May 29, 2007
My Memorial Weekend
The first fleet week that I can ever remember was during our country's bicentenial celebration. I remember it vividly because the impressive US Naval fleet took center stage for the first time in our State's history, and showed off its amazing power and technology.
The ship I remember the most, and not only because of its impressive size, was the beautiful ship below - The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). It was just a few years old when it sailed down the mighty Hudson along with its sister ships, but its newness was not what captured my heart. What swept me off my feet was seeing the the tender message written across it's platform, "I [heart] NY" by a formation of sailors standing at attention. Now that's impressive! They didn't even know us and yet they loved us. That message was displayed every time they visited NY for an official celebration. The picture below was from its Fleet Week visit in July of 1999.
So why am I telling you landlubbers about this ship? 2 reasons: It was decommissioned 2 months ago and will not be returning to NYC; as a result, my love affair with this impressive vessel is forced to be over. [sniff, sniff]
I now must find a new love. So to fill my hearts void, and see how lucky I could get [figuratively, I'm not that easy!] I went in search of a new love this past weekend. Yes folks, I trolled the piers for a bit of wanderlush. But more about that tomorrow. For today, enjoy the view!
Side conversation: Hey blog daddy, what happens to ships when they're decommissioned? And do crusty old sailors suffer the same fate? Inquiring minds want to know.
Posted by Michele at May 29, 2007 12:18 PMThat is an absolutely fantastic photo.
Please send me the full sized version.
I have a new desktop for my brother's house, who was in the Navy.
what a great picture.
Posted by: wRitErsbLock at May 29, 2007 05:48 PMBeautiful.
Posted by: vw bug at May 29, 2007 06:44 PMOh, I love the Kennedy. It was my daddy's ship and he sailed its shake-down cruise. I too was so sad to have it decommissioned.
Posted by: Mrs. Who at May 29, 2007 06:50 PMMrs. Who:
what's a shake-down cruise. Is that when the big ships troll the harbors and hold up smaller ships at cannon point for their supplies? Come to think of it, maybe you can tell me what happens to ships when they're decommissioned?
And how come some helicopters can be used 50 years later but ships average about 30 years before they're put out to pasture? Maybe I outta ask Sgt. Hook. Oh, while I'm bombarding you with questions tell me, how the heck are you?
Posted by: michele at May 29, 2007 07:56 PMWhoa, whoa, whoa...one question at a time, lol!
The shakedown cruise is an initial trip to test the ship and its capabilities.
When they're decommissioned, they can become museums (like the USS Alabama in Mobile, AL), or even made into reefs (like the USS Oriskany which now resides on the ocean floor just south of Pensacola, FL. YouTube has a good video of its sinking and subsequent dives on it.)
As for your other questions, I have no earthly idea. The Who-Daddy is out of town right now and I can't ask him.
Oh, one question I can answer...I'm doing fine now that the school year has only one more day left!
How are you?
Posted by: Mrs. Who at May 29, 2007 08:28 PMI've lived in this city all my live, and stuff like that still takes my breath away. It's an absolutely unbelievable photo. Everytime I go into Lower Manhattan (I'll be there tomorrow night, in fact), I'm still blown away by the giganticness of the towering skyscrapers and all manner of big buildings. Goodness, I [heart] NY, too.
Posted by: Erica at May 29, 2007 09:10 PMI am so excited to see NYC for the first time on Friday morning!!! That's a wonderful photo and I think it's so sweet that they put that message on the ship when they were there.
Posted by: Chickie at May 30, 2007 09:26 AMSo that is what shake-down cruises are, well then my Uncle-in-law has been on many.
He works for a Contractor to the Navy and has done many initial sail tests, including the Cole after it was repaired. He loves doing those.
Posted by: Quality Weenie at May 30, 2007 02:03 PMA mighty powerful sight! I'll never forget when they hauled all us little rugrats to the docks for the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, back in '57. Wasn't but knee-high to a grasshopper then. But that impressive show of naval superiority has stayed with me my whole life.
Posted by: Cappy at May 30, 2007 06:04 PMFound the answer:
http://badexample.mu.nu/archives/228632.php
Posted by: Harvey at June 1, 2007 01:18 PM