Patriots Point Closed This Week

Patriots Point is closed this week as the museum prepares for the return of the famous World War II destroyer Laffey.

The vessel dubbed “The Ship That Would Not Die" nearly sank in Charleston Harbor last year as its hull eroded from 30 years on display and exposure to salt water and the elements at Patriots Point.

But repairs are now complete, and Patriots Point wants to relocate the destroyer to a new location at the Mount Pleasant tourist attraction.

“Patriots Point officials and contractors have been working hard and fine tuning the plan to tow Laffey back to her new mooring spot at Patriots Point,” said Executive Director Mac Burdette in a news release.

Crews will remove a 60-foot section of the central pier at Patriots Point this week and then move the Laffey into a spot that's currently occupied by the submarine Clamagore.

“The fact is, we will have to take the Clamagore to dry dock in the foreseeable future," said Ray Chandler, the museum board's chairman, in a previous news release. "The future cost of a second removal of our pier section, and dealing with utilities to the ship will be greatly reduced by moving the Clamagore now.”

Relocating the two vessels and construction costs will total just more than $1 million. The Laffey was repaired with a controversial $9 million state loan, which Patriots Point thought it could repay with a grant. When the grant fell through, the museum has instead been forced to make payments on the loan.

Patriots Point plans a special ceremony to mark the Laffey's return. Veterans who served previously on the vessel will be on hand, according to a news release. Patriots Point is scheduled to re-open Friday.