San Francisco Named Home Port for Missouri

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco, whose voters overwhelmingly opposed nuclear weapons, today was named home port for the nuclear-capable battleship Missouri as the Navy passed up a berth in Long Beach or Honolulu.

Announcement of the Navy’s decision was made by Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) in a news conference with Mayor Dianne Feinstein as a City Hall celebration of San Francisco’s 209th birthday began.

The Missouri’s presence could be worth up to $60 million in annual payrolls in San Francisco, according to the Navy. Feinstein has said that the city could benefit from another $70 million a year in related expenditures.

The 41-year-old Missouri, site for the formal surrender by the Japanese to the Allies to end World War II, has been refurbished in a $475-million project to give it ability to carry Tomahawk cruise missiles with conventional or nuclear warheads.

Several months of review by the Navy of potential homes for the ship developed a split in San Francisco between anti-nuclear factions and those favoring the military presence.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 6 to 3 against the Missouri, but Feinstein vetoed the action.

U.S. Rep. Sala Burton (D-San Francisco) had opposed the city’s becoming the ship’s new home, citing a 1983 election in which 73% of San Francisco voters opposed nuclear weapons.