Imagine having a 437-foot U.S. Navy warship docked Downtown along the St. Johns River that would be an interactive naval warfare museum, conference and hospitality venue and a destination for locals and tourists from around the world.
That’s the goal of the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association.
The federal government has offered the organization the USS Charles F. Adams, a guided missile destroyer that traces its history to the 1962 Cuban missile crisis during the Cold War.
The vessel was decommissioned years ago and is stored in the Inactive Ships program at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The association proposes to tow the Adams to Jacksonville, where it will be refurbished and then opened to the public.
All that will take money, about $2 million for towing and repairs when the ship arrives, which is why the association is hosting two events this week to raise funds and grow support for bringing the Adams Downtown.
Friday from 5:30-8 p.m., association members and supporters will gather at the new Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub at the Landing to check out the new venue’s food and beverage options and meet the local business and community leaders who are helping with the effort to bring the Adams Downtown,.
Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Omni Hotel, the association is hosting its annual gala with special guests Gov. Rick Scott and Mayor Alvin Brown.
In addition to a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions will offer bidding opportunities for several weekend getaways, golf packages and tickets to next year’s Players Championship.
Also on the auction block are museum-quality ship models, a rosewood ship’s clock and footballs autographed by Jacksonville Jaguar Maurice Jones-Drew and University of Florida Head Coach Will Muschamp.
Attorney and Holland & Knight partner Dan Bean is president of the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association, which represents more than 800 officers and enlisted personnel who served on the Adams and the other ships in its class.
Bean’s first assignment as a U.S. Navy ensign and surface warfare officer was aboard the Adams when it was home-ported at Naval Station Mayport.
“The governor wants to meet as many people as he can. The evening is a way for people to help us get the Adams to Jacksonville. Every dollar we raise goes to bringing the ship here and getting it open to the public,” said Bean.
For ticket information and reservations, visit www.Adams2Jax.org.
356-2466