Celebrating 50 Years

1965 - 2015

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

SPONSORED BY

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 3 File Photos BELOW: The USS Massachusetts arrives in Fall River on June 12, 1965. OPPOSITE: Big Mamie, a BB-59 battleship, rests in its original berth before being brought to what would become Battleship Cove.

ARRIVAL OF ALEGEND STEPHANIE LEOMBRUNO CORRESPONDENT BEGUN WITH BIG leasing a group of visi- that is exactly what Battleship Cove tors consisting of chil- has been doing for half a century. MAMIE, THE 50YEAR dren, seniors, families, This week, the maritime heritage JOURNEY OF war veterans and his- museum will celebrate its 50th anni- torians may seem like versary with festivities sure to please BATTLESHIP COVE Pan impossible task, yet and inspire every type of visitor. 4BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS “This commemoration is meant to celebrate the people that made Battleship Cove possible,” said Brad King, executive director of Battleship Cove. In 1964, the USS Massachusetts was slated for scrapping. “Citizens of Massachusetts, including veterans, schoolchildren, and politicians, formed a coalition and were able to stop this from hap- pening,” said King. “This celebration is for them.” The USS Massachusetts was brought to the Fall River waterfront on June 12, 1965, after being cheered by over half a million people standing along the shores of Narragansett Bay and the Taunton River during the journey. On Aug. 14, 1965, she was commemorated in a ceremony that also declared the site the official World War II memorial for the state. The USS Massachusetts, or “Big Mamie” to her crew, had seen an illustrious military career. She was commissioned on May 12, 1942 in Boston, and went on to receive 11 battle stars for her service in World War II campaigns. The first year alone, Battleship Cove received over 250,000 visitors. The Battleship Cove of today would scarcely be rec- ognized by those early visitors. With the addition of the Destroyer, USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., the submarine the USS Lionfish, PT Boats 617 and 796, the missile corvette Hiddensee, and world class exhibits “Our goal is to like The Pearl Harbor Experience As such, the commemoration cel- and Women Protecting US, remind Fall River to ebration will also honor its veterans place for reflection and remem- Battleship Cove is now the world’s in a number of events, including largest collection of historic naval be proud of its his- brance. The centerpiece of this room holding the 70th and final reunion will be a massive flag that once flew ships, and the site of five National tory and its people.” of the USS Massachusetts’ crew Historic Landmarks. on the USS Massachusetts. It has members who served during World been dubbed “the Casablanca flag,” “We have an extremely hard- — Brad King, executive War II. This reunion is the longest- working crew of staff and volunteers as it was hit during the Battle of director of Battleship Cove running annual reunion in the his- Casablanca in November 1942. In here,” said curator Christopher tory of the Navy. Nardi, who has been working at the spite of what was most likely an 8- The commemoration celebration inch artillery shell ripping through museum for almost 30 years. “We week, the museum and the sur- is just the beginning of what King always have more to do than can the middle and leaving a jagged, rounding area will hold events, and the crew of Battleship Cove have soot-stained hole, the flag remained possibly be done, but we all have including a variety of musical planned for the property and the such a great love for this ship and flying and in one piece through the performances, retro USO shows, city. Plans are under way to build rest of the battle. this place.” a Rosie the Riveter Look-a-Like and expand the indoor museum sec- Today, Battleship Cove, as “We’ve kept it well-preserved, Contest, car shows, dance canteens tion of the property, constructing and it’s ready to take its rightful America’s Fleet Museum, is one and a citywide parade. a brand new, beautifully styled of the top five most visited attrac- place,” said Nardi. The flag will be “We want to celebrate those building. “We have so many impor- on display during August’s festivities, tions in Massachusetts, boasting people involved in first bringing the tant pieces of history here,” said an impressive calendar of educa- before coming to rest in the Hall of USS Massachusetts here, as well as King. “We need to get them out of Valor after the museum opens. tion programs and exciting events. supporting it all these years,” said the elements.” But they’ve never held something “It’s an exciting time for King. “Our goal is to remind Fall The new building will also have Battleship Cove as well as the city,” quite as big as the Battleship Cove River to be proud of its history and a memorial room deemed the “Hall Commemoration celebration. This said King. “We’re very excited to its people.” of Valor,” designed to be a special share it with everyone.”

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 5 BUILT LAST BIG MAMIE’S JOURNEY BEGAN IN QUINCY

MADELINE FROYD ship was awarded to the Bethlehem the ship had to be riveted together, enlist in the Navy after his work SPECIAL TO THE HERALD NEWS Steel Co. in Quincy, Massachusetts, piece by piece, to eventually add on the ship. As an accomplished in 1938. At the time, there were up to a 681-foot-long battleship saxophone player, DeChambeau got ooking out at the three contracts out for ships of the with a standard displacement of the chance to perform on many dif- harbor, the USS South Dakota class, and three ship- 35,000 tons. The USS Massachusetts ferent ships throughout his time in Massachusetts yards in the running — however, would become the heaviest ship ever service, including one he had helped stands tall and only one of those ships would be launched in Quincy. create with his own hands: the USS proud, solid and named after the commonwealth, The keel was laid on July 20, Massachusetts. unwavering. Winds and only one of the shipyards in 1939, a momentous occasion for the The nearly $80 million battleship don’t move her, competition was located in that ship but not the city it was being was launched on Tuesday, Sept. 23, rains don’t faze her, same state. built in, which saw such things 1941, an impressive seven months and the thousands of feet that have It was only fitting that the USS happen regularly in its active ship- ahead of schedule. The fifth US walked her deck over the years have Massachusetts would be built in yards. Navy ship to be named after the Lnot wearied her. And after spending the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy. While the ship was being built, state of Massachusetts was chris- 50 years in the harbor, a good por- The yard had been at that location many of the officers and enlisted tened by a bottle of champagne and tion of the residents of Fall River since 1901, employed nearly 7,000 personnel assigned to “Big Mamie” Mrs. Charles Frances Adams, whose and the surrounding areas have workers, and was one of the most reported to her in Quincy, in order husband was a former secretary of never known the city without “Big active in the country. More than to familiarize themselves with the the Navy and a relation of the presi- Mamie.” 3,500 plans were necessary to con- ship and each other before their dential Adams family. But as much as the ship may struct the ship, which consisted of active duty began. After completion, The USS Massachusetts was seem like an integral part of the 35,000 tons of steel, including four they would cruise around the world officially commissioned on May landscape, she hasn’t enormous metal propellers weighing operating the 16-inch gun barrels in 12, 1942, and went on to travel to always been. The 25 tons each. triple mounts that were their ship’s places as far away as Okinawa and contract for the Each steel plate that made up main armaments. Casablanca, and as close to home One of the ship’s builders, Jack as Boston and, of course, Fall DeChambeau, even went on to River.

The USS Massachusetts, San Diego and San Juan are berthed at the Fore River Shipyard in 1941.

6BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS A DAY HOURS IN THE LIFE OF A AT SEA SEAMAN

ELIZABETH TEITZ 07:30 12:00 it was during this time that he night as long as we weren’t in SPECIAL TO THE HERALD NEWS Breakfast Call Lunch, Fourth watch began drawing cartoons of life enemy areas,” Canfield said, and on the ship, including portraits cowboy movies were especially The secret to feeding such a large begins for seamen to send home to their popular. The area behind the 00:00 crew was trying to keep every- “You stood in line to get break- families or girlfriends, a pastime ship’s third turret was often used First watch begins body happy, Nye said. “We had fast, lunch and dinner,” Canfield that led to his appointment as the for screenings, as well as con- everything you could imagine. said. “Even though we were in ship’s cartoonist. certs and variety shows. 03:00 Plenty of dry and hot cereal, many battles, I never remembered Meal preparation bacon and eggs, you name it.” ever missing dinner, or breakfast begins or lunch even. The bourbon was 16:30 20:00 “Liberty Call” Sixth watch begins “Feeding 2,300 hungry sailors 08:00 a little thin,” he joked, “but no could be almost as difficult as Morning colors, one ever went hungry on the When in port or at anchor, sailors Massachusetts.” were able to go ashore. These 21:00 fighting off enemy attacks,” said Third watch begins Taps Harold Nye, a chief cook on the evenings could include attending ship, in a 1989 interview with 08:05 13:00 dances hosted by local organiza- With 2,300 men aboard a ship The Herald News. His day began “Commence ship’s “Commence ship’s tions, going to bars or buying sou- intended to hold 1,800, offices with preparation at 3 a.m., and work” work” venirs for family from overseas. and passageways were converted ended when the last sailors were to fit extra bunks and hammocks, Sailors’ tasks were assigned 17:30 stacked three or four high. For fed, usually after 7 p.m. by rank, which ranged from 16:00 “Knock off ship’s Evening Meal the most part, men slept below navigation and steering for the decks in their sack, though some 04:00 Quartermaster, to chipping and work,” Fifth watch Second watch begins begins 18:00 chose to sleep on deck, especially painting for the lowest-ranking Sweeper’s Call in the heat of the South Pacific, seamen, which kept the ship rust- Battleships of this size were 05:30 Sunset Canfield remembered. “If you free. Holystoning, the process of referred to as “cities on the sea,” wanted to, you could always take Reveille, sweeping scrubbing the ship’s teak decks and during free time, soldiers had Evening colors were held each and cleaning begins a shower,” he said. Though the with sandstone to keep them access to a variety of recreational night. The flag was lowered as the ship was only “somewhat air- All living areas of the ship were “gleaming white,” was another activities. These included musical National Anthem played, finishing conditioned,” Canfield said that cleaned two to three times each particularly difficult cleaning task. performances, boxing, shuffle- with the last note. he “never remembered being day, usually by the newest or board and skeet shooting, as well uncomfortable. Most of us never lowest-ranking men. Men would 09:00 as visiting the ship’s library and 19:30 missed a meal, never missed a sometimes hide when it was time Instruction and popular soda shop, where ice “Movies when shower.” for cleaning to avoid this, said Bil Inspection cream sodas and grilled cheese ordered” Canfield, Boatswain Mate First topped the menu. “A lot of it was “We’d always have a movie at Class and the ship’s cartoonist. boring,” Canfield recalled, but

