Norfolk officially takes over the Wisconsin at Nauticus

Norfolk officials have eagerly waited for the day when tourists could peer through the battleship Wisconsin's berthing areas and traipse through the ship's combat center.

Now after years of negotiations and environmental reviews, the Navy has finally granted ownership of the Wisconsin to the city.

Vice Adm. David Architzel signed the contract Monday, more than three years after the city asked for permission to maintain and run the Wisconsin as a tourist attraction.

The move will allow the city to begin spending $6.2 million that it set aside years ago to renovate the interior of the ship, which is moored next to Nauticus. Currently, it is partially open to the public.

Visitors can tour limited portions of the Wisconsin's deck. But by next spring, Nauticus director Hank Lynch said he expects to begin offering tours of parts of the ship's interior. Within three years, he said, most of the ship's entire interior will be open, including the combat information center, berthing areas, and the barber and doughnut shops.

"We want to show people everything it took to take care of the 2,000 human beings on that ship," he said.

But that will all come with a price. Beginning Saturday, anyone who wants to tour the ship's deck will have to buy a ticket to enter Nauticus.

Admission to the Wisconsin is now free. On Saturday, it will cost an adult $10.95 to enter both attractions.

"This is the most powerful ship the Navy ever built," Lynch said. "It's not just an icon of the American Navy, it's an icon of the American spirit.

"These things cost a lot of money to maintain. I don't think anyone will balk at paying a modest admission."

Since opening to tourists in 2001, the Wisconsin became a symbol for downtown, Mayor Paul Fraim said.

"This is a wonderful moment for the city," he said.

Fraim said the city had hoped to gain ownership of the battleship two years ago, but environmental reviews "dragged this out much longer than anyone expected."

Nauticus draws about 200,000 paying customers a year, not including another 200,000 who tour the Wisconsin for free, Lynch said.

Once the interior is open, Lynch said, he expects "attendance will grow very vigorously."

Built in Philadelphia, the Wisconsin was commissioned in 1944, and saw action in the Pacific during World War II, where it earned five battle stars.

It was deactivated in 1948 and activated again in 1951 for the Korean War. It was decommissioned again in 1958, recommissioned in 1988 and was homeported in Norfolk.

It participated in the Persian Gulf War in 1991 before being decommissioned for the final time later that year. The ship arrived at its current site Dec. 7, 2000, the 59th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Lynch said the ship is in remarkably good condition. The city paid for an inspection, including divers who checked out the hull.

But a lot needs to be done before it can open fully to the public, he said. It must be cleaned of any hazardous materials, including asbestos. Then the heating and cooling systems must be overhauled.

"A warship is different from the typical facility you allow the public to go into," he said. "But we'll get it open to the public as quickly as we can."

Pilot writer Corinne Reilly contributed to this report.

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com