The USS New York transits New York harbor past the World Trader Center site, Nov. 2, 2009.
Credit: U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist Eric Durie | ©Navy.mil Public Domain
Commissioned in New York City
The USS New York, a U.S. Navy transport ship built with World Trade Center Steel as a tribute to 9/11, arrived in New York City harbor today. The ship will be formally inducted into the Navy's fleet this week and is open to all public visitors free of charge with a photo I.D."It is an honor to be associated with the ship," Commanding Officer F. Curt Jones said. "I have members of my crew that joined the Navy as a direct result of 9/11. I have crewmembers that have lost family members on 9/11. I have met numerous people as a result of being associated with the ship that lost family, friends...so we know that the steel that is part of the ship represents in some fashion those people. It represents loss but for us it also represents hope and we keep both of those things close to us," he added.
The USS New York is a transport ship known as an LPD, or landing platform dock. Theses LPD's are made to carry expeditionary forces and cargo for modern day combat. The New York will support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and can serve as a secondary aviation platform for amphibious ready groups. Able to assemble in various configurations, the New York can carry landing craft used for beach deployments by Marines and Special Forces personnel.
In a passenger carrying status, the New York can transport over 600 Marines. In a cargo carrying capacity, the New York can transport 3 different types of helicopters or landing craft platforms. The ship's crew is made up of 360 Sailors and 3 Marines. Of the 360 sailors, 28 are ship officers.
The USS New York has garnered widespread publicity this year. The ship's crew- members were part of the New York Yankees pre-game ceremonies on 9/11. One sailor from the crew was a guest blogger for the New York Post last month. The ship has an official website, blog, and U.S. Navy site. The commanding officer of the ship has even offered a virtual plank ownership to those interested.
The USS New York will support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and can serve as a secondary aviation platform for amphibious ready groups.
Comments
I am very offended by the previous comment. This isn't a subject for humor. Almost 3,000 people died at the World Trade Center on September 11, and 13 people were murdered at Fort Hood by a home-grown terrorist last week. I visited the USS New York on November 9, and it greatly exceeded my expectations. The exhibition was extremely well run, informative, and very moving.
Well, this is an odd twist on recycling...
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