Big Mamie crewmembers scrub down the deck. FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF BATTLESHIP COVE BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 7 BRINGING IN THE EFFORT TO GET THE USS MASSACHUSETTS A BATTLESHIP MARC MUNROE DION looking to save the Battleship Mayor Roland Desmarais, who A military draft was still in HERALD NEWS STAFF Massachusetts. told them, “Call Bill Torpey.” effect, so a majority of all men “They called the city of “I got all excited,” Torpey had served in the military. ill Torpey, Providence, I think the mayor’s said. “I was jumping around all Regional loyalties, loyalty to once the head office, and asked them if they’d over that office.” of the State like a million dollar tourist It was a different time. A Pier, is 88 attraction,” Torpey said. majority of middle-aged men years old. “Providence told them the you stopped on the street were And he Battleship Massachusetts didn’t World War II is one of the make much sense for Rhode veterans. remaining Island. Providence told them to men who can still tell the call Fall River.” story of how the Battleship The two men called Fall River MassachusettsB came to Fall River, a story not so much of daring but dimes and nickels, civic pride and last minute luck. Return with us to 1964 when Torpey, much younger than he is now, had just completed his first 10 years at the State Pier. Torpey remembers June 1964, when two Boston guys, Jack Cassidy and Martin Adler, both members of Boston’s Redevelopment Authority, were

8BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS FILE PHOTOS Campaigns to bring the USS Massachusetts to Fall River were in full swing in 1964, complete with models and posters. a city, even loyalties to a specific talk casually about a quarter million $100,000. He never knew why but she thought I was crazy,” Torpey neighborhood were stronger. dollars. now he had a target. said. Torpey went to see Jack Brayton, One hundred people showed up Torpey figured one good place to He and others went to see the president of the B.M.C. Durfee at a meeting to organize the fund- raise money was children. ship. Bank. raising. “I spent my time on school kids,” “The ship was in awful shape,” “The first thing the Navy is “The first couple of months, it he said. “I met every school superin- Torpey said. “Just in appearance.” going to want is money,” Torpey was going to go to Boston,” Torpey tendent in Bristol County. We raised The local Lions, Rotary and told Brayton. “That will be what said. quite a bit of money that way.” Kiwanis clubs raised money in they want to guarantee a successful Without much more than the Narragansett Beer got into the Norfolk, Virginia. operation.” beginning of an organization, act, Torpey said. The company The Massachusetts drew 35 Torpey asked Brayton to be Torpey left for Washington, D.C., paid for collection boxes with the feet of water, but the water at the treasurer of the not-yet-formed with Cassidy, to meet with the outline of the battleship and the mooring was only 30 feet deep. The USS Massachusetts Memorial Battleship Massachusetts Crew Narragansett Beer logo on the front. state agreed to dredge and build a Committee, Inc. Members Association. “Joe Feitelberg did a tremendous dock. Brayton agreed immediately, “I’m not sure who arranged it,” corporate fundraising job,” Torpey Almost done. then the two men sought out local Torpey said. “I never knew. But, we said. “We signed for the ship days or businessman Joseph Feitelberg, who didn’t have anywhere to stay and Still, no one was sure. Torpey weeks before its arrival,” Torpey was also a lieutenant in the Naval someone arranged for us to stay at said he and other Board of Directors said. Reserve. the Indian embassy.” members pledged $2,500 each, in Torpey said it took between seven “Because of his uniform and his By the time Torpey got to his case they couldn’t meet the goal. and nine days for the ship to get position, I asked him to be presi- meeting with the “I got home and told my wife and here. dent,” Torpey said. Navy, the price “Thousands of people came Feitelberg agreed immediately. for the battleship down to watch it come in,” he “The Navy wanted $250,000 to had dropped to said. “I was out on the end of the show we knew what we were doing,” dock. I cried.” Torpey said. In 1964, when people were buying houses for less than $10,000, people didn’t

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 9 NO SMALL TASK BIG MAMIE ALMOST ENDED UP ELSEWHERE

JAY PATEAKOS CORRESPONDENT FILE PHOTO or many of us, noted, and the Boston idea Local businessman Joseph Feitelberg, Battleship Cove ended abruptly. a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve, has always just Strafford Morss, who would was part of the USS Massachusetts been there, become a member of the Memorial Committee, Inc., becoming something that USS Massachusetts Memorial its president in May 1965. we take for Committee with Feitelberg, granted. was a restoration engineer who But it’s a worked on the USS Texas, the story that could have had a dif- first historic naval ship of its ferent ending, one without Fall kind; the USS Alabama; the RiverF in it. Joseph P. Kennedy and The historic journey, others. Morss said after launched more than 50 Boston, the next idea years ago, to bring the for a landing spot for USS Massachusetts to Fall River was a long and winding one. Former USS Massachusetts Memorial Committee President Joseph Feitelberg, now 80, recalls that journey as vividly today as if he had just lived it. Sent into action in November 1942, the USS Massachusetts, built in the Fore River Ship yard in Quincy, was deactivated four years later. It ended up languishing in the Portsmouth, Virginia, Naval Yard until the 1960s when the Navy decided to cut the vessel that had once bombed Iwo Jima and Okinawa into scrap metal. But a group of former crew members — led by Edward Palmer, who originally served as the yeoman to the chaplain on the ship — refused to let that happen. They would find a home for it, come hell or high water. The year that journey began was 1962. Feitelberg, who would not get intimately involved in this quest for another two years, said the first thought of a destination for the USS Massachusetts was Boston Harbor, one of the two deep-water seaports in the state besides Fall River. While the Boston Redevelopment Authority thought highly of the idea, the Massachusetts Port Authority did not, Feitelberg

