EDITOR’S NOTE:

 This is second in a series of excerpts extracted from Else Martin’s “Shipbuilding and Marine History of Jackson County, Mississippi,” that was compiled from pre-1900 records.

1810 – A statement about Joseph Rabie (Raby) in December read: “A few days ago, at the Bayou St. John, Joseph Rabie, master of a schooner just arrived from Pascagoula, informed me that a few days before he left, he was forced to obtain a passport from one Pierre Nicolet, acting commandant under the Florida Convention. That on his way here he, (the said Rabie), passed the Bay St. Louis and the Pass of Christian.” Written by Joseph Collins to Governor Claiborne, Governor of the Mississippi Territory. Source: Passports of Southeastern Pioneers, 1770-1823, by Dorothy Williams Potter.

1821 – Schooner Sea Bird, of New Orleans, La., built at Pascagoula, Miss. Description: 25-37/95 tons; 45 feet 7 inches by 13 feet 6 inches, and 4 feet 9 inches; one deck, two masts, round stern. Enrolled No. 65, Jan. 16, 1821. Owners: Pierre Raby, New Orleans; Basilice Raby, Pascagoula, Miss. Source: Ship Records & Enrollments of New Orleans, Louisiana, Vol. II, 1821-1830

1822 – Schooner , from Pascagoula, with 25 bales of cotton — to order; Port of Mobile, Ala. Source: Port of Mobile Register

1822 – Schooner Rising States, Capt. Davis, from Pascagoula, with shingles, lime and tar; to S. Glover & the master; Port of Mobile, Ala. Port of Mobile Register

1824 – Schooner Bazaliste built on the Pascagoula River, Jackson County, Miss., in the year 1824. Description: 20-53/95 tons; 43 feet 6 inches by 14 feet 3 inches and 3 feet 11 inches; one deck, two masts, square stern. Registered (temporary) No. 43, May 24, 1824. Source: Ship Records & Enrollments of New Orleans, Louisiana, Vol. II, 1821-1830.

1829 – Maria of Pascagoula, Capt. Pickett, located on Lake Erie. The Maria of Pascagoula may have been built in Pascagoula.

1830 – Bebee Boat Yard, Bebee Point, Bayou Cassotte, Jackson County, Miss. Wm. Bebee Sr., who was born about 1786 in Maine, moved to North Carolina, to Florida and then to Jackson County, Miss. Wm. Bebee Sr. was married to Sarah Ann (last name not found) before coming to Jackson County. They were the parents of Nancy Bebee, born about 1818 who married a ship carpenter named Thomas Welch. Thomas Welch was born in Ireland. Another daughter, Lucinda Bebee, married first Charles Edward Southern, born 1820 in New York, a seaman and boat builder, and second Wm. Henry Savage Sr. Two known sons were William Bebee, Jr. and Edward Bebee.

1832 – Broadus, barge builders – Thomas Broadus, an established sea captain and barge builder and wife, Elizabeth Bestpitch of Dorchester County, Md., moved before 1816 to Baldwin/Jasper/Putnam County, Georgia, and began building barges on the Apalachee River. Moses and Elizabeth Broadus moved to Mobile County, Ala., where Moses engaged in schooner and barge building. They first lived in the area of Grand Bay and Bayou La Batrie. In 1832 they moved to the Pascagoula and Escatawpa River area and again engaged in the building of barges and schooners.

1838, Ebenezer Clark Ship Yard – In 1838, Ebenezer Clark came to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and settled on the Pascagoula River. He located north of Moss Point on a bayou known today by his name and began one of the earliest authenticated shipyards. Here he constructed flat-bottomed schooners for the coastal trade. His records reveal that he repaired some 200 vessels and constructed many small boats and schooners. This industry folded with the death of the owner in the 1850s. The Ingalls News credited his shipyard on Clark’s Bayou with the beginning of the tradition of fine Pascagoula ships.” Source: Journal of Mississippi History, Shipbuilding on the Pascagoula River.

