THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 19, 1994 TAG: 9409190080
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MYLENE MANGALINDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Driving west on Interstate 64 from Norfolk to Hampton, motorists can catch a glimpse of a weathered structure jutting out past the highway station on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
Hampton Roads residents got a chance on this cloudy Sunday to see Fort Wool up close as part of Hampton Bay Days' ``A Day on the Bay.''
The artificial island and ancient Civil War fortress just east of the I-64 bridge drew more than 500 people to the island festivities, said Cheryl Copper, the coordinator of the event. She expected about 1,000 total, shuttled on two boats between the historic site and Hampton and Norfolk, before the end of the day.
Festival organizers hoped the festival's unique location would focus attention on the environment and saving the Chesapeake Bay. Proceeds of the event will go to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Fort Wool.
Most of the people attending ``A Day on the Bay'' had never been to Fort Wool before.
``I always see it when I ride over the bridge,'' said first-time visitor Joe Halperin, a Newport News resident.
Like others, Hampton resident Virginia Thomas came out of curiosity. One of her companions, Melvin Simmons, pondered the island's endurance. ``It's interesting how this place can survive as it has,'' he said.
Beginning in 1819, Fort Wool was built over years with hand-hewn rocks. Union forces used the island as a battle station during the Civil War. It was used as a site for artillery practice up to World War II. Now the Hampton Parks and Recreation department operates daily tours to the island.
Although the island is sinking at a rate of one-quarter to one-eighth of an inch per year, none of the festival participants seemed to mind. Festival volunteers painted faces. Children ran around the ancient prison cells and battlements scattered around the island. Others enjoyed food and drinks to the sound of bands playing throughout the day.
Despite the overt historical reminders like the huge lookout tower and costumed Civil War soldiers, some visitors took the significance of the fort in stride.
Bob Armentrout, a retired engineer at Newport News Shipbuilding, gave his impression of the island: ``It's smaller than I thought.'' by CNB