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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 30, 2007

Mighty Mo marks Australia Day in January

Advertiser Staff

Pearl Harbor — In honor of Australia Day, which will be observed on Jan. 26, 2008, the Battleship Missouri Memorial will offer an Australia-themed Explorer's Tour called the "Down Under Tour" throughout January.

All Battleship Missouri Memorial visitors who take the memorial's Explorer's Tour in January will automatically enjoy the enhanced, one-month-only tour, which includes an extended visit into Turret No. 1, where the interior features a hand-painted mural of Australia created by the crew during a famous port visit to the continent.

Guides will share stories that link America's last battleship to Australia, as visitors are led through restricted areas as far as three levels below the Missouri's main deck, including fire and engine rooms, battery plots, the post office, machine shop and mess hall. They will even visit Broadway, a long passageway extending more than 100 yards that connects the entrances of the four engine rooms and four firerooms.

The tour will end on the Surrender Deck, where Australia's Sir Thomas Blamey joined U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur and representatives of 10 nations on Sept. 2, 1945, to sign Japan's Instrument of Surrender, bringing World War II to a close.

"Australia has a special place in the Missouri's history book," said retired U.S. Navy Capt. Don Hess, president and chief operating officer of the memorial, in a statement. "Australia was the first of eight countries the Missouri visited during her around-the-world cruise. The people of Australian greeted the Mighty Mo and her crew with astounding enthusiasm. We are delighted to celebrate Australia Day with this special offer."

Following the Missouri's refurbishment and recommissioning in 1986, the first international port of call during her goodwill tour around the world was Sydney. More than 200,000 Australians turned out to see the Missouri during the scheduled public visiting and was reviewed along with ships of six other nations by Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.

During that time, the Missouri also took part in the 75th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy and hosted the Australian Minister of Defense, Minister of Transportation, Lord Mayor of Sydney, the U.S. Ambassador to Australia and many other dignitaries.

Australia Day is Australia's official national day and is observed as a public holiday in all states and territories. It traditionally marks the anniversary of Jan. 26, 1788, when Capt. Arthur Phillip and "The First Fleet" arrived at Sydney Cove and set up the Colony of New South Wales.

Australia Day is marked with formal ceremonies around the country, including flag raising, citizenship ceremonies, presentation of community awards, fireworks celebrations and an address to the nation from the prime minister.

The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $16 per adult and $8 per child 4 to 12. Military and kamaaina rates are $10 per adult and $5 per child. Guided tours are an additional $7 and up.

An Explorer's Tour (Down Under Tour in January) is $29 per adult and $12 per child.

For more information, call toll-free at 1-877-644-4896 (1-877-MIGHTYMO) or visit www.ussmissouri.org.