In 1882, a barge was launched by McArthur Shipbuilder to be rigged as a schooner in Mobile for the Texas trade. Capt. William Davidson launched a 90-foot-long schooner in the Escatawpa River for a client in Galveston

1892 — The tug boat Emma D. was at DeAngelos’s shipyard for repairs. Blanchard’s shipyard was repairing the schooner B. Frank Neally and Elvira.

1893 — The Biloxi Canning Factory was having two large barges built at Francis Codina’s shipyard. Gandy Shipyard on Krebs’ Lake was building a new tug for the Kimball brothers of Mobile.

1897 — Narcise Seymour was building a 24-foot-long sloop and the DeAngelo Shipyard was repairing the Steamer Fox.

1900 — The Cirlot-Holmes Lumber Company’s mill at the Blanchard shipyard site was sawing 35,000 feet of lumber a day. The tugs Leo & Native No. 2 collided in the river with the latter sustaining considerable damage.

1900 — A list is included of more than 350 residents with their occupations, birthplaces and current residences.

1901 — A new schooner was near completion at Frentz’s shipyard for the L.N. Dantzler Lumber Company of Moss Point for the Mexican coast lumber trade. It was named Susie Bell Dantzler. The Pascagoula Pilot Association, anticipating increased port activity, contracted with designer and builder Joe Pol to built a 65-foot-long pilot boat. The schooner Ella G. Eells was loading 200,000 feet of lumber for New York.

1906 — M.M. Flechas Sr., Shipyard was building three-masted schooners and barges with a work force ranging from 25 to 100 employees.

1907 — Poitevant Brothers Shipyard began operations.

1909 — Delmas & Krebs Shipyard was building large barges on the riverfront, including a 91-foot-long vessel for the U.S. Government. Construction cost was $5,000 for the vessel that was to be used as a coal barge to the dredge boat Pascagoula.

(Anyone who would like to share historical records, photos and/or documents for this column, the library and/or the historical and genealogical journal may contact this columnist by e-mail, jmanders@cableone.net or Sherry Owens and Renee Hague, at Pascagoula Public Library, 228-769-3078. Photos and original documents will be scanned and returned to owners.)

The USS Ticonderoga CG 47 was decommissioned on Thursday, September 30th, 2004 in Pascagoula, MS. It was towed by USS Grasp to the Navy Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia. Its fate is, as yet, unknown; however ships assigned to one of the four NISMF are typically disposed of in one of several ways: sale or lease to another country, donation to a museum, sinking exercise, or dismantling for scrap.

Photos of the ceremony are here. All photos were taken by Joe Knight, except for “man-the-rails.jpg” and “dead_stick.jpg”, which came from the Navy Newstand, Copyright 2004, Stacey Byington. You may use Joe’s photos however you wish, provided you credit USSTiconderoga.com.

Comments from Joe on the decommissioning

Darrell Pace and I attended the decommissioning because we felt drawn to see the ship one last time. We arrived at the Naval Station in Pascagoula shortly before the ceremony was to begin. Our first good look at Tico came as we walked from the parking lot to the head of the pier. She looked very different. Gone were the radars, CIWS mounts, Harpoon launchers, and much of the other topside gear. The exhausts and intakes were covered with metal plates, signaling that the fires that gave her life had been quenched. Most strikingly, the 5″ guns and missile launchers were depressed, pointing at the deck of the ship — an unnatural posture for weapons of war. That sight, more than anything else, brought home the reality of what would occur that morning.

We headed toward a set of bright blue and white tents, which stood in stark contrast to the somber mood of the day. As we walked the length of the ship, we saw that the many ribbons on the bridge wings were still present — mute testimony to the victories of crews past. She still looked strong, formidable even at nearly twenty-two years old.

We took our seats as the ceremony began. The decommissioning crew was ordered to man the rails and the colors were paraded. After these opening formalities, Rear Admiral Charles Bush, a former Weps and CO of Tico, related his memories from his time on the ship. He said, in part, “We are not going to talk of sadness today. We are going to celebrate the storied accomplishments of the guided-missile cruiser Ticonderoga, the first Aegis cruiser.” Truly, Tico has an unprecedented list of accomplishments, from pioneering the successful implementation of the Aegis combat system, to deploying only nine months after commissioning (the first of eleven deployments), to being the first ship to report for service in the Gulf War. Ticonderoga fulfilled her mission in every aspect.

