USS Aries Hydrofoil Museum
Introduction
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Established in 2009 by three Missouri businessmen, the USS Aries Hydrofoil Museum is dedicated to preserving the very last of the six Pegasus-class hydrofoil ships that were built in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They differed from regular boats in that they used hydrofoils, which look similar to and function like airplane wings. The purpose of the hydrofoils was to lift the vessel out of the water to provide a smooth, maneuverable ride even at high speeds. The Navy used them as fast attack patrol boats and they were ideal for coastal defense. They were especially effective in combating the drug trade. As for the current status of the USS Aries, it appears that as of Summer 2019 the boat is nearly restored. The museum also features several other boats: the Boeing Fresh-1, President Nixon's Volga, Dynafoil, Water Spyder, and the HI-Foil-2.
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The USS Aries was built in 1981 and operated until 1993. It is the only one remaining of the six hydrofoils the Navy built.
Backstory and Context
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The USS Aries was built by Boeing and launched on November 5, 1981 and commissioned on November 23, 1982 in Key West, Florida, its homeport. It was powered with two Mercedes-Benz diesel engines for regular sailing and a gas turbine, which is what enabled it to hydrofoil and reach a top speed of 55mph. The Aries earned the nickname "Corvette of the seas" for how fast agile it was. It participated in its first law enforcement operation in February 1983 in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The USS Aries was decommissioned on July 30, 1993. The Navy decided to decommission the Pegasus hydrofoils because they were expensive to operate, among other considerations. The museum founders sailed the Aries from Charleston, South Carolina to Brunswick, Missouri where the restoration process began. Eventually, the vessel was relocated to Gasconade. The museum gradually acquired its other vessels in the ensuing years.
The USS Aries was decommissioned on July 30, 1993. The Navy decided to decommission the Pegasus hydrofoils because they were expensive to operate, among other considerations. The museum founders sailed the Aries from Charleston, South Carolina to Brunswick, Missouri where the restoration process began. Eventually, the vessel was relocated to Gasconade. The museum gradually acquired its other vessels in the ensuing years.
Sources
Lu, Jennifer. "From the high seas to Missouri, hydrofoil awaits its awakening:
Three Missouri businessmen gave new life to the last Pegasus-class hydrofoil." Missourian. December 10, 2015. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/from-the-high-seas-to-missouri-hydrofoil-awaits-its-awakening/article_e76d7d6c-9db9-11e5-96a1-7f8ea49eb7a8.html.
Mizokami, Kyle. "When the U.S. Navy Had Tiny Hot Rods That Flew Over the Sea." Popular Mechanics. December 23, 2015. https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a18702/us-navy-pegasus-hydrofoils.