The United States Department of the Navy, with the approval of Congress, may donate obsolete naval vessels to any State, city or political subdivision or to any nonprofit corporation or association. To date, four states, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Alabama and Texas, have taken advantage of this program and acquired ships which are on permanent display as war memorials for visitation by the public. It is felt that the display of such vessels serves as a tribute to the members of the Armed Forces who have served in armed conflicts in which this uat10n has engaged and provides an educational function to persons not otherwise acquainted with the history of American military activities.

During the course of 1973 it became apparent that the carrier ship U.S.S. Yorktown was due for demolition or donation by the Navy. This is the only aircraft carrier named for a Virginia locality. The ship served with distinction during the second World War and was the second carrier of such name. The Department of the Navy advised interested persons that while New York and South Carolina have both requested to receive the ship, final action on the matter of donation would be deferred pending consideration of possible acquisition by the Commonwealth. In view of these circumstances, His Excellency the Governor of Virginia requested the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to arrange for a study to be made of the desirability and feasibility of acquiring the U.S.S. Yorktown and creating a commission to own and operate it as a tourist attraction in or near the area of Yorktown, Virginia. It was further requested that such study be completed and made available prior to the 1974 Session of the General Assembly.

The Chairman of the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council; Gewis A. McMurran, Jr., appointed a committee of the Council to perform the initial study. Russell M. Carneal of Williamsburg was designated as Chairman with four other members of the Council serving with him. These members are James M. Thomson of Alexandria, C. Hardaway Marks of Hopewell, Lewis A. McMurran, Jr. of Newport News and Joseph V. Gartlan of Fairfax County. Senator Gartlan was elected to serve as Vice Chairman of the committee. The committee communicated with administrative officials in states which presently operate memorials featuring former naval vessels in order to ascertain the success of these ventures and the nature of their operating procedures. In addition, the committee heard from persons capable of providing information concerning possible site locations, procedures for acquisition of vessels, desirability of acquiring vessels, and public reaction to acquisition.

Paramount among the initial considerations in establishing desirability and feasibility is that of determining a proper site at which the vessel can be berthed. In order to make a preliminary survey of site locations a subcommittee of the committee was appointed by the chairman to include the chairman and Messrs. McMurran and Marks.

Having examined available materials and heard the report of the Committee, the Council is now able to make its report.