Following Rear Admiral Bush was the final Commanding Officer of Ticonderoga, Commander Glenn Zeiders. CDR Zeiders is the longest serving CO of Tico. He spoke of his pride in the ship and her crew. It was clearly an emotional time for him as he said goodbye to Tico.

Then came the ceremonial traditions that mark the end of service life for U.S. Navy ships. First, the crew was ordered to debark the ship. They filed off solemnly from the midships and aft brows, receiving a standing ovation, and formed up on the pier. Next, the colors were hauled down from the fantail and fo’c'sle, and the commissioning penant was lowered and presented to CDR Zeiders. Finally, the quarterdeck watch was secured. Lt. Perry Summers, the last Officer of the Deck in Ticonderoga history, presented the ship’s spyglass and log book to CDR Zeiders, then briefly returned to the ship to formally ask permission to secure the watch. When permission was given and Lt. Summers left the ship, Ticonderoga was, for the first time in nearly twenty-two years, quiet. The roar of the gas turbines, the call of the 1MC, the steady hum of the ventilation system, and the sound of “squids” going about their daily routine — all were stilled. No one walked her decks.

Shortly following the ceremony the brows were removed and a tug came in to pull Tico out to sea to rendezvous with the tow ship USS Grasp. She was pulled out “dead stick,” meaning without power or guidance. It didn’t seem like a fitting way for a warship to be treated, but Tico wasn’t a warship any longer.

The Ticonderoga means different things to those of us who have served aboard her. For some it was their introduction to Navy life. For others it was just one stop in a long career. For a few it was something they’d like to forget. For me it was a time of learning about the world and maturing into an adult. The long hours and time away from home strengthened my character, which led to the successes I’ve had in my life. Navy life can be frustrating at times, and when walked off the ship for the last time with my seabag in one hand and my discharge papers in the other I was eager to move on with my life, but the Ticonderoga was my home and classroom for four years. She gave me the opportunity to make many good memories and close friends. For that, she’s earned an honored place in my heart.

I’ll close this letter with a quote from Rear Admiral Bush’s speech: “We who served in Ticonderoga are the ship. We have taken in her lines, set sail for foreign shores, and returned home again, and again, and again. For as long as we are around — those who served on her — there will always be a Ticonderoga.”

Fair winds and following seas to all who served aboard the First and Formidable Aegis Cruiser.

Joe Knight
5 October, 2004

reposted from http://www.ussticonderoga.com 

USS TICONDEROGA was the lead ship of the TICONDEROGA class and fifth ship in the Navy to bear the name. She was the world’s first warship equipped with the AEGIS combat system. USS TICONDEROGA was decommissioned on September 30, 2004, and is now berthed at the Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, Penn.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS TICONDEROGA. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

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• Click here to see which USS TICONDEROGA memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS TICONDEROGA Cruise Books and Pamphlets:

• Maiden Cruise Book 1983-84
• Med/NorLant/IO Cruise Book 1987-88
• SouthCom Cruise Book 2001
• Decommissioning Pamphlet

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About the Ship’s Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

The history of the name Ticonderoga and the four ships that have borne that name is represented by the symbols on the shield. The name Ticonderoga is from the Iroquois Indian word meaning “between two waters” and is symbolized by the white band separating the blue lower half of the shield. The four dark blue stars symbolize the previous four ships bearing the name TICONDEROGA. The historical capture of Fort Ticonderoga is commemorated by the embattled partition line with the gold lion on the red field above it signifying the British adversary during the Revolutionary War. The motto “FIRST AEGIS CRUISER” emphasizes the significance of the new combat system and the ship which carries it.

The Crest:

The AEGIS Weapon System, a surface ship combat systems which has as its motto “Shield of the Fleet”, is symbolized by the blue shield of a shape distinctive to the AEGIS System. The single gold star represents CG 47, the fifth ship to bear the name TICONDEROGA and the first combatant to carry the shield to sea. The spears extending from the shield reflect TICONDEROGA’s mighty offensive armament capabilities and unparalleled firepower which permit her to operate in a multi-threat environment and take on any air, surface and subsurface target which the Battle Group might encounter.

