GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
A crew member of the Italian navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci walks the deck at Honolulu Harbor on Thursday. The vessel, dubbed the “most beautiful ship in the world,” was open to the public until its departure from Honolulu on Sunday.
Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
The July 26 edition presents a striking irony in two contrasting stories (“‘Most beautiful ship in the world’ stops in Honolulu” and “Bids open for Falls of Clyde’s removal”).
The first celebrates the arrival of the Amerigo Vespucci, a 93-year-old Italian navy training ship anchored at Pier 9 in all its splendor. The second details the Department of Transportation’s plans to permanently remove the Falls of Clyde from Honolulu harbor. This historic vessel, launched 146 years ago, is the last surviving four-masted, iron-hulled sailing oil tanker. Despite the dedication of countless individuals and efforts by state agencies and private institutions to restore this vital link to our maritime history, it appears that after 60 years of hope, the Falls of Clyde may face an unfortunate end — either dismantling or burial at sea.
This juxtaposition of maritime grandeur and neglect is a sad commentary on our priorities, and an urgent call to reconsider how we value and protect our maritime heritage.
Roger G. Rose
Kaimuki
EXPRESS YOURSELF
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.
>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.
>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813
>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter