We have long awaited further word on the fate of the ‘IRON LADY’ of the Pacific, and the USS CABOT Association just sent us a copy of their newsletter (the CLARION) and gave us permission to reprint the following editorial.

“Early in December, the American Academy of Industry made an offer to the CABOT/DEDALO Museum Foundation for the purchase of the ship. The offer was a generous one of nearly one million dollars. This offer was turned down out of hand, by Sayani Enterprises of Singapore, major creditor of the CABOT/DEDALO Foundation. The CABOT/DEDALO Foundation made neither a counter offer nor a suggestion of a counter offer. Immediately they set to work on another request for an export license without even the courtesy of saying they were breaking off negotiations. In the meantime, we replied to the Foundation’s ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MOU) by certified letter, return receipt requested. Our letter suggested a face-to-face meeting in New Orleans to discuss the issues in the MOU. Our certified letter was returned unopened on January 10. So much for good faith negotiations!

“By mid-January rumors were heard that the Foundation had requested an export license from the Department of State. The rumors were confirmed by a Department of State letter dated February 8 to the American Academy of Industry. The letter was received by the Academy on February 14. It was obvious that the Foundation had no intentions of good faith communications, let alone good faith negotiations.”

The editorial continued with items that pertain only to the CABOT Veterans, but here is what I suggest - write letters. If you really care about saving a piece of American history, write. If you care about saving a piece of naval history - write. Send a letter to both your Senators and to your congressman (if you are a US citizen).

• Ask the Department of State for a PERMANENT denial of an export license for the purpose of scrapping the ship;
• Ask the Congress that, in the event an export license is granted, that the CABOT/DEDALO Foundation be required to return the TWO MILLION dollars that the Congress already appropriated for the preservation of this ship.

I know of a quiet effort by some who are trying to find some way to bring criminal charges against various people associated with this situation and others who are trying to find a way to have Non-profit status of Legion Post 377 revoked. This will not fade away quietly as some in the New Orleans area hope. This piece of history must be preserved, and everyone interested in historic preservation must step forward and do what they can to save this ship.

Also write to all of these people, demanding they stop the rush to sell this piece of history to a scrapyard. Write to:

Mr. William Lowell, Director
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
Office of Defense-Trade Controls
Washington, DC 20520-0602

Ms. Gerri Hobdy
State Historic Preservation Officer
Louisiana State Historic Pres. Office
P. O. Box 44247
Baton Rouge, LA 70804

And also write to:

Ms. Claudia Nissley, Director
Western Office of Review
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
730 Simmers Street #401
Golden, CO 80401

Mr. Martin Heckler, President
American Academy of Industry
P. O. Box 293
Chicago Ridge, IL 60415

While you are at it, you might wish to write, FAX or call the guys at the CABOT/DEDALO Foundation, which is connected with Legion Post 377 in Keener, a suburb of New Orleans and let them know what you think of them. I refuse to put the word ‘AMERICAN’ in front of the word Legion in this case. What would you call a group of Americans who are trying so hard to send a piece of American and naval history to a scrapyard? I know what I would call them, but we have already given our attorney enough ulcers for today.

Let them know what you think of a group that is doing everything possible to turn a priceless piece of history into cash at the scrapyard. The address for Legion Post 377 and the CABOT/DEDALO Foundation at the same. It is:

2110 Idaho Street
Keener, LA 70062

The Chairman of the Board is Alexander Sheffield. The phone number for the post and for the Foundation is (504) 468-2107. The FAX number is (504) 467-9331. Mr. Sheffield’s home telephone number is (504) 733-2747.

To our new Members, USS CABOT was the most highly-decorated ‘baby’ flat-top of the war. During one attack, a Kamikaze crashed into the side of the ship and killed three dozen American sailors. After the war, USS CABOT was given to the Spanish Navy, who re-named her DEDALO and she was the Flagship of the fleet.

Every year on the anniversary of the Kamikaze attack that killed those American sailors, the Spanish Navy conducted a Memorial service in that same compartment. The Spanish Navy gave the ship to the CABOT/DEDALO Foundation, which is linked with Legion Post 377, to use as a museum and memorial. They fumbled the ball terribly, and now they are doing everything they can to turn this piece of history into a cash crop by selling her to an Asian scrap yard. I personally find that inexcusable and I hope you do, too.

If you are a patriotic American, you must try to save this piece of your history. If you are interested in Naval History, you must try to save this piece of Naval History. Thanks in advance.