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Accidents aboard USS TICONDEROGA:

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About the Name “TICONDEROGA”:

When the Department of Navy announced in February 1980 that the lead ship of a new class of AEGIS-equipped, guided missile cruisers would be called TICONDEROGA, it marked the fifth time in U.S. Navy history that a ship would bear that historic name.

The newest ship was named, not after the great stone fortress itself, but in commemoration of the capture of Fort Ticonderoga on 10 May 1775 by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. The first ship named TICONDEROGA (1814 – 1825) was a 17-gun schooner of Commodore MacDonough’s Flotilla in the victorious Battle of Lake Champlain on 11 September 1814. The second TICONDEROGA (1863 – 1881) was a steam sloop-of-war which served with distinction during the Civil War. A former German cargo ship was transformed into the third TICONDEROGA (1917 – 1918), which served the Naval Overseas Transportation Service during World War I. The fourth ship was the famed aircraft carrier, affectionately known as “The Big T,” which served from 1944 to 1973, earning 17 Battle Stars for service during World War II and the Vietnam War. The carrier also received three awards of the Navy Unit Commendation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation for service during the Vietnam War.

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USS TICONDEROGA’s Commanding Officers:

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History of USS TICONDEROGA:

Authorized in Fiscal Year 1978, TICONDEROGA’s keel laying ceremony occurred on 27 January 1980. Over the next three years, Combat Systems Engineers and Computer Technicians, as well as riveters, welders and Propulsion Engineers worked together as members of a unique team to create this formidable warship.

On 25 April 1981, TICONDEROGA was launched, and for the first time was afloat in her natural environment. The following month, on 16 May 1981, the then First Lady, Mrs. Nancy Reagan, the ship’s sponsor, accompanied by military and civilian dignitaries, christened TICONDEROGA, with some 9,000 people in attendance.

TICONDEROGA was built in sections, called modules, which allowed improved access to all areas of the ship during construction. The modules were then moved together to form the hull of the ship, and the deckhouse sections were then lifted aboard. For launching, the ship was moved several hundred yards across land to the floating dry dock, which was used to actually launch the ship.

An extensive test and check-out effort and outfitting period was then undertaken as the mighty hull was brought to life. TICONDEROGA men arrived in Pascagoula in July 1981 and crew training, certification and systems check-out were underway. Sea trials were held in May, August, and November of 1982. During the first trial, TICONDEROGA’s propulsion systems were stringently tested, passing with flying colors. The new cruiser accomplished a four-hour run at full power, achieving a speed in excess of 30 knots.

On its second trial, TICONDEROGA and her Navy crew accomplished an unprecedented “Navy First.” She flexed her muscles for the first time, 6 months prior to commissioning, by successfully firing every weapon system on board. This included two Anti-Surface Harpoon Blast Test Missiles, 11 Surface-to-Air Blast Test Missiles, 5″/54-Caliber Gun Ammunition, CIWS and, finally, two Standard Surface-to-Air Missiles against drone air targets off Eglin Missile Range. The latter was a complete success, and the TICONDEROGA, “the First and Formidable,” had truly accomplished a “first” with TICONDEROGA men manning and firing the combat system in cooperation with Ingalls’ employees and civilian contractors.

TICONDEROGA was delivered to the Navy on 13 December 1982. Following commissioning, she moved to Norfolk, her home port. During the next year, CG 47 was scheduled to participate in extensive Combat System and Engineering Exercises, as well as intensive single ship and Battle Group readiness evolutions. She returnd to Pascagoula in the Summer for a six-week Post-Shakedown Availability.

In 1984, the TICONDEROGA stood out on her maiden deployment. Operating with the USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62), the TICONDEROGA provided naval gunfire support in the Mediterranean off Lebanon.