10 B A T T L E S H I P C O V E : 50 YEARS “Big Mamie” — the name given munity. Harrington, who was the last arrival, the USS Joseph the ship by its crew members “The 50 years that counsel for the fisherman’s P. Kennedy — all except the — was to go to, of all places, have taken place union, ended up connecting Hiddensee. Newburyport, a totally unsuit- with Paul Hall, president of the It may be nearly 50 years since able location with high tension can be added on to Seafarers International Union, that first extraordinary journey wires around the Merrimack to seek out support for the USS took place, but Feitelberg River and a shallow channel to and the waterfront Massachusetts coming to Fall points to the 6 million tourists boot, according to Morss. River. It was that eventual sup- and counting who have visited “The brain trust thought it work can make port that proved to be the critical Battleship Cove and the impor- would have made a good loca- component needed for its overall tance it brought to a city that tion,” said Morss, 80, with the the site that much approval. needed the boost. Feitelberg said dismissiveness still clear in his more accessible. Feitelberg said once the Fall the work to raise the money and voice. “God knows what they River move was heralded by Hall get the USS Massachusetts to Fall were thinking; the answer was, I strongly believe — who is considered one of the River was done by a group of they weren’t.” most effective labor leaders of 12 volunteer Board of Directors Providence was also men- in the future of the 20th century — the Navy who simply wouldn’t take no for tioned as a temporary location had little left to do but tell the an answer and just figured out for the USS Massachusetts Battleship Cove.” fledgling group from Fall River ways to make it happen. but it said no because it had that they had themselves a deal. Morss, who spends most a very active port. It was that — Joseph Feitelberg But it wasn’t over yet. Though of his time in Florida, recently Providence enquiry that first led the state pier location was an dropped off his wife at a Fall to the suggestion that maybe Fall admittedly temporary site, the River restaurant and, though River could be a viable resting dren around the city encour- Fall River group needed to for- he fought some traffic to the spot for the Massachusetts. aging all to bring in pocket mulate a plan to construct per- tune of 22 minutes to get there, By July 1964, USS change each day to school. manent cells at the site — cells drove down to Battleship Cove Massachusetts former crew Businesses were also asked that are still intact today at and simply parked in the lot, members and the newly to chip in to make the USS Battleship Cove — that would watching. Asked how he felt the formed Memorial Committee Massachusetts’ relocation to Fall cost an additional $300,000, next 50 years would play out approached Fall River, by way River possible. something the state would even- for the Cove, Morss said he has of a call from Edward Palmer Feitelberg said besides Ed tually step to the plate to help concerns for the cost and upkeep to Fall River Mayor Roland G. Palmer, who kept the dream of with. of these aging vessels. With a Desmarais. Palmer was told to locating the USS Massachusetts The USS Massachusetts 1998 repair costing $8.5 million talk to Bill Torpey, manager of in-state alive for nearly two arrived in Fall River on June 12, and the next one to cost upward the State Pier and an eventual decades, two critical Fall River 1965. Feitelberg, who fought so of $25 million to $35 million, member of Memorial’s Board of people emerged in banker John hard for the vessel, had never Morss said with few tourism Directors. S. Brayton, first vice president laid eyes on her until that day. dollars going to southeastern Despite seeming like a last of the BMC Durfee Trust, and “When I saw it come under Massachusetts, he worries there resort, Fall River — known attorney Patrick Harrington, the Mount Hope Bridge, it will come a day when the money for its manufacturing — had who became general counsel was just glorious. A beautiful it will take to keep these vessels a lot going for it, according to for the Memorial Committee June Saturday afternoon,” said afloat will become too much. Feitelberg, including its deep in May 1965. Feitelberg himself Feitelberg. “But when the ship And what a sad day that would water port. But the question was, would become president of the came under the Braga Bridge, be, he said, but salt water takes where would it be moored if the Memorial Committee that same the wooden decking had deterio- its toll, no matter the cost, and USS Massachusetts made it there month. rated so much; it was shocking. there’s no stopping it. at all? Brayton, now treasurer of The governor (John Volpe) was “At some point, all hell is While initially planned for the the Memorial Committee and shocked too. He turned to me going to break lose and these south side of Fall River’s State $25,000 short of its goal by June and asked ‘What if this doesn’t ships are going to be coming Pier, commuter traffic helped nix 1965, suggested that 10 mem- work out?’ I said, ‘Governor, if it apart simultaneously,” said that, forcing it to be planned for bers of the Memorial’s Board of all doesn’t work out, you prob- Morss. the north side, where the Navy Directors sign notes for $2,500 ably will own this.’” Despite the proud journey had tied up a US Navy destroyer each to help bridge the gap to But Feitelberg never believed they all took some 50 plus years tender — an auxiliary ship that make it to $100,000. Feitelberg, that for a moment, later telling ago, Feitelberg said he shares serviced destroyers — in the with his fifth child on the way Volpe that he believed the group some of Morss’ concerns but 1950s. and a budding insurance busi- he was working with wouldn’t feels this story has a few more In August 1964, the Navy, ness, would take his group, ini- put the state in an embarrassing chapters left to be written. growing restless with the USS tially made up of Bill Torpey and situation. “I am a hopeful person by Massachusetts taking up so Ed Palmer, to Washington to “And they never did,” said nature, and the Battleship has much space, set a deadline of plead their case and convince the Feitelberg. as capable an executive director June 30, 1965, for Fall River Navy that Fall River was serious The memorial was dedicated as it has ever had in Brad to figure out all the logistics of about bringing the aging battle- on Aug. 8, 1965. King,” said Feitelberg. “Under moving the ship, raising the ship to its city. Feitelberg’s term on the his leadership and marine $100,000 and demonstrating that Palmer, Torpey, Feitelberg USS Massachusetts Memorial museum experience, the 50 permanent mooring cells would and Harrington would be there Committee would last from May years that have taken place can be built for the ship somewhere for the next meeting a few 1965 to November 1975. He be added on to, and the water- on the site — enormous tasks for weeks later with the Navy and oversaw several other Battleship front work can make the site just 10 months’ time. the legislative contingent that Cove exhibits coming to Fall that much more accessible. I Fundraising initiatives began would change the course of River, including the two PT strongly believe in the future of in earnest with the schoolchil- history of this waterfront com- Boats, the USS Lionfish and Battleship Cove.”

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 11 YOUNGEST HELPERS RAISE BIGGEST FUNDS GREG SULLIVAN STAFF REPORTER HERALD NEWS SMALL hile the U.S. Navy was kind enough to pull the Battleship off Massachusetts , the scrap heap Wit wasn’t about to pick up the RECRUITS tab for towing Big Mamie from Virginia to Fall River. Money was needed, and the public school children of the Bay State stepped up. They were asked to bring, change — pennies, — tonickels school dimes, quarters s where the jingling dough wa collected. The year was nick-1964, and the Bay State their kids way to eled and dimed more than $50,000 to help War II bring the state’s World Memorial to Battleship Cove. Greater Fall River baby boomers still fondly recallool the mostly public sch fundraising drive of five decades ago.

FILE PHOTOS COURTESY AND viting kids to A sign in etts “Join the ‘Massachus Navy’” recruited young people to help in the the USS effort to bring to Fall Massachusetts River.

12 B A T T L E S H I P C O V E : 50 YEARS ed Bryant said no one expect Glen Maclaughlin, the state total to reach that total 60, of Tiverton, owner of of $53,000. ne Street Sakonnet Auto Service Inc. The Maurers of Ju er con- in that town, was a fourth- in Fall River were anoth grader at the Highland tributing family. Mona Maurer- School in Fall River who Isaacson, now 58, donatedd St. eagerly jumped aboard the indirectly. She attende “Join the Massachusetts Joseph’s, a Catholic elementary Navy” fundraising cam- school which did ungernot collect sister, for paign. the drive. Her yo “I was enamored Robin, was attendingpublic kinder- school with the battleship,” saidlate garten at Westall,. a Maclaughlin, son of the on Maple Street sent pen- Dr. John Maclaughlin, the MACLAUGHLIN “Both Robin and I d we well-known pediatric dentist nies to school with her an MAURER-ISAACSON both got passes to visit twice,”ent. in Fall River. “Every 8-school and iversary 9-year-old boy in the this As part of the 50th ann said Mona, a Fall River resid couldn’t wait to get on val in Fall River, “Mine was never used. At the time of Big Mamie’s arri issue new thing.” ws John it was exciting to both of us. Later front page picture, long on display Battleship Cove plans to hip) was finallyk us For a few months, no loose on the battleship itself, shot in line to when (the battles change Maclaughlin came Massachusetts Navy Cards, said brought to Fall River, Dad too and Glen Maclaughlin firs Emily Bryant, the Cove’s curator of re in the South End to across found its way intolocal piggy variety buy tickets. ing cam- somewhe banks, or even to the education and volunteers. Fall River watch it arrive. As part of the fundrais summer school students can earn store’s penny candy cash into register. the vy rank ucing Battleship “I just held on to my pass as a paign, students were given a card the cards by prod rk or essays. all these years.” The coins were tucked Highland with a Massachusetts Na souvenir hlin) Heap of to the Battleship Cove related art wo tudents of a Bonnie (Maclaug older fold-out coin holder at and free admission The Massachusetts s aughlin’s School. ip in Massachusetts: 25 cents made you a Fall River, Glen Macl nt in 1964. “I wanted to get on the sh half-century ago raised $53,186. sister, was a Durfee stude d. second class petty; 50 officer cents withearned two a Boston students led the way with the worst way,” he sai ultimately free admissions While the fundraiserntary age was kids a bigger than to Maclaughlin said he $4,798. Fall River camed place.through New deal to eleme first place petty officer status and with $2,966 for secon had the distinction of being the first four admissions; $1 made you a the high schoolers, the older kids Bedford raised $2,664, Brockton still contributed. “I remember we visitor to climb aboard d,Big he Mamie. said, chief petty officer with eight free $2,600. The husband of a frien collected nickels,” she said. ie admissions. tipped off the MaclaughlinsHerald about News a One year after Big Mamlins “surprise opening.” A arrived, the Maclaugh cemented their place in Fall River’s 1960s historythe when openin g Bonnie was partfor the of newly com- ceremonies a major- pleted Braga Bridge. As ette, she walked in front of the Durfee High marchingss because band. “I was the firstad acromajorette,” she I was the he said.

saacson donated Mona Maurer-I rough her sister, to the cause th , a Robin, who attendedMaple Westall Street. public school on ed passes to Both girls receiv visit the Marine Museum twice.

