contractor's records resulted in finding some lists of the disposition of equipment that was removed from the ship, certification that all ship's tanks were emptied and left dry, asbestos inspections, etc. No ship's equipment remains stored in Philadelphia, as far as could be determined.
Evaluation Results:
On Tuesday May 22 from 8-11AM & 12-3PM, and Wednesday May 23 from7:30-11AM, our team visited all spaces in the ship that we could visit. There were a dozen spaces that were wired closed, but most of those were storerooms that had no significant interest.
For a 47 year old ship, the Charles F. Adams was in pretty good shape. There was the obvious rust and corrosion in deck house joints and areas on the main decks that are exposed to the weather. Paint is cracked and flaking all over the ship, and inside the hull, but re-preservation can be addressed later. Wednesday PM, the six teams met off ship and discussed the results of the evaluation.
Gloucester City Meeting:
On Tuesday night, Jim Aldrich presented a briefing to Mayor William James, Councilman Jay Brobhy, President of the Business Association Dave Stallwood, Vice President of the Business Association Kenny McAdams, and former Mayor Bob Bevin from Gloucester City, NJ. The city has a fine possible area on the Delaware River not far from the Walt Whitman Bridge from Philadelphia that has possibilities for development. A marina, fishing pier, and park with a river walk provide a couple of options for mooring the Charles F. Adams. The town is small, about 14000, and is a mostly a working class population with many small businesses. The cost of achieving their interest and ours is the main issue under discussion.
Corporate sponsorship and significant fund raising would be needed to make this project a reality in Gloucester City, NJ or any city we would partner with. Pastor Jim Doster, is a retired warrant officer, an ex Adams crewmate, and a local resident who runs the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Gloucester City, NJ. Jim Doster was our introduction to the city officials and did an outstanding job getting the team to and from the NAVSEA shipyard facility in his bus, and arranged special rates at the local Quality Inn. We are continuing discussions with Gloucester City, NJ.
Other Cities:
We continue talking with contacts at Jacksonville, FL. where there is a plan to expand the local Maritime Museum to include a ship, and Savannah, GA. has expressed an interest as well. Other cities are still talking with us about possibilities.
The bottom line of all our discussions is that the ACVA needs to raise some significant money, and work to engage corporate sponsorship for both the restoration of the ship, and to establish the berth where she will be moored.
Dave Myerly
ACVA Executive Secretary
.................................................................................................................................................................................................
An IRS 501(c) 3 Non Profit Organization
To: ACVA Members, Former Shipmates and Friends,
I hope all of you know by now that the ex-USS ADAMS DDG2 has been returned
to "Donation Hold Status" at the direction of the CNO, Admiral Mullen a former
Adams Class DDG Commanding Officer. On April 25, 2007, I received a letter from
Vice Admiral M. P. Fitzgerald, Director, Navy Staff for the CNO, confirming this
decision. We now have until March 31, 2008, to find a home for ADAMS and submit
an Application for Donation to NAVSEA.
So what to we do now?
Our "City Search Team" composed of retired Captains, Jim Aldrich (DCA/MPA on
DDG11, 67-70) and Bob Branco (MPA on DDG23, 68-69, XO on DDG20, 77-79, CO on
DDG2, 83-85) are currently investigating the possible berthing of ADAMS in the
Jacksonville/Mayport area of Florida. ADAMS was home ported in Mayport from 1969
until decommissioning, twenty three (23) years. Other members of our ACVA Board
are making the rounds once again and contacting existing museums to identify a
back up location. Anyone with connections to any museum that you believe might
be interested in adding ADAMS should contact me by email at tecrosserbsausnr@aol.com
or by phone at 623-849-9526. ACVA will follow up on all leads. We are still
working with several other cities that we have previously worked with, to see if
they can commit to a berth and funding.
Comprehensive Survey Team to visit ADAMS
On the morning of May 7, 2007, ACVA submitted an "Official Request" to
NAVSEA so that on Monday, May 21, 2007, marine surveyor Joe Lombardi can conduct
a resurvey of ADAMS in order to update the one he conducted a few years ago.
Thanks to Member Donations this has been made possible. Information from the
survey will help us in our talks with those we are asking to offer ADAMS a
berth.
Not only did ACVA file a "Formal Request" with NAVSEA to perform a resurvey
but also to allow a team from ACVA to go aboard Adams on May 22, for what we are
calling a Comprehensive Working Survey. We also asked for two extra days on
ADAMS, May 23-24 if necessary to complete our work.
Bob Branco took a volunteer list we gathered in 2004-2005 and contacted many
and came up with a revised list of volunteers that will be divided into six (6)
teams of 2-4 persons to cover as many spaces on ADAMS as team size and time
permit. Bob devised a standard survey form to document missing or broken items
in each space and the overall condition of that space. The team consists of
seven (7) former Enlisted, two (2) former Warrant Officers and four (4) former
Officers (all 06 Retired USN Captains).
This team plans to take many photos, lots of Video and take a minimum of two
(2) weeks to compile a report and post photos to the ACVA and/or ADAMS web
sites.
Moving Ahead After the Survey Work
At a special ACVA Board meeting on May 7, 2007, we passed two very important
motions.
The first was to, "Begin efforts to raise $100,000 within four (4) months in
order to begin work on a Donation Application."
The second was to, "Develop a strategy to address the need to have $5-7 million
in the
bank by March 31, 2008."
Having the Donation Application written and filed with NAVSEA will take 75%
of the $100,000 we propose to raise under motion number #1. Much of this money
will need to be raised from former Adams Class Sailors. The money raised under
motion #2 will need to be raised from Corporate Donations and from the Public in
and around the area where ADAMS will have her final berth.
A Long and Difficult Passage Lies Ahead
The course we have charted will be a long and difficult task and take us
through uncharted waters. Other groups have successfully made the journey and
ACVA will do its best to keep
us on track.
Our ACVA Board has an urgent need for two new members. First we must acquire
Professional Legal Assistance (Pro Bono if possible). Having a former ADAMS
Class Sailor in this position would be nice but not mandatory. Perhaps there is
a son or daughter or even a grandson or granddaughter of a former ADAMS Class
crew member willing to lend us their counsel.
Our second need is for someone with a financial background to come aboard as
Treasurer.
Our current Treasurer has been trying to retire for several months so we need to
find a replacement soon.
Future of ACVA and ADAMS
No one said it would be easy, and no one said it would be quick. Some on our
board worked with other groups to find a home not only for ADAMS but other ADAMS
Class ships and they came up short. I don't want to see us end up short again. I
hope that with the help of all those who ever walked across the quarterdeck of
an ADAMS Class ship and called her home for even a short time, we will be
successful.
Donations to help make this dream come true can be sent to our ACVA Secretary,
Dave Myerly at the following address.
Dave Myerly
5 Bush Road
Denville, NJ 07834-2906
With the help of our ADAMS Class Shipmates we can and will be successful.
Questions and comments can be sent directly to me at tecrosserbsausnr@aol.com or
by phone at 623-849-9526 or mail them to me at the following address.
Tom Crosser
President, Adams Class Veterans Association, Inc.
8520 West Clarendon
Phoenix, AZ 85037-2723