TICONDEROGA again deployed to the Mediterranean from February to September 1986. Accompanied by USS CARON (DD 970) and USS SCOTT (DDG 995), TICONDEROGA served as lead ship across the “Line of Death” and acted as the on-scene air-warfare commander during the exercise in the Gulf of Sidra and as well as during the subsequent removal of SAM batteries that launched an SA-5 missile against an F-14 from AMERICA (CV 66). During the deployment, TICONDEROGA also conducted combat SAR operations for one F-111 that was lost during “Line of Death” operations. It was later discovered that the F-111 had been shot down by a Libyan ZSU-23.

A remarkable fact about TICONDEROGA is that she had launched over 100 SM-2′s before she was three years old.

USS TICONDEROGA’s third cruise started on 10 September 1987 and took her to the Mediterranean, North Atlantic and Indian Ocean. TICONDEROGA operated with the IOWA (BB 61) and DEYO(DD 989) for the whole cruise and with DEWEY (DDG 45), PAUL (FF 1080) and CANISTEO (AO 99) for the Mediterranean and NorLant. On this deployment, TICONDEROGA also took part in several Operation Earnest Will missions in the Persian Gulf. The TICONDEROGA returned home on 10 March 1988 after a deployment during which she was without carrier support for most of the time. Negative consequence for the crew: no mail.

Assigned to the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) Battle Group, the TICONDEROGA left the US east coast on 8 March 1990 on her fourth deployment. Following the Iraqi invasion in Kuwait on 2 August 1990, the Battle Group was ordered into the Persian Gulf, arriving there 8 August and participating in Operation Desert Shield – the build-up of coalition forces in the Gulf area. Relieved by the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) Battle Group 24 August 1990, the DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) Battle Group returned home 12 September 1990.

USS TICONDEROGA took part, in May 1995, in an 11-day exercise, called Destined Glory ’95, The exercise took place in the western Mediterranean south of Sardinia and included more than 20 ships and thousands of troops from the NATO countries of Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, U.K. and the U.S. This marked the first time, NATO countries conducted a fully integrated amphibious exercise in an air, land and sea training environment. USS TICONDEROGA was in the Mediterranean as part of the THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group, having left its homeport on March 22.

It deployed with the THEODORE ROOSEVELT and other battle group ships to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, the enforcement of the no-fly zone over Iraq. It then deployed back to the Adriatic to take station for Operation Deny Flight, the U.N.-mandated no-fly zone over Bosnia. The THEODORE ROOSEVELT reported on station May 26.

In June of 1996, TICONDEROGA shifted homeports from Norfolk, Virginia, to Pascagoula, Mississippi as part of Western Hemisphere Group. TICONDEROGA’s focus changed from United States Navy battle group operations to independent steaming and working with South American Navies during counter-narcotics operations.

In April of 1999, TICONDEROGA commenced a SMART SHIP installation designed to replace analog control systems with new digital systems. USS TICONDEROGA was the first production Smart Ship cruiser fielded in the summer of 2000, undergoing the upgrade at Naval Station Pascagoula. After fourteen long months of installations and ship alterations, TICONDEROGA completed sea trials. The crew next prepared for various readiness and operational inspections. Light Off Assessment (LOA) was conducted in late May prior to sea trials and Engineering Department put in numerous off-duty hours preparing the ship’s engineering spaces. Sea trials with the new SMART SHIP program went smoothly on June 1st and 2nd without any major problems.

USS TICONDEROGA took part in the mid-October 2000, Atlantic phase of the 41st annual “Unitas” Task Group deployment. The purpose of “Unitas” is to conduct multi-lateral naval operations including traditional at-sea exercises and inport activities with participating naval forces in support of U.S. foreign policy in South America. During the Atlantic phase, the TICONDEROGA made a stop at the port city of Ushuaia, located in the Patagonia region on the southern tip of Argentina, which it departed from on October 4th. The vessel later visited Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 23, 2000, as part of a four U.S. Navy ships contingent.

After a holiday vacation, the crew of America’s First Aegis Cruiser returned to sea in late January to mid-February 2001. TICONDEROGA served as flagship for DESTROYER SQUADRON SIX, its immediate superior in charge, and completed a Group Sail with several other ships in the squadron. Events included tactical maneuvering, seamanship exercises, communications drills, and electronic warfare exercises to prepare for upcoming deployments. Each ship had the opportunity to fire a Standard missile to maintain combat readiness standards. The missile launches were the highlight of the Group Sail.