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 13 THE YEARS NEXT AHEAD A WORD50 FROM THE DIRECTOR OF BATTLESHIP COVE

BRAD KING A great celebration all year long BATTLESHIP COVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Now, 50 for Big Mamie and her sisters here at the Cove culminates in a moving years ago incredible years ceremony on Aug. 14 at the end of seems and 6.5 million a week-long series of events. The just like Kennedy needs dry docking, and yesterday visitors later, we hope to have this underway in — Lyndon the spring of 2016. Our dock is Johnson is [Big Mamie] is being rebuilt this fall which will sworn in as include new utility infrastructure as President, the centerpiece well. Our ideas for a new museum some kid called Bob Dylan releases of the largest building and a plan to reenergize an LP (remember those?) and Joan our exhibits are being developed and 50Rivers bursts onto our TV screens in we hope that our fundraising efforts collection of her debut performance. During this will allow us to get this underway as time The USS Joseph P Kennedy Jr. preserved US well. is also playing its part in the Atlantic So what’s in store for the next with the Gemini recovery program, Navy ships in 50 years? Our exceptional staff and and a huge gray reminder of the volunteers are working hard on the finest hour in the history of the USA KING the world. 50th commemoration with help slips up Narragansett Bay towards from members of the city, press, her berth in her new home town of veterans groups and more on a great Fall River. bring the ship to Fall River. Citizens rode her up the river that day, year of programs and events that not Big Mamie, the pride of the Bay paid nickels and dimes through closing their eyes as the ship’s mast only highlight the past, but give us a State, was swarmed by small boats, their school, bank, bar or VFW to just scraped under the Braga Bridge. glimpse at the museum’s future. klaxons and horns that summer day raise the $100,000 necessary to save The 20th anniversary of the Exciting times are ahead and in June 1965, as the river was lined the ship from the scrapyard and end of the Second World War saw we ask you for your help. You, our with well-wishers of all ages, all were given a special card denoting the battleship open to the public friends, have a vital role to play in straining for a glimpse of their ship their rank in the special forces. The in a blaze of publicity on Aug. 14, helping with the campaign and com- — the USS Massachusetts. schoolchildren of Massachusetts 1965. Now, 50 incredible years and memoration. For now if you gave Many of those on the river alone raised half the sum needed 6.5 million visitors later, she is the a quarter or a dime in 1965 to help bank were members of the elite — a truly amazing feat! centerpiece of the largest collection bring Big Mamie to Fall River, con- “Massachusetts Navy,” a program Some of her original crew, heavily of preserved US Navy ships in the sider making that a larger gift to set developed to raise funds to the involved in the campaign, proudly world. us up for the next 50 years.

14 B A T T L E S H I P C O V E : 50 YEARS STEP BACKIN TIME COURTESY PHOTOS MARC MUNROE DION read, and the story said 3,000 people stories about race riots in Chicago, Green Stamps, HERALD NEWS STAFF REPORTER visited the USS Massachusetts the Springfield, and Los Angeles. above; the weekend before. On Aug. 14, the ad was for The Vietnam War, aybe all you need to Mason’s Furniture was selling a Columbus Cafe. “Pizza best in town,” right; and The remember 1965 is to three-piece bedroom set for $279. it said. Beatles, below, know that “HELP!” There was a drought in the area. Or, if you wanted to jack the offer a glimpse was playing at the On Aug. 4, The Herald News night’s entertainment up a bit, you of what life was Ponta Delgada Drive- reported that the International Ladies could hit the Jolly Roger on Route 138 like in 1965, the In. It starred The Beatles, still new and Garment Workers Union gave nine in Tiverton. year the USS M controversial art the time. scholarships to deserving students. “Zorreena, oriental delight,” The Massachusetts Or maybe all you need to know is Margaret Goulet, 305 Fifth St., got Jolly Roger’s ad said. “Dancing right was brought to that you could rent an apartment at $250. out of the Arabian Nights.” Fall River. 588 Locust St., four rooms, for $10 a The city was waiting for $25,449 On Aug. 17, the paper reminded week. from the state. The money would go you of the upcoming “Kiddies Day at The Vietnam War was heating up. to “study and recommend programs North Park,” which was a bigger deal In the Aug. 2 edition of The Herald designed to overcome poverty in the than you might think. News, the headlines write about B52 Fall River area.” Kiddies Day featured a roller bombers dropping bombs on Saigon. On Aug. 10, The Herald News skating act, juggling unicyclists, a ball “Mamie Proving Crowd Pleaser,” announced a big change for some city balancing act and a high diver who the headline residents. “brought his own water with him.” “Public housing The paper said the diver was due to tenants are show up with 6,000 gallons of his own getting street water. numbers,” The Herald News reported that the the story Trans-American Mills, 18 Martine read. St., had been raided by cops for being On Aug. open on Sunday, in violation of the 14, the paper Blue Laws. Owner Charles Weinstein ran big pic- said he observed his sabbath on tures of the Saturday and closed the plant on that Massachusetts’ day. The court took it under advise- dedication as a ment. war memorial. On Aug. 25, cemetery workers at “Thousands St. Patrick’s and Notre Dame were Attend on strike. Management had hired one Dedication of non-union worker. Mamie as War Four hundred people showed up Memorial,” the for the GOP barbecue in Tiverton. headline read. Allen’s Cut Rate, a store at 135 S. On the same Main St., was offering double Green front page were Stamps every Wednesday.

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 15 WHAT’S AT THE COVE

she was ordered to be sold for BIG scrap, but her wartime crew, a dedication Memorial Committee MAMIE and the held of thousands of of 1 Massachusetts schoolchildren, The Battleship Massachusetts, Mamie was brought to Fall River or “Big Mamie” as her crew knew in June 1965. She was opened her, went into action on November to the public two months later. 8, 1942 as part of Operation Torch, Now the centerpiece of the col- the invasion of North Africa. After lection at Battleship Cove and a refit in Boston, the ship went one of the five National Historic through the Panama Canal in Landmark ships here, “Big February 1943 to join the action Mamie” stands ready to welcome in the Pacific, where she would visitors from around the nation remain for the remainder of her 3 and across the world as she has for 1/2 years of active service. In 1962, nearly a half century.

assisting with the first Mercury USS space flights and participated in the naval blockade of Cuba during JOSEPH P. the Cuban Missile Crisis. She was 2 stricken from the Naval Register KENNEDY, JR. of Ships in 1973 and acquired by Battleship Cove in 1974. In DD850 Spring 2000, Kennedy was towed Destroyer USS Joseph P. to Rhode Island Sound to por- Kennedy, Jr., known by her tray herself and her sister ship crew as the “Joey P.,” was laid USS John R. Pierce (DD753) in down April 2, 1945, by the the Kevin Costner film entitled Bethlehem Steel Company “Thirteen Days,” which recreated at the Fore River Shipyard the events surrounding the Cuban in Quincy. Launched on July Missile Crisis. 26, 1945, and commissioned A National Historic Landmark, on Dec. 15, 1945, she was USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. is completed in only 8 months. home to the Admiral Arleigh After the war, the Kennedy Burke National Destroyermen’s spent many years performing Museum and serves as the official countless duties and conducting memorial to Bay State citizens training exercises. In fact, she who gave their lives during the operated in the Caribbean, Korean and Vietnam Wars.

HERALD NEWS PHOTOS | DAVE SOUZA

16 B A T T L E S H I P C O V E : 50 YEARS USS LIONFISH THE PEARL 3SS298 6HARBOR A Balao-class submarine, USS Lionfish was laid down on 15 EXPERIENCE December 1942, launched on 7 The attack on Pearl Harbor November 1943, and commis- comes to life with state-of-the- sioned on 1 November 1944. Her art special effects, archive film first captain was Lt. Cdr. Edward and surround-sound. The only D. Spruance, son of the famous outdoor re-enactment of Pearl World War II admiral, Raymond Harbor anywhere, it utilizes Spruance. In 1973, she was unveiled multi-media, 4-D sound and for permanent display as a memo- special water effects. The show rial at Battleship Cove, where she has runs seasonally, May through evolved into one of the museum’s September (September is week- most popular exhibits and a revered ends only) and shows on the hour, monument to all submariners. every hour between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.. It is included with general PT admission. 4 BOATS WOMEN At the end of World War II, the expense of returning PT boats to the 7 PROTECTING United States from overseas was considered prohibitive, so most boats US were stripped of useful materials ”Women Protecting US” high- and burned. Despite the paucity of lights the contributions made by remaining boats, and the dwindling women to our nation’s defense number of surviving PT veterans, from the American Revolution these legendary vessels continue to to the present with themed captivate the imagination of history displays that feature women’s enthusiasts worldwide. The same military reserve units, nursing, type of vessel piloted by President and clandestine operations. A John Kennedy, PT 617 was towed not-to-be-missed three-dimen- to Battleship Cove in 1986 and sional “Rosie the Riveter/Winnie placed on display with PT 796. the Welder” display focuses on Collectively, these two vessels and women’s roles on the Home Front the National PT Museum on board during World War II. Battleship Massachusetts represent the world’s largest collection of PT artifacts and memorabilia.Both PT MODEL 617 and PT 796 are National Historic Landmarks. EXHIBIT As home to the National PT Boat 8 Supported by a prominent Museum, Battleship Cove displays the local modelers’ club, the Model world’s largest collection of PT boat Exhibit displays painstakingly- artifacts and memorabilia. crafted military miniatures, dioramas, planes, ships, and vehicles in a constantly rotating THE selection of over 600 objects in various scales and representing sev- 5HIDDENSEE eral nations. Originally commissioned by the East German People’s Navy (the Volksmarine) as the Rudolf Eglehofer, the Hiddensee is a Tarantul I class corvette built at the Petrovsky Shipyard, St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), Russia. The only exhibited example of a Soviet- built missile corvette in the U.S., Hiddensee joined the Battleship Cove fleet on June 14, 1997.

