posted May 09, 2005 01:34 AM               

Hornet looking for money to stay afloat
Power could be shut off Monday, eviction may follow

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The historic aircraft carrier Hornet, docked in Alameda, is in danger of having its electricity cut off Monday and could face eviction from its 10-year home at the former Alameda Naval Air Station.

While the nonprofit organization that has operated a museum on the craft for six years has struggled financially from the start, it is now facing "a perfect storm" of events that could doom the attraction, Scott Armanini, CEO of Friends of the Hornet, said Saturday.

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posted May 09, 2005 01:53 AM               

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We have a new helicopter, we have some new spaces opening up to the public and as always we are looking forward to a busy summer season.

Apollo 13 Helicopter
SH-3H SeaKing Bu. No. 148999, last flown in the film "Apollo 13". SeaKings flew from Hornet's decks from 1965 to 1970 in various roles. The SeaKings recovered the Apollo 11 & 12 Astronauts following their lunar landings on the moon. If you would like to help with the cost of restoration please contact Rick Thom at 510-521-8448 x268 for further details.

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posted May 09, 2005 02:07 PM            

The last time I was there I was all alone in the Captain's At Sea Cabin and I noticed that on his desk under a plate of glass was a handwritten note by the captain about that day's recovery of Apollo 12. Since no one was around I was tempted to slide back the glass and take the note. It would have been so easy. But I'm happy to say that I didn't commit theft. I thought about it but I didn't do it!

P.S. Spaceflight fans feel right at home on the Hornet as the "Welcome Aboard" video was done by Wally Schirra.

posted May 09, 2005 08:17 PM               

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A weekend media blitz produced enough donations to the USS Hornet Museum that Alameda Power & Telecom cut a deal to keep the ship open, at least in the short term.

The city-owned electric company notified the floating ship's management Thursday afternoon that if its $26,000 bill wasn't paid, the electricity would be cut off at noon today, said Hornet chief executive officer Scott Armanini.

The Hornet was able to pay $6,000 today and promised another $3,300 by May 16, he said. They will pay the remainder, except for a $10,000 line of credit with the utility, on May 18.

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posted January 25, 2008 10:45 AM               

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When veterans and history buffs were rallying more than a decade ago to save the USS Hornet and transform it into a floating museum, they displayed a flag above the aircraft carrier's flight deck.

"Don't give up the ship," it said.

The fight is still going on.

Only this time Hornet supporters are trying to increase the number of museum-goers and steer the struggling ship into a strong financial current.

It's not easy, admits Jon Stanley, the museum's chief executive officer.

"If we were docked at a pier in San Francisco, there would be plenty of foot traffic and people interested in coming aboard," Stanley said as he sat in his office deep in the heart of the ship. "But just look outside here now. I bet there's no one."

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