TICONDEROGA’s crew next prepared for INSURV, a mandated inspection that occurs on board each U.S. Navy ship every five years. The inspection is a material and systems readiness assessment to prove how well a crew has maintained their ship. Many crewmembers have dedicated numerous off-duty hours to ensure all navigation, engineering, electronic, and combat systems equipment are ready for the inspection.

From April to August 2001, TICONDEROGA was to loosen all lines and deploy in support of U.S. Southern Command operations. USS TICONDEROGA participated in Teamwork South, a series of challenging naval exercises in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean with Guided Missile Frigate RODNEY M. DAVIS (FFG 60), twelve Chilean warships and the British Destroyer HMS EDINBURGH (D 97). The exercise was completed in mid-July 2001 and included a live fire Sink Exercise (SINKEX) on the ex-USS LA MOURE COUNTY (LST 1194) unmanned hulk target, which had been decommissioned after an accident off the coast of Chile the previous year and whose use as a target was determined to outweigh the cost of potential repairs.

After September 11, 2001, TICONDEROGA was the first ship out of Pascagoula to participate in OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE as South-East Sector Air Defense Group Commander.

Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co. Inc., Mobile, AL, was awarded a $7,990,455 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract for the drydocking selected restricted availability of USS TICONDEROGA. As of January 2002, work was performed in Mobile, AL, and was completed by June 2002.

From March to August 2004 TICONDEROGA completed her final deployment, one of the most successful counter-narcotics operations on record. Her efforts led directly to narcotics interdictions totaling 14,406 pounds of cocaine, four Go-Fast smuggling vessels, one smuggling fishing vessel, 25 prisoners and 5 Logistic Support Vessels. In addition, TICONDEROGA worked in conjunction with Costa Rican and Colombian Navies to interdict two additional Go-Fast vessels.

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USS TICONDEROGA Patch Gallery:

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USS TICONDEROGA Image Gallery:

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The photo below was taken by Karl-Heinz Ahles while USS TICONDEROGA was inport Pascagoula, Miss., on May 17, 1999.

The photos below were taken by Brian Barton on October 13, 2008, and show the TICONDEROGA laid up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The ships next to the TICONDEROGA are CONOLLY(DD 979), THOMAS S. GATES (CG 51) and the ARTHUR W. RADFORD (DD 968).

The photos below were taken by me on November 7, 2008, and show the TICONDEROGA laid up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

Click here to view more photos.

The photos below were taken by me on October 26, 2010, and show the TICONDEROGA still laid up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

Click here to view more photos.

Cherie Ward; The Mississippi Press

BATON ROUGE – More than 40 officials and community leaders from Jackson County embarked Thursday on a fact finding mission to tour the destroyer USS Kidd in Louisiana. The exploratory trip, sponsored by the Mississippi Ticonderoga Project and Vision Tours of Ocean Springs, was intended to provide ways to relocate the decommissioned USS Ticonderoga to Pascagoula. The guided missile cruiser would be the centerpiece of a proposed Mississippi Maritime and Warship Museum on the east bank of the city – in the heart of a proposed waterfront development.

“We want it on the Pascagoula River,” said Dr. Jack Hoover, president of the Mississippi Ticonderoga Project. “We would like it as close as possible to the Highway 90 bridge for visibility to get more people in.” 
Hoover said the cost of the project is predicted to be $8 million to $10 million for transferring and setup. 
“But, we plan to ask some of the bigger businesses for the majority of that,” Hoover said. “It’s a piece of our history. The ship was built at Ingalls in 1982. Businesses around here have made money off of the shipyard for years. So many people come up to me and say we have to have the ship here. The vets who served on the ship want it here.”

