Courtesy of Port clinton News Herald

Museum may anchor in city
Floating facility could bring in 1st military ship by spring
By CATHARINE HADLEY
Staff writer

The Port Clinton waterfront may be changing as soon as this coming spring.

The Last Patrol Inc., a Swanton-based nonprofit organization, and the city of Port Clinton are working together to establish a "floating museum" on the shoreline, according to John Nowakowski of the group.

The organization presented its plans to City Council in October and recently took measurements near Water Works park to be sure the depth of the water can accommodate the proposed project.

The partnership might bring naval vessels and other equipment to the city, Nowakowski said. "It's almost a foregone conclusion that Port Clinton will be the home for the museum," he said.

Outgoing Mayor Tom Brown is working to secure sponsorship for the project.

"From what the mayor's telling us and everybody involved so far, it's almost a definite. They want it there and we're happy to be there," Nowakowski said. "He's helping us to find funding to cover the cost of getting the ships towed in."

If the project proceeds, Nowakowski said the first ship might be in local waters by spring.

"Two of the ships are in real good shape," he said.

The organizer said the first boat is likely to be the "LSM 45," also called a "landing ship-medium." The second boat will probably be the Coast Guard cutter Storis, he said.

Nowakowski said the group and the city may try to procure more ships, which would be in dry dock for repairs and refurbishment while the waterfront development progresses.

"As the piers are ready, the ships will be able to come," he said. "We're trying to work it both at the same time." The end product would be "a museum on the lake side of the marina of the new waterfront development," he said.

His plans are contingent upon funding from sponsors, Nowakowski said.

"Mayor Brown has already spoken with Senator (George) Voinovich and Congresswoman (Marcy) Kaptur, and they're going to be helping, hopefully."

Brown confirmed he is looking for government money for the project.

"That's the next important step, and I have to go to Washington, D.C., right after the first of the year to check on our funding" he said. "We'll know more about it in January."

"We've got some promises that look real good," Brown said. "I think it's very likely. ... We're pretty confident we're going to see at least one of these crafts here this spring.

" E-mail Catharine Hadley at chadley@gannett.com".

Port Clintion News Herald