THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Monday, January 27, 1997              TAG: 9701250008
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A10  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   33 lines

NAUTICUS SOLUTION: BUILD A REPLICA OF WELL-KNOWN SHIP

There has been much lately about the failure of Nauticus to live up to its expectations, and now Norfolk is expected to take over. What will cure Nauticus' ills? Some say association with Disney or another ``signature'' corporation would help. But even Disney may find it difficult to sharpen the blurred focus of that museum.

As an avid museum visitor, a few difficulties are apparent. Primarily, the maritime/marine focus of Nauticus is better-served by two established, world-renowned museums in this area, Mariner's Museum and the Marine Science Museum. Norfolk needs a museum that will attract people to Norfolk on its own merits and not rely on spin-off business from MacArthur Mall, the NHL, etc.

How do you do that? Build a ship. Build a replica of either the USS Monitor or the CSS Virginia (ex-Merrimack). A replica of one or both of these vessels would attract visitors from all over the country. People would come to Norfolk solely to visit one of these historic vessels, and pay handsomely to do so.

Once you built one, profits could go to build the other five to 10 years later. While doing volunteer work at Jamestown Settlement, I saw people drop down $8, 30 minutes before the park closed, to run down to the docks to get a quick look at the replica ships. Norfolk is a historic seaport, and an ironclad replica would give Norfolk instant national prominence.

The Nauticus building could be used to expand the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. This would require further investment by Norfolk, but it would be a sure thing.

TOM APPLE

Norfolk, Jan. 17, 1996