January 05

Thanks a lot for getting the info to me. I have forwarded it to our membership. I will also put it on our website.

I think if people know that the ship has a chance they would be more apt to send more money.

She definitely has a chance, but we have to make her compartments water-tight. We have a long list of other stuff we are doing right now based on what the hull surveyor said we have to do no matter what (like removal of the friable asbestos, PCB's, fuel, etc.. Slowly, steadily we are doing those things required. We need a great champion. Today I have written every SC state official in the Charleston delegation and the Governor and some key senators in the state. Also both federal Senators (Graham and DeMint) from the state. Hope you will agree we are trying. I hope Rep. Smith will run with the ball and help us get a bunch of folks onboard. I believe I need to write NAVSEA. Have you heard anything from Rear Adm Hamilton? He hasn't said boo to us.

Hugh B. Tant, III
Brigadier General, USA, (Ret.)
Executive Director
Patriots Point Development Authority

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
40 Patriots Point Road
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
843-881-5920 (office)
843-881-4232 (fax)
www.patriotspoint.org

USS LAFFEY INCIDENT HISTORY AND ESTIMATED EXPENSES (at Patriots Point, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464)

Dear Representative James Smith,

We are sending you an update on the USS Laffey, DD 724 (known in naval terms as ex-Laffey) to include the current unbudgeted costs we have incurred to date based on the sixty-four year old ship's fragile condition (see attachment). Also sending facts on what it will cost to repair or deassess this famous warship and National Historic Landmark.

The three incidents where the Laffey recently took on water have cost us $231,293 to date and are rising. This includes some $32,130 in regular labor expenses, which are considered opportunity costs caused by our necessary diversion of our employees from other important projects to work on the Laffey. (Note: We greatly appreciate, but have only received $16,280 in donations mainly from the Laffey Association which are not reflected in the attached report.)

Some Very Hard Facts to Swallow: Current estimates from the official hull survey reflect that it will cost some $6-$7 million to dry dock the Laffey and restore her to good health. It will cost roughly $3 million to respectfully sink her at a federal offshore disposal site. Without a champion both options are financially unbearable.

Very respectfully,
Hugh

Hugh B. Tant, III
Brigadier General, USA, (Ret.)
Executive Director

Patriots Point Development Authority
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
40 Patriots Point Road
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
843-881-5920 (office)
843-881-4232 (fax)

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