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Fort Trumbull State Park Hosts the USS Stephen W. Groves For July 4 Holiday Weekend

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Stephen W. Groves will visit New London for the upcoming July 4 holiday weekend. It will be docked at Fort Trumbull State Park, Pier #7, and available for tours from Thursday, July 3 through Saturday, July 5 from 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m. There is no fee to tour the ship.

During the visit of the USS Stephen W. Groves, fishing access at Fort Trumbull State Park will be closed after sunset. Anglers are recommended to use alternate sites, including Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme, DEP Marine Headquarters in Old Lyme, or downtown New London's water park. Unlimited fishing access at Fort Trumbull State Park will resume on Monday, July 7, 2003.

"The DEP and State of Connecticut are very proud to have a recently commissioned Navy ship available for park visitors to enjoy during the July 4^th holiday weekend," said David K. Leff, Deputy Commissioner of the DEP. "Working through the 'Ship to Shore' program which is organized by the State, the City of New London, and the

Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, enables all interested groups to showcase and provide tours of historic seaworthy vessels to those visitors who would not have the ships available to them otherwise."

The 4,100 ton, 453 foot USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29) was built by Bath Iron Works Corporation in Bath, Maine. With a crew of 24 officers and 189 enlisted personnel, she is the 23^rd Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate, and was commissioned on April 17, 1982. After commissioning, the USS Stephen W. Groves commenced a long process to become a Fleet Operational warship. The ship's primary mission is to provide in-depth protection for military and merchant shipping, amphibious task forces, and to provide protection to aircraft carriers.

Also highlighted at the Fort Trumbull State Park Visitor Center, New London and at Fort Griswold State Park in Groton this holiday weekend is a 28-minute video, entitled, "Resolved To Be Free", narrated by Katharine Hepburn and produced by Fenwick Productions in 1976. This video is an overview of the Revolutionary War, with specific focus on the Battle of Groton Heights and the burning of New London during the Revolutionary War. The video will be shown as a tribute to Katharine Hepburn during the following dates and times:

Fort Griswold State Park Monument House in Groton:
Wednesday, July 2 - Sunday, July 6 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Fort Trumbull State Park Visitor Center in New London:
Wednesday, July 2 - Sunday, July 6 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

For more information on Connecticut State Parks, visit the DEP website at: www.dep.state.ct.us

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