As a resident of New Orleans, I've watched the misadventures of the Cabot as
it spent some time here. The following is my understanding from friends and
newspaper accounts so take it as such.
The Cabot aka "DEDALO" was sold to Brazil (I think) and they kept it in
service until a few years ago (could be as much as 10 - I'm not sure) Anyway,
They were
thru with her and somehow approached us in the Us. A local VFW (?) group were
chosen to recieve the ship and the friendly south americans DONATED the boat
to said group with the stipulation that it be used as a historical display. I
think the
previous owners piloted her to New Orleans at their own expense. The "group"
began raising funds including, at some point, taking a mortgage on their
property.
They did what they could to stabilize the ship but were in over their heads.
At some point, one of our senators, Bob Livingston I believe, managed to get
FEDERAL
FUNDING to drydock and clean / paint the hull But I believe there was an
outstanding balance due. The "group" had a fine berth picked out in the Miss.
river
at a nice little park. About this time two things happened; A local business
man
invested in the boat so he could "aid" the restoration by putting a CASINO on
a
lower deck, and some authority types decided that that river location was
subject
to collision so the ship had no home. She was moved around the river for a
couple of years; sustaining and maybe causing some damage along the way (the
berthing cost adding up the whole time.) Another group, (a Vietnam Vet
bunch,) began planning to bring the ship to the Chalmette Battlefield Park /
Monument site where
local tourboats dock daily. The local Dock Board would waive there berthing
fees
and some arrangements were begun, BUT; two more problems; A scare about the
asbestos content (easily handled on other WWII ships) and previously
mentioned "Business Man." He had lost his bid to install the CASINO, (boo
hoo,) and now
wanted his money back. Court battles etc... I still don't know how a ship,
donated
back to US citizens with a covenant of usage, not to mention the donated
Federal Funds, could now be considered the property of this unnamed "Business
Man."
If he retained ownership, he had to pay the dock board. It became obvious
about
this time, that his only intention was to sell the ship as scrap. There was
then talk
of how she could be saved by the Texans or maybe sunk as an artificial reef.
Once it left New Orleans, the local coverage wained so my story ends. As
previously noted,
I present this as a rough perception only. I don't have facts in front of me
so I promise
no acuracy (for the litigious types!)
I don't mean to discourage anyone from trying to save this singular example
of American ingenuity; I hope someone can!
BTW the Pensacola Naval Air Museum has an indoor representation of the
flight deck and tower with some actual artifacts of the Cabot. At least some
history will survive. They also have excellent history / displays and parts
of the Navy's Airship
program. I hope this was informative, Thx, Wes G
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue Jan 02 2001 - 23:13:24 PST