Here are some pictures and an article on the recent refitting of the USS Massachusetts BB59. She's a floating museum in Fall River and it's a really cool naval museum to check out if you ever get the opportunity. I was happy to see the state was willing to spend the money on her instead of letting her rot away.
If they had saved the Enterprise, then they wouldn't have been able to have a new ship. I like the idea that Enterprise is the worlds first nuclear powered aircraft carrier and that it is still going strong after 41 years in service.
Some parts of the Big E have survived. The ships Bell and the sternplate to name a few.
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ranger-75 [B]If they had saved the Enterprise, then they wouldn't have been able to have a new ship. I like the idea that Enterprise is the worlds first nuclear powered aircraft carrier and that it is still going strong after 41 years in service.
Some parts of the Big E have survived. The ships Bell and the sternplate to name a few. [/B][/QUOTE]
USS Constellation CV65(?) was commissioned with same name as the brig in Baltimore. Just decommission the puppy and all is well. Frigate Constitution still commissioned so no new ship of that name.
It's amazing that out of all the cool mothballed ships in the 50's, only ESSEXes, a 1st and a few 3rd generation BBs, plus a few cruisers, subs and destroyers survived, none of which stand out as WWII veterans when compared to ships such as San Francisco, Enterprise and Saratoga, examples of prewar 1500 ton DDs and pre Gato subs etc. Pity.:(
Not to mention historic ships of the Royal Navy....I'd go see Warspite in a second.:)
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No to mention the recent scrapping of the Dedalo {ex. Monterrey(?)}. Have been aboard the USS Alabam down in Mobile more times than I can remember. The USS Kidd down in Baton Rouge is in spectacular condition. The prize among them all for me is the USS North Carolina. The first US fast battleship built and 3 year home of my grandfather from 1943 to 1946. She is about to undergo a restoration process as well.
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[I]Saratoga[/I] and [I]Enterprise[/I] would have been the two that I would have wanted to be able to see. [I]Enterprise[/I] was in every carrier battle except for Coral Sea.
I grew up in MA and went aboard "Big Mamie" about 10 years ago, but it was late in the day and I couldn't spend long. A few times I've driven across the bridge downriver from her berth and saw her moored.
An impressive spectacle from that bridge. Too bad the veiw from there wasn't better...
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Its great that the Mass. has chosen to preserve that wonderful artifact.
In my own state the lack of foresight is very sad. The USS California BB-44, was built at Mare Island Navy Yard, California. She slowly sank into the mud at Pearl after the attack, but was raised and went on to a distinquished career in the Pacific, including fighting in the battle line on 25 October 1944 Battle of Surigao Strait in the last battleship on battleship engagement.
She was scarped at Mare Island Navy Yard, California in the 1950's. The same yard where she was built! Talk about a tragic waste of a potential memorial.
Right now is looks like the State of California is going to "steal" the USS Iowa (Congressional fight may loom) and make it into a memorial in San Fransico Bay.
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ron Saueracker [B]I'd like to see the St. Louis returned from South America if not already gone to the breakers. [/B][/QUOTE]She could let the Brits break her up like they did the other WWII cruiser in the Falklands...:D
If anyone else finds themselves down on the lowermost platform deck inside the open Machinery space, look for the disposible camera i dropped while climbing down to that level. Oh and bring a flashlight.....its dark down there.
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The best view of the USS Massachusetts is from the air. Once when taking the Delta Shuttle to NYC it flew right over her at what would have been good dive bombing altitude. You also get a good idea as to how these ships could be misidentified from higher altitudes.
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Hi, I was stationed at the Philadelphia ship yard in the late 80's when Shangra la CV-38 (I think) was towed away by Dutch tugs to be scrapped. She was concidered a hazzard so no one was allowed to go onboard.
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Was that an Essex Class?
My dad was on the USS Kitty Hawk back in '68. He was taxi'd over to Vietnam on her (along with the rest of the 27th Marines). That's the closest I've been to an actual carrier :(
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I saw this old protected Greek cruiser from the air while leaving Athens, not knowing she existed. It was like travelling back in time. Three funnels, twin turrets, tripod masts...cool looking. Going to take a tour when my other niece in Greece gets married.
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Kitty Hawk is a post WW2 "super carrier" built after 1950. I last saw her in San Diego last year.
I work at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard so I see ships come and go all the time. Currently we have the Big E finishing her availablity. In fact I witnessed her entry and departure from dry dock 8 (the largest dry dock in the USA) this year. About two months ago I had the bow of the Big E facing my work center on one side and the Truman on the other side.
Accross the river lies the Wisconsin in downtown Norfolk and further down the way the worlds largest Naval Base.
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Proteus [B]Kitty Hawk is a post WW2 "super carrier" built after 1950. I last saw her in San Diego last year.
I work at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard so I see ships come and go all the time. Currently we have the Big E finishing her availablity. In fact I witnessed her entry and departure from dry dock 8 (the largest dry dock in the USA) this year. About two months ago I had the bow of the Big E facing my work center on one side and the Truman on the other side.
Accross the river lies the Wisconsin in downtown Norfolk and further down the way the worlds largest Naval Base. [/B][/QUOTE]
Too bad ya can't take photos and post 'em for us.;)
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The New Jersey is moored across the river from me now and is a floating museum in the works. One of these days I'll get up from the PC to pay her a visit.
Have to agree there. Texas is the most interesting of the USN BB's to visit because of her unique-ness....the last surviving example of the 'Dreadnought' era (though technically, modern BB's are also "Dreadnoughts" :) )
For those not fortunate as of yet to see the old girl, Warships1 has posted my photo-tour of the ship from back in 1999. Includes a couple semi-decent shots taken from inside the forward Tripod mast.
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Proteus [B]Kitty Hawk is a post WW2 "super carrier" built after 1950. I last saw her in San Diego last year.
I work at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard so I see ships come and go all the time. Currently we have the Big E finishing her availablity. In fact I witnessed her entry and departure from dry dock 8 (the largest dry dock in the USA) this year. About two months ago I had the bow of the Big E facing my work center on one side and the Truman on the other side.
Accross the river lies the Wisconsin in downtown Norfolk and further down the way the worlds largest Naval Base. [/B][/QUOTE]
Hi, I was stationed at the Ship Yard in Philly and worked on both Kitty Hawk and Independece for their Service Life Extension Programs (SLEP) in 86-87
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When I lived in NY, I used to drive by the Intrepid all the time, but I never went in to see it. There's a couple of WW-II subs moored with it too. It's a real nice museum, but traffic getting to it is hell, it being right at 42nd St & 12th Ave.
Don't forget about Hornet, Lexington, and Yorktown. All three are preserved as museum ships. If you go visit South Carolina go to Patriot's Point and check out the Yorktown along with the USS Laffey and several other ships. They also have lots of planes.
My fav place to go, though, is the National Museum of Naval Aviation located at NAS Pensacola. It's a truly remarkable location. I heard they were working on getting an example of an F2A Buffalo and a TBD Devastator. Haven't heard any updates in awhile though.
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Has anyone seen the USS Olympia in Philadelphia? I'm thinking of a trip to see it one of these years. I didn't know she still existed until I read a flyer I got with the Avalanche game, 1898.
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