USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.

The old Arctic Mill on Factory Street in West Warwick was struck by lightning last weekend, starting a fire and opening a major hole in the roof. The chain reaction also split the pavement, and a water main burst. NATCO Products Company, owners of the mill, reported their hydroelectric plant was knocked off line, as was the building's alarm sytem. The incident made the TV and radio news.

Ensuing water damage (from the roof) affected the office space into which the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc. recently moved. Furniture, computers and files were affected by the flooding, but the most damaging loss was to work in progress, such as the application to the Navy which project organizers hoped to submit to the Navy before the end of September.

"We're going to be set back a few days, there's no doubt about that," acknowledged Frank Lennon, Foundation president. "Fortunately, all of the work on computer was backed up off-premises. The photography, engineering drawings and most of the illustrations can also be reproduced, but it will take time and cost money," he concluded.

"We also suffered water damage to some historical items that were being prepared for display at the storefront we have in the Rhode Island Mall," said Robert Albee of the project's marketing staff.

Other archival items not damaged in the lightning strike were then moved to the space at the mall.

Belying the old adage about lightning striking twice, Mother Nature then dealt the project a cruel blow. About 72 hours after the West Warwick incident , mall security called Lennon, telling him to get down there right away because "Your store is flooded."

When Lennon arrived, water was pouring down the inside of the display windows and gushing out of the ceiling light fixtures. Complicated by construction work on the mall's roof, Tuesday's heavy rains evidently drained into the building. The museum's displayed inventory of T-shirts, caps and other items was soaked, as were a number of presentation boards, other exhibits and some collectibles...to include a set of prints which had escaped damage at the Factory Street location.

"Can you believe it? BOTH places were flooded within a couple of days," mused Lennon, who admits to being a bit shaken by the coincidence. "Fortunately, most of our physical loss is covered by insurance," he said. "But there's extra labor to catch up, an intangible loss of time, and a loss of momentum. Hopefully, our supporters in the community will understand."

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Last Updated:
9/29/01