Greek Ship May Sail To New York

A replica of the Greek "ship that saved democracy" could be headed for dry dock in Astoria next spring.

Local historians are working to bring the Olympias to the Big Apple in early 2008 for exhibition at metropolitan area parks and waterways and to show off the 120-foot vessel in the annual Greek Independence Day Parade along Fifth Avenue.

The trireme is an exact replica of a ship the Greeks used to defeat the Persians in 480 B.C., said Astoria activist Thomas Dellis.

Dellis, who is spearheading a local movement to bring the trireme to New York City, said the ship was built in Greece in 1987. The replica vessel, currently docked in Athens, boasts the same three tiers of rowers as its namesake, which is credited with saving Greek democracy from annihilation by the Persians.

Organizers at Trireme Trust USA have received support from Congressmember Joseph Crowley for the project.

S. Ford Weiskittel, head of Trireme Trust USA, said the group is seeking endorsement from local lawmakers, as well as financial contributions needed to fund the ship's voyage to New York City.

Weiskittel said the group hopes to put the trireme on display in Central Park and Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria. "We hope to bring the trireme, in all its glory, to a place where people can appreciate its beauty and its importance to democracy," Dellis said.- Liz Goff