Historic warship will be staying in Philadelphia

Associated Press
FILE - This Aug. 30, 2010 file photo shows the USS Olympia, which served as flagship of the Asiatic Squadron in the Spanish-American War, in Philadelphia. Caretakers for the historic steel cruiser say they've ended an effort to find another home for the ship and they're keeping it in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Caretakers for a historic steel cruiser from the Spanish-American War say they have ended an effort to find another home for it and are keeping it in Philadelphia.

The Independence Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing had been looking for a new home for the USS Olympia for four years.

The rusting 344-foot-long warship needs repairs costing millions of dollars, money the museum doesn't have. It hasn't been dry-docked since 1945.

The search for a new owner yielded proposals from California and South Carolina. But museum president John Brady said Wednesday a review panel determined neither group had viable long-term plans in place.

Brady says the museum will promote tours and new activities on the Olympia while a $20 million national fundraising campaign gets underway.