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 17 September 23, 1941 August The ship was launched. IN 2011 Battleship Cove opens its THE Pearl Harbor Spring Experience exhibit. 2000 Saturday, HISTORY The USS Joseph 1952 P. Kennedy Jr. September The ship was put was towed to 11, 2004 in dry-dock for Rhode Island rehabilitation. June 12, 1965 Sound to portray At Battleship Cove, a somber She was in moth- The USS Massachusetts herself and her ceremony and balls from 1958 was brought to the Fall sister ship USS groundbreaking until she found River waterfront, after John R. Pierce 1947 was held at a home in Fall being cheered by over (DD753) in the The ship was the site where River. half a million people Kevin Costner decommissioned. MAKING film entitled an official standing along the state memorial shores of Narragansett “Thirteen Days,” A TIMELINE OF will bear the May 12, 1942 Bay and the Taunton which recreated names of the 93 River during the journey. the events sur- The ship was rounding the Massachusetts commissioned. Cuban Missile residents killed BATTLESHIP COVE Crisis. that day.

1973 August 1991 June 14, May 2001 December 2014 The Kennedy was 1975 The Fall River 1997 “Women Protecting Battleship Cove, under Executive deactivated and community rallied US” exhibit opens, to Director Brad King, and the brought to Fall River. PT 796 together to raise The increase awareness Marine Museum, under Board In 1962, the U.S. Navy arrives at funds to bring Hiddensee of contributions made of Directors Chairman the Rev. destroyer, USS Joseph Battleship Carousel No. 54, joined the by service women. Robert Lawrence, sign a formal P. Kennedy Jr. was Cove. from Lincoln Park, Battleship agreement of combination. July 1964 August 14, part of the task force to Battleship Cove. Cove fleet. 1972 assigned to blockade The Taunton River was 1965 Cuba. On Oct. 26, empty, a year before Girl and Boy The ship was commemo- Scout troops at the height of the the arrival of of the USS rated in a ceremony that Cuban Missile Crisis, Massachusetts. began camping also declared the site overnight on a boarding party con- the official World War II Battleship sisting of three offi- memorial for the state. Massachusetts cers and a radioman or Destroyer from the Kennedy, Kennedy and along with the execu- have every year tive officer from the since. USS Pierce, boarded the SS Marucla, a September Lebanese freighter 1985 under a Panamanian PT 617 flag, manned by dedication Greeks and chartered and James by the Italians to Newberry the Russians. This memorial. was the only ship boarded during the confrontation, since all other Soviet ships transporting missiles to Cuba reversed course.

1973 The USS Lionfish submarine joins Battleship Cove.

18 B A T T L E S H I P C O V E : 50 YEARS BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 19 WHAT’S INTO THE UP NEXT FOR THE FUTURE COVE MICHAEL HOLTZMAN officers and crews. during their milestone celebra- 1968 and is now home to the HERALD NEWS STAFF REPORTER The World War II fathers tion in August it will also be five national historic land- — who in large numbers would “the 70th and last reunion” of marks. hen the bring their young children to the USS Massachusetts crew King, a career naval museum decommis- see the battleship dubbed “Big that’s gathered in comradeship director in England before sioned USS Mamie” — are mostly dead since 1945. taking the reins at Battleship Massachusetts with their youngsters long Battleship Cove became Cove five years ago, said the came up from grown up. the world’s largest collection indoor PT Boats exhibits are VirginiaW to Fall River and was “And the grandfathers of historic naval ships with a prime example of what was put on permanent public dis- are not bringing their the USS destroyer USS Joseph designed “for veterans to enjoy play 50 years grandchildren much,” Kennedy Jr., the WWII combat and tell their story.” ago at what Brad King, Battleship submarine the USS Lionfish “That has to be completely HERALD NEWS PHOTO became Cove executive and a pair of WWII Patrol redesigned. They may not be BY JACK FOLEY Battleship Cove Executive Battleship director, said during Torpedo Boats PT 617 the audience, but it’s their Director Brad King, left, Cove, the an interview in his and 796 also on museum story we have to tell,” he looks over plans for stories of deck quarters. display. said, “as it moves out of the Cove’s 50th anni- the ship’s “The World War It’s been the state’s living memory.” versary with Director of World War II generation WWII memorial since King said, “There’s a real- Communications & Visitor II exploits is fading ization we have to change Experience Cristoff Shay, got told fast,” King the dynamic of how we do in front of the destroyer directly by said, while things because the audience Joseph P. Kennedy. proud naval noting that has changed as well.”

20 B A T T L E S H I P C O V E : 50 YEARS This rendering shows the proposed future Battleship Cove museum. COURTESY OF BATTLESHIP COVE Three years ago, a dozen Sawejko said of Verner Johnson, About a year ago, King said in King gave an example of the need Battleship members went on a day’s “was is this something that’s doable preparation for this campaign, the to adjust their museum and why it retreat to begin a long-term, stra- — and not a pipe dream?” Battleship memorial received a chal- could be done successfully. tegic fundraising plan to modernize The answer he and the Battleship lenge grant from an anonymous This may be the first generation of a museum of national importance. board heard was that because of the donor that resulted in about $350,000 Americans born to families without Their feasibility study led to collection of naval war ships, its his- from the grant and another $150,000 World War II experience, he said. He a master plan with the hiring of tory and importance to the country in private donations. used as the example immigrants from Verner Johnson Inc., the Boston and men and women in military With some of those funds they Portugal, a country that was neutral architectural firm that exclusively service, they could raise ample funds hired a director communications and during the war. “However, the Azores plans and designs museums. to build and sustain a new museum visitor experience, Cristoff Shay, to played a pivotal role in World War Those plans led to the concep- if they could establish a national begin addressing “a number of issues II,” he said. tual design next to the naval vessels foundation. to move Battleship Cove forward,” That’s because the then-Salazar of a two-story, 32,000 square-foot It will be called the America’s Fleet King said. government allowed American and museum, some of which will be Foundation with the prospect “Fall They also hired an experienced British subs and U-boats to use on display during the Aug. 10-16 River will get a museum of national development director, Paul Oricchio, Terceira island to refuel and cover half-century celebration week at importance,” King said. with 35 years of experience, to lead a critical naval gap in the southern Battleship Cove. By creating a national foundation, the fundraising. Atlantic with Iceland a naval base in The architect’s conceptual inte- they would seek private and institu- Their strategic plan was aimed at the north, King said. rior drawings show an iconic Huey tional donations, King said. It will be addressing “what we wanted to do He said that story is relevant to helicopter deployed during Vietnam an 18-month fundraising campaign. and why we wanted to do it?” those Americans, and needs to be combat and a viewing platform by About $1 million of the museum It’s meant planning to modernize told. converting the bow of the USS Fall funds would be used to modernize “the way we tell the story” by devel- “It’s all dependent upon fund- River. It was sold as scrap in 1972 but exhibits, signage and adding new oping several tour routes around the raising,” King said. “We must gal- salvaged and has been displayed out- story-telling approaches on the ship ships in a more structured way, King vanize the commonwealth and the side the Battleship museum entrance. tours, he said. said. region.” The architects estimated fund- While tourism has been depressed That will mean showing how the Seeming to link Sewejko’s key raising costs for a newly planned since 2008, Battleship Cove attracts ships were run and commanded, question, King, a native of England museum is about $32 million. When about 80,000 visitors a year. “We how the sailors lived, and creating who directed the HMS Belfast into major repairs to the Kennedy’s hope to be getting back to 120,000 touch-screen interactive displays and becoming a world-class museum, hull and to the piers holding the visitors and could justify that with a new trail tour designed for children said, “Raising $30 million for a destroyer and battleship the fund- new programs and a new museum to relate to, among other modern museum is not unheard of … It’s a raising will be for upward of $50 building,” King said. changes. good project that people can believe million, King said. After it’s built, they project 125,000 Their curators would provide in and there’s no reason it can’t be Battleship officials like King and visitors and to increase tourism by 5 information for new signage and story done.” Board of Directors President Carl percent annually, he said. telling to trained museum experts. It “Now that the World War II Sawejko have begun the “silent He emphasized the new alliance cre- would begin with the Massachusetts, vets are largely no longer with us,” phase” of what will be a massive ated with the Marine Museum exhibits probably followed by replicating Sawejko said, “we have to be able fundraising campaign, they said. on Water Street will also be a “an the tour model on the Kennedy, to tell their story in a 21st century “My biggest question of them,” essential part of our future plans.” according to King. fashion.”

