The fourth annual “Full Steam Ahead” gala is scheduled at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the Southbank.
The event raises funds for the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association’s effort to bring the USS Charles F. Adams back to Jacksonville. The vessel was home-ported at Mayport Naval Station and was part of the 1962 naval blockade of Cuba leading to the Cuban missile crisis.
The association proposes to restore and berth the vintage guided missile destroyer at a pier near River City Brewing Co., where it would become a floating museum, tourist attraction and educational resource.
Saturday evening’s schedule includes cocktails and appetizers on the hotel’s pool deck and dinner featuring keynote speaker Gov. Rick Scott. Silent auction items including vacation packages, ship scale models and autographed sports memorabilia will be available for bid, with proceeds benefiting the association.
Scheduled to attend is Charles Francis Adams, a cousin to the destroyer’s namesake.
The evening also will celebrate the 237th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.
The prelude to the gala, the “Chart the Course” reception, is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday at Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub and Restaurant at the Landing.
Tickets for both events are available at adams2jax.org, along with descriptions of the auction items.
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