Mighty Mo Vandalized During Oregon Stay

Tue., June 2, 1998

From Staff

Three teenagers are suspected of cutting a mooring line to the USS Missouri - one of several acts of vandalism the historic battleship has endured during its weeklong stay.

Authorities say the 9-inch thick, braided rope was a secondary, backup line and the ship was never in danger.

But the Missouri, where the Japanese signed the Instrument of Surrender that ended World War II, sustained other damage over the weekend.

Authorities say some visitors carved their initials in the teak deck, stole wooden plugs from the flooring and scrawled their initials and comments on the metal walls.

Astoria Fire Chief Lane Wintermute said he thought the graffiti, done with felt-tip markers, could be cleaned off.

More than 80,000 visitors have flocked to see the Mighty Mo, which was towed into port last Tuesday from Bremerton, Wash.

The ship leaves under tow this morning for Hawaii, where it will be turned into a museum next to the USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor.

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Mighty Mo Vandalized During Oregon Stay

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