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 21 GO EXPLORE ATTRACTIONS BEYOND THE COVE

OLD COLONY AND GREATER FALL RIVER ART CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF instruments and much more. Visit www. FALL RIVER RAILROAD MUSEUM ASSOCIATION GREATER FALL RIVER lafayettedurfeehouse.org. Admission is free 2 Water St., Fall River 80 Belmont St. Fall River 441 North Main St., Fall River but a $3 donation would be greatly appre- ciated. For further information or directions The museum is dedicated to the preserva- The GFRAA is open free to the public. It is Housed in the old Superior Court building, contact via e-mail at lafayettedurfee@ tion of railroading in Fall River and New located in a 100-year-old Victorian home the museum houses exhibits on music yahoo.com or call 508-813-8230. England. For more information, call 508- in the Historic Highlands section of Fall and movement, Legos, trains, science and 674-9340 or visit www.ocandfrrailroadmu- River. Besides hosting several art exhibits discovery, and arts and crafts and features seum.com. each year, the GFRAA also provides space a water room and Violet’s Room — based FORT BARTON Highland Road, Tiverton for art classes, special events and local art- upon “Violet’s Music” by Angela Johnson MARINE MUSEUM ists. Admission is free (donations appreci- — with lifelike drawings by Bristol The fort was the staging area for the inva- 70 Water St., Fall River ated). Visit www.greaterfallriverartassoc. Community College students. Call 508- sion of Aquidneck Island, which led to the org for details. 672-0033 or visit www.cmgfr.org. Battle of Rhode Island. The site has three Maritime history comes alive through miles of nature trail walks, including a wild photographs, paintings, prints, detailed plant trail, and an observation tower. Call models and period artifacts. The museum FALL RIVER HISTORICAL THE LAFAYETTE DURFEE HOUSE 94 Cherry St., Fall River 401-625-6700. features exhibits on the Fall River Line, SOCIETY RMS Titanic, SS Andrea Doria, HMS 451 Rock St., Fall River The house is open for tours on Wednesdays through Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. This is CAROUSEL AT BATTLESHIP COVE Bounty, Massachusetts Colonial Navy and The historical society features the world’s 1 Central St., Fall River more. For more information, visit marine- largest collection of Lizzie Borden memo- the home of Col. Joseph Durfee who led museumfr.org. rabilia, city memorabilia, Victorian furnish- the Fall River militia during the War for This is a fully restored 1920 Philadelphia ings, art and more. Hours are 9 a.m. to Independence and was frequently visited Toboggan Co. Carousel No. 54 and boasts 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday early by the Marquis de Lafayette during this 48 hand-painted, hand-carved horses and May through early November. For more time period. Displays will include clothing, two chariots. information, call 508-679-1071 or visit furniture, weaponry medical and surgical www.lizzieborden.org. ROTCH-JONES-DUFF HOUSE AND major player during yachting’s heyday, built eight GARDEN MUSEUM America’s Cup defenders from 1893 to 1934, as 936 County St., New Bedford well as America’s first torpedo. Call 401-253-5000. A 28-room Greek Revival mansion built for COLT STATE PARK whaling merchant William Rotch Jr. in 1834, the Route 114, Bristol, R.I. property chronicles 150 years of economic, social and domestic life in New Bedford. The grounds This 464-acre state park on the shore of encompass a full city block of gardens including a Narragansett Bay features four miles of hiking Wildflower Walk, a formal boxwood rose parterre and biking trails, gardens, 10 playing fields, and garden, a cutting garden, a boxwood specimen six picnic groves. Fishing, concerts, and naturalist garden and an historic wood lattice pergola. Call programs offered in season. Open year-round. 508-997-1401. Call 401-253-7482.

AUDUBON SOCIETY OF RHODE LINDEN PLACE ISLAND ENVIRONMENTAL 500 Hope St. (Route 114), Bristol, R.I. EDUCATION CENTER Linden Place includes a mansion, a ballroom 1401 Hope St. (Route 114), Bristol, R.I. building built in 1906, a barn built in the 19th The center is a state-of-the art natural history century and an 18th century summer house. The museum and aquarium that puts fun and excite- grounds include historic sculpture and gardens. ment into experiencing nature. Look inside a 33- Call 401-253-0390. foot life-size Right Whale. Discover life in a tide pool. Observe Narragansett Bay’s marine life. The FORT ADAMS STATE PARK Center’s interactive exhibits feature local habi- Ocean Drive, Newport, R.I. tats. Situated on the 28-acre McIntosh Wildlife An active military fort from 1799 to 1945, Fort Refuge the Environmental Education Center has Adams sits on more than 21 acres and held up to walking trails with a ¼-mile boardwalk that 2,400 troops. The original defenses still present winds through fresh and saltwater marshes include height walls, powder magazines, three leading to a majestic view of Narragansett tiers of guns and cannons, and listening tunnels. Bay. The refuge is along the East Bay Bike The park also includes a picnic area, beach, boat Path allowing bikers and walkers access to the launches, and fishing piers. Call 401-847-2400. refuge’s natural beauty. The Center offers guided tours, nature walks, special family programs and PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM much more throughout the year. The facility and 100 South St., Providence, R.I. trails are handicapped accessible. Call 401-245- 7500. Kids and grown-ups play and learn together through hands-on exhibits and programs for chil- BLITHEWOLD MANSION, dren ages 1 to 11 that explore the arts, culture, GARDENS & ARBORETUM history, and science. Exhibits are based on the 101 Ferry Road (Route 114), Bristol, R.I. developmental needs of children and embrace a wide range of learning styles. Call 401-273-5437. The 45-room mansion was built in 1908 as the summer home of coal magnate Augustus Van ROGER WILLIAMS PARK AND ZOO Wickle, features gardens and arboretum on 33 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, R.I. acres overlooking Narragansett Bay. Call 401- 253-2707. The park includes waterways, walks, outdoor gardens, a Carousel Village, Museum of Natural LIZZIE BORDEN BED AND BREAKFAST History and Cormack Planetarium, and the Roger 92 Second St., Fall River Williams Park Zoo. Children’s activities in the park include paddleboats, a carousel, miniature The B&B hosts guided tours daily. Learn about train ride, pony rides, and a jungle gym. The zoo the ax, the whacks and the facts. For more infor- is home to more than 1,500 animals of 150 spe- mation, call 508-675-7333 lizzie-borden.com. cies. Open year-round. Call 401-785-3510.

NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM EDAVILLE USA 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford 5 Pine St., Carver The museum houses the world’s most com- Edaville offers a variety of different children’s prehensive collection of whaling and maritime characters to entertain on weekends during the artifacts. Climb aboard the world’s largest ship summer months, along with musicians and other model, the 89-foot bark Lagoda, and view the types of entertainment. Call 508-866-8190. 66-foot skeleton of a rare blue whale. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 9 p.m. Thursdays in PLIMOTH PLANTATION the summer. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and 137 Warren Ave., Plymouth New Year’s Day. Call 508-997-0046. At this replica of a 17th century Wampanoag HERRESHOFF MARINE MUSEUM AND Indian homesite and Pilgrim village, costumed AMERICA’S CUP HALL OF FAME role players portray Indians and colonists going Burnside Street, Bristol, R.I. about their daily lives. Children and parents can watch and talk with Pilgrims and Native The museum offers a collection of 35 classic and Americans as they go about their “daily life” or power yachts from the “Golden Age of Yachting” practice traditional skills. Call 508-746-1622 or to today. The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., a visit www.plimoth.org.