Hoover organized the trip to tour the Kidd in hopes to gain county and statewide support for the project. 
“I want everyone we invited today to take away from this trip that this is a beautiful project,” Hoover said. “It will be extremely beneficial to the city of Pascagoula, Jackson County and to the whole state. Mississippi does not have a warship museum.” 
Maury Drummond, executive director of the USS Kidd Veterans Memorial, spent about an hour with the group answering questions and providing information about Baton Rouge’s journey to gain its warship.

Drummond painted a picture of a worthwhile project with plenty of community involvement. 
“Get the women involved,” the 20-year director said, laughing. “Women will get things done and sometimes men just talk about it.” 
Most of the funds the museum receives are mainly from the gift shop, military reunions and overnight youth programs, but Drummond said the city allocates $225,000 annually for upkeep. He said city officials wanted 300,000 visitors yearly, but the ship sees about 80,000 visitors each year. 
“And that’s plenty,” Drummond said. “If you get that many you’re set. I’m willing to help in anyway I can.” 
Hoover said a hurricane plan would be developed as part of U.S. Navy requirements for the ship being transferred from the Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia, Pa.

“The ship would be hurricane-proof and up to Navy standards,” Hoover said. City officials agreed the location would be perfect, history would come alive in Pascagoula with a warship museum and it could be an added attraction. 
“But, I have said from the beginning that I do not want taxpayer dollars spent on the setup,” Pascagoula Mayor Matthew Avara said. “I have said many times that this administration will not raise taxes. I think it’s a doable-do and it would be the lighthouse of the waterfront project. I’ll go anywhere and talk to anyone about it – I just won’t spend taxpayer money on it.’

Avara said he would volunteer city staff to research and try to obtain grant funds for the project, but would not support allocating as much money as the Kidd receives annually from Baton Rouge. Todd Trenchard, communication director for Merchants & Marine Bank echoed the mayor. 
“I think it’s a good project,” Trenchard said, “if we can find the financial resources for it. It’s an important part of our history, but we’re still recovering from Katrina.”

Debbie Anglin, communications director with the Pascagoula School District, said she’s excited about the prospect of a warship for students to tour. “It’s a part of our history,” Anglin said. “Our students’ family members built the ship and for them to be able to explore it is very exciting. I’m already thinking of ways we can utilize it in the school system.” Hoover said he understands the journey to bring the Ticonderoga to Pascagoula is long, but with help from the community it is obtainable.

If you would like to see a few of the customizable items that we already have available simply visit our “Tico Gear” store.

There will be many more custom pieces of gear and item’s added as time progresses. If you have some unique images or graphics related to USS Ticonderoga and want to donate them please use the “Contact Us” page to initiate conversation with us about it.

The nonprofit Mississippi Maritime & Warship Museum inked a partnership with the University of Southern Mississippi to help the group identify, gather and catalogue artifacts.

Museum supporters hope those artifacts — things such as ship models, historic photographs and documents — will start moving into their temporary home at Bayside Village Senior Apartments sometime in the next six months.

USM students are expected to start gathering facts by early summer, said Dr. Jack Hoover, president of the group.

On the day when the USM partnership became official, Hoover led a bus tour that included the proposed museum site on Lowry Island, the Ingalls shipyard and the temporary space at the senior apartments, formerly the historic high school on Pascagoula Street.

State Tourism Director Mary Beth Wilkerson was among those who participated. She said the maritime museum could ultimately serve as a tourism “bookend” for south Mississippi, along with the Infinity Science Center in Hancock County.

The plan is to build the museum first, then transport the “Tico,” as it’s known, home from San Diego.

The price tag is expected to be considerable, about $25 million for museum, refurbished ship and related infrastructure.

Hoover said the group is looking at all sources of funding — state and federal grants, as well as corporate contributions.

They’ve just hired a grant writing consultant, which Hoover said promises to yield results.

The partnership with the university is costing the effort nothing, since students in the USM’s Department of Archives and History will receive credit in exchange for their research.

Hoover said he’d like to see the museum start coming out of the ground sometime in the next five years. Besides attracting out-of-town tourists, the museum and ship could be rented out for events such as wedding receptions and civic meetings, he said.

Such a project could have a domino effect on development, organizers said, noting that at least three new restaurants have opened in Indianola near the new BB King Museum.