Lest it all sound dreamlike, let’s examine a few facts. The group working to bring this massive carrier to reside in Tampa’s harbor is led by an engineer, Nils Olsson, and a local businessman, Jack Martin. They propose establishing a sea, air and space museum that would focus on the service that Forrestal gave during Cold War times.

This massive ship may be best known for a terrible tragedy off the coast of Vietnam in 1967. A missile was accidentally launched from a Phantom jet waiting for launch on the flight deck. The missile struck the fuel tank of a nearby plane, resulting in a huge fire that engulfed these and nearby planes, and then burned downward through six decks setting off other missiles and bombs. When the inferno was brought under control, 134 men were dead and 64 injured severely, and 21 planes were destroyed. Pilot John McCain was aboard and was among many of the crew members who distinguished themselves in this awful fire. This is the same McCain who is now a Republican senator from Arizona.

Aside from this tragedy, the USS Forrestal is not just another aircraft carrier. The ship was commissioned in 1955 as the nation’s first supercarrier. It is 300 feet longer than either the Yorktown or Lexington, saw action in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and participated in Project Mercury when John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth.

Now, the Forrestal has been retired by the Navy but has been freshly re-conditioned and is in excellent seaworthy condition. If our community doesn’t take this ship, some other forward looking seaport city may look hungrily for the tourist dollars such an attraction would garner.

The Olsson-Martin group proposes to berth the ship in a slot off the Ybor Channel, so that the forward end of the flight deck would extend over Channel Drive. This in itself will provide a striking visual effect in that area of the port, not to mention the sheer bulk of the ship itself, nestled as far up into the port as is possible. Those driving along the Leroy Selmon Crosstown Expressway or on Adamo Drive (SR 60) cannot help but be drawn to the view.

The sheer bulk of the carrier and its superstructure will be a imposing sight, certain to gain attention and notoriety in the area. From the map, you can see it is close to all major arteries that converge in downtown Tampa, so tourists would find it easy to locate (even though Tampa is not a user-friendly city because of unorthodox layouts and street-naming scheme).

It should also be noted that aircraft carriers throughout the nation are successful as tourist attractions. The USS Yorktown is South Carolina’s biggest manmade tourist enticement, in Charleston. Across the gulf in Corpus Christi, Texas, the USS Lexington enjoys a profitable existence. In New York City, the USS Intrepid is paying its way.

Supporters point to a number of ways to attract visitors, in addition to simple tours of the ship. The Forrestal could host reunions and parties or even serve as a sleep-over site for youth groups, such as boys and girls scouts. A museum could be incorporated, perhaps even with actual airplanes that flew from the flight deck.

A flight simulator of the Mercury space capsule is another attraction under consideration. Imagine what a thrill ride that would be — the exhileration of re-entering earth’s atmosphere and then splashing down into the ocean!

A brief history can be found at this site, Multi Educator page.

Now it’s your turn. Send me some feedback.. Would you come to Tampa to see such an attraction? Let me know what you think. I’d love to pass on your suggestions to the movers and shakers involved in this venture. I'd also love to see this ship in Tampa, where it will fit in so well with the illustrious military history that we have. If you want to see the Forrestal here, it will take some work because other ports are also interested! A word to the wise.

Photo from U. S. Naval archives. Map by J. L. Bailey. Copyright © 1998, John L. Bailey

Bailey has considerable historical knowledge of Tampa and is available for walking tours, guided tours via automobile, etc. Please contact Bailey for more information .

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