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 23 A FINAL REUNION CREW TO MEET FOR THE LAST TIME LINDA MURPHY After the commissioning, the USS “I leave them with After the war, the USS HERALD NEWS LIFESTYLE EDITOR Massachusetts traveled to Casco Bay, Massachusetts crew started meeting Maine, where they lost a 26,000- great sadness; it’s yearly in Boston. When they learned he Navy crewmen pound anchor because the anchor that the battleship was going to be who served on the chain wasn’t bolted to the deck, been a long run.” scrapped, they started the campaign USS Massachusetts recalled Silveria. to turn Big Mamie into a museum. during World War II And it was never located, he said. — Bernie Silveria, USS Of all the port cities in Massachusetts formed a bond that The loss of the anchor so soon Massachusetts crew members that they contacted, Silveira said has lasted a lifetime. after it commissioned was hardly group president only Fall River’s mayor at the time, At the 50th anniversary celebra- a harbinger of bad luck for the Roland Desmarais, had the foresight tionT of Battleship Massachusetts battleship. In fact, the former crew to see the benefit of bringing the bat- coming to Fall River, the reunion members came to regard the USS 14, 1945, essentially ending the war, tleship to the city. “He deserves all group from the USS Massachusetts Massachusetts as the Navy’s luckiest Silveria said the USS Massachusetts the credit. Battleship Cove is now the will meet for a final time for ship, said Silveria, who started out crew was bombing a steel plant on largest Navy museum in the U.S.,” their 70th reunion, said Bernie on her as gunner’s apprentice. the Japanese island Honshu. said Silveria. Silveria, the president of the USS Big Mamie’s first battle was against “We had 35 engagements from And Big Mamie’s home became Massachusetts crew members group. the French Navy off the coast of Africa through the end of the war the meeting place for the yearly Fourteen of the crew members Casablanca in North Africa. At that with no deaths and no serious inju- reunions of the group that started met at last year’s reunion and at the point in the war, the French Navy ries,” he added. “She took us to war out at about 2,500. He has no idea time, Silveria was planning to make in North Africa had surrendered to and home again.” how many of the crew members will that the last gathering of the group, Hitler’s troops. They sank five ships, As for the nearly five years attend this final reunion, but as far as most are in their 90s now and including the Jean Bart, a French serving in WWII aboard the USS he’s been told, there’s been no other have difficulty traveling. But when battleship. The USS Massachusetts Massachusetts, Silveria said it stayed Navy crew that has met as often or as they heard about the celebration was hit a few times and was sent back with him for life. long as the USS Massachusetts crew. this year, they decided to mark two to the U.S. for repairs before shipping After the war, he started out as a “I leave them with great sadness; significant anniversaries: the 70th out again to the South Pacific in 1943. “grease monkey” at a DeSoto auto it’s been a long run,” he said of their reunion and the 50th anniversary of There, it engaged in the Solomon dealership and he retired as vice final reunion. the battleship arriving in Fall River. Islands and Philippines campaigns president of marketing and sales When the USS Massachusetts was and World War II’s largest battle, the for Fiat North America. “Having commissioned in Boston on May Battle of Leyte. no education, the Navy taught me 12, 1942, Silveria, a Lowell native, When the United States dropped to obey the law, discipline and to had just turned 16 a month before. the bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. respect authority.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO Last year, the USS Massachusetts crew members group met aboard the ship for their 69th reunion. This year, their 70th, will be their last.

24 B A T T L E S H I P C O V E : 50 YEARS CELEBRATE COVE HOSTS WEEKLONG SERIES OF ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

Sunday, Aug. 9 Monday, Aug. 10 STAGE DOOR CANTEEN STUDENT DAY: STUDENTS Kuss Middle School JOIN THE MASSACHUSETTS 7 p.m. NAVY! The kickoff fundraiser celebrating the 50th 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anniversary of the Battleship in Fall River. Highlighting music from the 1940s. There’s Students take over the battleship and become part dance as well as song and some moments of the Massachusetts Navy of 2015 — a throwback to tickle your funny bone. It’s a night you to the Massachusetts Navy of 1965, in which thou- will long remember! Produced by Al sands of schoolchildren donated quarters to help Deston and Kathy Castro. bring the USS Massachusetts to Fall River. After the Tickets are $30 which includes show ceremony, students and guests will be able to get and after-party. Call 508-678-1100 their very own airbrush sailor’s tattoo. If you are a Ext. 101, 102 to reserve your tickets. summer school or an organization that works with Profits will benefit AHA Fall River students, please contact our Director of Education at and Battleship Cove. (508) 678-1100 Ext. 110 for more information about this event. Public is welcome — sailor’s tattoos are included with general admission.

Sebastian Bombardier, 4, enjoys a visit to Battleship Cove. HERALD NEWS PHOTO | JACK FOLEY Tuesday, August 11 Wednesday, Aug. 12 the same household) receive free SALUTE TO AHA! NIGHT AT admission this day as Battleship Cove partners with the Mass Vets Music WOMEN BATTLESHIP COVE Festival to bring classic rock bands to Rosie the Riveter Look-a-Like 5 to 9 p.m. the deck of the battleship. It will be a Contest It will be a free evening of 1940s festive atmosphere all day, with food, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. fun at Fall River’s AHA! (Art, History music and information booths on vet- Battleship Cove dedicates this and Architecture) night at Battleship eran services and programs. General day to women in the service, as Cove, the Marine Museum at Fall admission for the public. Don’t miss well the women who served this River, Heritage State Park and the out on this opportunity to thank a vet- country in civilian work. Chat waterfront. The theme is the 1940s eran and enjoy some amazing music with living historians, home front, and activi- and great food and watch the guns former WAVES and ties include a vintage fire on the battleship! 508-678-1100 “Rosies,” watch a MORE INFO car show, swing dance Ext. 101 for more information. welding demo and For more infor- lessons, photo booth, listen to a keynote mation and a classic fashion and 1940S-STYLE presentation from an full schedule of hairstyles, and a special outstanding woman events, visit concert of the patriotic BOXING MATCH veteran. Dress in battleship musical showcase, Presented by the Flint your best overalls and cove.org. Bandstand Canteen. For Neighborhood Association polka-dot headband more details, keep an 6 to 8 p.m. eye on Fall River Aha!’s and enter the Rosie the Ticket required (tickets are free, but Riveter Look-a-Like contest. Those Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ AHAFallRiver. are limited in number, please call Eric who come in Rosie the Riveter cos- at 508-863-9733 or Amy at 508-558- tume will receive free admission. 3136 (Tickets will not be available at Children can bring a doll and make Thursday, Aug. 13 Battleship Cove). AHA! Fall River and it a Rosie or Red Cross Nurse outfit VETERAN the Flint Neighborhood Association in teh FUNshop — $5 in addition to are bringing boxing back to the battle- general admission. Also, the Herald APPRECIATION DAY ship. Boxing was a popular activity for News will have a special photo AND MASSVETS the sailors of the USS Massachusetts booth you can jump in and take during downtime in World War II, and your best Rosie picture, or try on one MUSICFEST Museum open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; now, local boxers will step up to the of our sailor costumes. Fun for the challenge. The matches will be held music from noon to 4 p.m. whole family! Country 102.5 will be in their historic location, on top of the on hand for an onsite broadcast and Veterans and their immediate fami- ‘mushroom vent’ on the deck of the Chevy will be on hand with new cars. lies (parents and children living in battleship. Call today! Friday, Aug. 14 OFFICIAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY Saturday, Aug. 15 NATURALIZATION CEREMONY USS MASSACHUSETTS’ CEREMONY 2 p.m. FORMER CREWMEMBERS 10 a.m. On the day that Battleship Cove opened as a museum 50 years ago, 70TH REUNION CEREMONY Every year, Battleship Cove hosts a we will celebrate and honor those who had the vision and drive to 1 p.m. naturalization ceremony where men bring the ship to Fall River in the first place. Entrance to the cer- The USS Massachusetts has the longest- and women are joyously granted emony on the battleship is by invitation only; the public is welcome meeting crewmembers reunion group of any United States citizenship. This to view the ceremony from a satellite location on the Battleship Navy ship. This year, these veterans celebrate year, 75 new citizens will be Cove pier. Spirit of America will be performing the national anthem their 70th and final reunion with a ceremony welcomed to our country. and other inspirational music. Spirit of America is a 45-piece Fife and 21-gun salute. Open to the public. Ceremony is open to and Drum Corps playing traditional music on wooden, key-less fifes the public. For more and rope-tension drums. The corps uniform is an exact replica of the information call musicians´ uniforms from the First U.S. Infantry Regiment in the War 508-678-1100 of 1812. Ext. 101.

