Savannah orders historic ship removed

SAVANNAH - A 19th-century ship once the site of swank parties for Savannah socialites now has a two-month notice to ship out forever. <br> <br> The Barba Negra, a three-masted Norwegian trading ship built in 1895, has been docked at Savannah&#39;s riverfront for free for 22 years. <br> <br> But the ship is now semi-submerged and peeling from disrepair. The county recently bought a 20-acre parcel of land alongside the Barba Negra and told the owner to remove the vessel within 60 days. <br> <br> It&#39;s not the first time local officials have tried to get rid of the ship they call an eyesore. <br> <br> Earlier this year, owner Gerhard Schwisow told the county the boat would be gone by March; however, he now cites finances and alligators for reasons why the boat hasn&#39;t budged. <br> <br> ``He keeps promising, but it hasn&#39;t moved,&#39;&#39; said Patrick Monahan, assistant Chatham County manager, adding, ``our patience has grown thin.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Last summer, the 106-year-old maritime ship relocated to the Hutchinson Island from River Street. A few days later, it sank from a heavy rain. <br> <br> When if first came to Savannah in 1978, tourists paid between $3 and $4 to board the ship and learn about maritime life. It also held youth programs. <br> <br> ``It was quaint,&#39;&#39; said George Bouchea, a fire marshal. ``I loved the smell of pitch and tar on it.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> In 1989, the ship underwent $200,000 worth of work to repair a hull destroyed by beetles. <br> <br> Problems began to plague the ship again in 1998, when Schwisow and his partner, Frank Schwindler, had disagreements over the ship&#39;s restoration work. <br> <br> Schwisow said the community slowly stopped donating for the ship&#39;s repair after Schwindler was convicted of child molestation. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s grossly unfair that the city and businesses that could help are all turning their back on the Barba Negra,&#39;&#39; Schwisow said. <br> <br> As a small business owner, Schwisow said all the money he makes goes back to the ship. <br> <br> ``I&#39;m not asking for anything anymore, and I&#39;m not a beggar,&#39;&#39; he said. <br> <br> Harry McDonald, a county official, said safety concerns are more important than nostalgia. <br> <br> ``It is a significant historical vessel,&#39;&#39; McDonald said. ``We would hate to see it in pieces, too, but our main concern is to see it above the water and that it doesn&#39;t become a threat to navigation.&#39;&#39;