
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 26, 1993                   TAG: 9306260061
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                                LENGTH: Medium

NORFOLK SURVIVES CLOSINGS

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard won a "big victory" against the latest in a long line of those who would close it permanently, a Virginia congressman said Friday.

But local leaders said the victory may be only a short reprieve.

The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission voted to keep the yard open, preserving 9,800 jobs.

"Taking the Norfolk Naval Shipyard off the base closure list is sweet news for southeastern Virginia, and a big victory for common sense," said U.S. Rep. Owen Pickett, D-Virginia Beach. "It has always been inconceivable to me that the commission would even want to consider closing the only Naval shipyard in an area that is the homeport for 149 Naval vessels, including five aircraft carriers."

Two Navy facilities in Charleston, S.C., three in the San Francisco bay area and single installations in New York and Alabama were selected by a federal commission Friday to be closed.

The commissioners left open the possibility that Charleston could be revived in a limited way if other Navy facilities are moved to the area as part of an overall realignment.

The day was an emotional one for 90-year-old Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., who said of the Charleston decisions, "This is probably the worst disaster to happen to Charleston in my lifetime."

Besides Norfolk, naval installations in California, Mississippi, Texas, Connecticut, Washington state and the Maine-New Hampshire border were among those spared.

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard was founded in 1767 and has evolved to meet the demands of the Navy throughout the history of the country, said shipyard historian Joe M. Law.

For Norfolk, "This is excellent news," Law said. "I think its vindication that the shipyard has been capable enough to stick around for 225 years. The kind of extraordinary service it's performed continues on."

Portsmouth Mayor Gloria Webb said Friday, "I'm smiling from ear to ear. It's great, it's really great."

But Webb and others are not completely relaxed. They expect the issue to come up again.

"We're getting ready to prepare for 1995," Webb said. "I think it's an ongoing process with the downgrade of our defense. This will be probably be a thing that happens every year or two."

by CNB