Sunday, Aug. 16 Sunday, Aug. 16 LIVING MEMORIALS 50TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE 3 p.m. noon After the parade, stick around the water- Line the streets and marvel as the city of Fall River puts on a spe- front to see famous war memorials staged cial patriotic parade to celebrate the battleship’s arrival 50 years by live people. Aha! Fall River partners with ago, as well as mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Veteran’s Inc. to present several “living” II. Military groups, local organizations, musicians, dancers, and memorials to remember the wars past and floats will make their way from Kennedy Park down South Main St, honor our veterans. After the parade, Aha! turning on Central St. and ending down on Water St. at Battleship Fall River will also have additional activi- Cove. The former crew members of the USS Massachusetts and ties and entertainment for kids and families, WWII Veterans will act as the Grand Marshals of the parade! including bands in Heritage State Park. UNDER THE RUST KEVIN P. O’CONNOR FOR SOME HERALD NEWS STAFF verywhere you look, there is work to do on the REPAIRS, Battleship Massachusetts. Rust forms a line A TRIP TO where the decking Emeets the hull, waiting to be sanded and painted. Some of the wood BOSTON planks on the deck have split, waiting to be sanded and sealed. The sun blasts down and the wind The Battleship in 1965, only once since then. In late 1998 it whips against the gun barrels and Massachusetts financed was towed to Boston to be pulled up the superstructure, fading the ship is part of the in on dry-dock for repairs. from battleship gray to the color of Battleship Cove, part by This was not an easy job. The a dove. It is constantly being sanded which bills itself as money raised by ship is 680 feet long and 100 feet and painted. the largest collec- Massachusetts school- wide at its center. It rises 100 feet And that is just want you can see. tion of preserved children to bring the over the water. “It doesn’t end,” said Chris U.S. Navy ships in ship home. The ship was launched on Sept. Nardi, the curator at Battleship the world. The It left the Fall 23, 1941, and commissioned in May Cove. “On a steel boat, there is ship, known as River waterfront 1942. She participated in 35 battles always work to be done. Big Mamie, during World War II before being “But the most important thing arrived in decommissioned in 1947. is keeping the hull preserved. There Fall River was a hull renovation in 1999. So, as far as we know, the hull is OK.” “They told us, when we got her back in 1999, that everything should be good for another 50 years. We hope that is true.” — Chris Nardi, curator at Battleship Cove

HERALD NEWS ARCHIVE PHOTOS Spectators watch the USS Massachusetts being towed along the Taunton River.

The boat was put in dry-dock in “She was in much better condi- propellers were removed. Each was Massachusetts. 1952 for rehabilitation. She was in tion than they expected,” he said. 18 feet across and weighed 40,000 The six maintenance workers at mothballs from 1958 until she found “She was built with thicker plating pounds. Workers then applied the Battleship Cove are joined every a home in Fall River. that her sister ships were. She paint to the hull. The hull measures year by volunteers from the city The state Legislature appropri- was the first one built. That really 140,000 square feet — 3.5 acres. It schools, the Navy and several unions ated $10 million to fund the 1998 helped.” got four coats of paint. to do the constant maintenance the project, the bill pushed by then- With Big Mamie out of the water, The ship is back. She returned ship requires, Nardi said. Reps. Robert Correia, David Sullivan workers at Boston Ship Repair on March 13, 1999, with thou- Divers and cameras inspect the and Michael Rodrigues. welded steel plates to the hull up to sands lining the shore and the hull. Seeing the condition of the ship the water line and removed the “sea Braga Bridge to cheer. The paint, “They told us, when we got her in 1998 was a pleasant surprise, said chests” that were designed to take in the new steel and anti-corrosion back in 1999, that everything should Nardi, who stayed with the ship water to cool the ship engines while measures constantly deployed be good for another 50 years,” Nardi through the project. underway. Two of the ship’s four around the ship are protecting the said. “We hope that is true.” OLDFASHIONED

FIGHTMARC MUNROE DION HERALD NEWS STAFF REPORTER “Ladeez and gentlemen. Now entering the ring. The world champeen ...”

Ah, the nostalgia of boxing in Flint Neighborhood Association And there will be a lot of fights to “We have fighters from Taunton, the days before television and fights hosts an evening of amateur boxing watch. Brockton, New Bedford, a lot of in casinos, when every city boasted aboard the USS Massachusetts. In “We’re looking at having 10 places.” some kind of arena where fights fact, men and women are encour- fights,” Cesar said. “It’s definitely going to be a his- were held every week, every two aged to zoot up in their best 1940s A caution to those who might toric event,” Cesar said. weeks, at least once a month and look for the evening, including expect the show to last into the next “It’s like what they used to call the guys in fedoras perched on the flowery dresses, hair snoods, pencil day: Amateur bouts typically con- ‘smokers,’” Cesar said. “Because folding chairs, blowing smoke from thin mustaches and two tone shoes. sist of three, three-minute rounds, they had rings set up in bars and cigars until the air thickened to a Carlos Cesar, president of The rather than the 10 or 12 round fights there was so much smoke.” blue stew and bets were paid off Flint Neighborhood Association, typical of the pros. Cesar said the event will likely hand-to-hand. understands the lure of the left hook. “We work with BJKA School,” be free but that area of the deck can And the men in the crowd wore “We did boxing because they Cesar said, naming a boxing school only hold around 700 to 800 people, suits. want to bring it back to the 1940s,” at the bottom of Pocasset Street. so tickets will be needed and will be You can’t smoke but you can Cesar said. “When boxing was a big “We know we have fighters available at the Battleship in the days wear a suit on August 14, when the sport.” coming from all over,” Cesar said. before the event.

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 31 TRIVIA TIME HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR USS MASSACHUSETTS HISTORY?

Where did the decommissioned Where was Big battleship have to travel from Mamie towed in to reach its final destination of 1998 for repairs 1Fall River? 3 to its hull? a. Maryland c. Washington, D.C. a. Portsmouth, c. Boston N.H. b. Virginia d. New Orleans d. Hyannis b. Portsmouth, R.I.

In its first year here in The battleship took Fall River, how many part in 35 battles people visited the in World War II, 2 battleship? 4 including: a. 250 c. 25,000 a. Casablanca c. Iwo Jima b. 2,500 d. 250,000 b. Okinawa d. All of the above

32 B A T T L E S H I P C O V E : 50 YEARS The battleship has Big Mamie was many important considered a distinctions, including “lucky” ship 5 which of the following? 8 because: a. She received 11 battle stars for World War II a. Its anchor was larger service than any other battleship at the time b. The ship fired both the first Navy 16-inch shell of b. It was “christened” by World War II and the last Shirley Temple c. She is the centerpiece c. In 35 engagements, of the world’s largest there were no deaths collection of historic and no serious injuries naval ships d. All of the above d. All of the above

To bring the battleship to What is the Fall River in 1965, area number on the hull schoolchildren raised of the battleship 9 how much money? Massachusetts? 6 a. $10,000 d. Nothing. b. $50,000 The campaign a. 850 c. 59 was unsuc- b. 26 d. 259 c. $1.2 million cessful

Which of the following is NOT housed at 10 Battleship Cove? Aboard the ship, sailors had opportunities to blow off some steam. a. The state’s 9/11 memorial These recreational opportunities b. The USS Lionfish included all of these EXCEPT: 7 c. The USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. a. musical performances d. visiting the soda d. The USS Arizona b. ice skating shop for a grilled cheese or ice

c. boxing cream soda d 10. b; 9. c; 8. b; 7. c; 6.

1. b; 2. d; 3. c; 4. d; 5. d; d; 5. d; 4. c; 3. d; 2. b; 1. ANSWERS:

BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 33 RIGHT: Caroline Kennedy visited Battleship Cove in 1976. A PEEK AROUND THE COVE SHIP

ABOVE: It’s a bird’s-eye view of Battleship Cove as Lt. Col. John Klatt gives Herald News reporter Kevin P. O’Connor a ride in his HERALD NEWS PHOTOS | JACK FOLEY, DAVE SOUZA AND ARCHIVE aerobatic plane. Piloting the SCENES single-seater is Bill Kerns.

BELOW: Old view of the USS RIGHT: The bow of a shark-faced PT Massachusetts looking north boat is on display at Battelship Cove. from the Braga Bridge.

BELOW: Big Mamie sits next to an unfinished Braga Bridge in 1965.

34 B A T T L E S H I P C O V E : 50 YEARS $100,000 AMOUNT OF MONEY IT COST TO BRING 7NUMBER OF THE BATTLESHIP MONTHS TO FALL RIVER. AHEAD OF SCHEDULE THE SHIP WAS BUILT NUMBERS IN. 2,300 TO NUMBER OF HUNGRY KNOW SAILORS THAT SQUARE FOOTAGE OF PROPOSED HAROLD 32,000 NEW MUSEUM AT BATTLESHIP COVE. NYE, A CHIEF COOK, HAD TO FEED EACH $8.5M DAY. THE COST IN 1998 TO REPAIR THE BATTLESHIP.

681FEET LENGTH OF BIG MAMIE. BATTLESHIP COVE: 50 YEARS 35