An aerial view of Norfolk Naval Station, the largest naval base in the world. (Christopher Stoltz/U.S. Navy)
NORFOLK, Va. (Tribune News Service) — What remains of the Spirit of Norfolk after a nearly five-day blaze was towed early Sunday morning to a privately owned shipyard in the historic Berkley section of Norfolk.
The boat was taken along the Norfolk waterfront from Naval Station Norfolk — where crews extinguished the fire — to Colonna’s Shipyard.
The blaze broke out around midday Tuesday when more than 100 passengers were on board — many of them children — but no injuries were reported.
The blaze was extinguished by Saturday morning, according to a news release from the Unified Command for the Spirit of Norfolk. Crews spent the day removing water from what was left of the boat and ensuring it would be safe to tow.
Investigators say the fire seems to have started in the engine room, but the cause still has not been determined. The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are handling the investigation.
The parent company of the ship’s management said Thursday that the boat was likely “a loss.”
The ship, which was built in 1992, was one of the city’s most iconic attractions and has held many weddings, graduation parties, proms, birthdays and school field trips over the years.
———
©2022 The Virginian-Pilot.
Visit pilotonline.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
