"After nearly 30 years, the sun could be setting on the USS Hornet's time at Alameda Point. The chairman of the ship's board of directors, Sam LaMonica, confirmed to ABC7 News he's exploring ways to move the aircraft carrier to San Francisco. "We don't get any government funding at all so we have to rely entirely on attendance by our visitors and membership to be able to fund us," said LaMonica."
"The aircraft carrier has a long history. After being commissioned in 1944 and serving in WWII, it then went on to be a part of several famous events. "We actually recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts, who were the first astronauts to ever walk on the moon," LaMonica said. Although decommissioned in the 1970s, the Hornet has been a museum since 1998."
"While the ship's Alameda departure isn't for certain, news of the possibility came as a shock to several locals. "Oh my God! Why do they want to move it?" said Deborah Harrod. Harrod says she would be devastated if the Hornet left. "I took my grandson when he was nine, he's now 29. We've seen thousands of things open up on there: the barbershop, the post office, the captain's quarters," she said."
The USS Hornet's board is exploring relocating the aircraft carrier from Alameda Point to San Francisco to boost visitor numbers and revenue. The board cites a lack of government funding and reliance on admissions and memberships for financial support. The ship served in World War II after commissioning in 1944 and participated in notable events, including recovering the Apollo 11 astronauts. Local residents reacted with shock and concern about losing the long-standing museum. The board is evaluating several piers along the San Francisco waterfront and plans a five-year timeframe to research logistics, costs, and funding. The Hornet has operated as a museum since 1998.
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
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