The USS WASP (LHD-1), which is the lead ship of a class of multipurpose amphibious assault ships. This Navy-Marine Corps team's amphibious warship, has as its primary mission the support of a Marine Landing Force. USS WASP and her sister ships are the first specifically designed to accommodate new Landing Craft, Air Cushion for fast troop movement over the beach and Harrier II (AV-8B) Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing jets which provide close-in air support for the assault force. LHD-1, which is 844 feet long with a beam of 106 feet, also accommodates the full range of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, conventional landing craft, and amphibious vehicles.

To carry out its primary mission, USS WASP has an assault support system that synchronizes the simultaneous horizontal and vertical flow of troops, cargo and vehicles throughout the ship. Two aircraft elevators service the hangar bay and flight deck. Six cargo elevators, each 12 by 25 feet, are used to transport material and supplies from the 100,000 cubic foot cargo holds throughout the ship to staging areas on the flight deck, hangar bay and vehicle storage area. Cargo is transferred to waiting landing craft docked within the ship's 13,000 square foot, 266 foot long, well deck. Helicopters in the hangar bay or on the flight deck are cargo-loaded by forklift.

For the comfort of the 1,075 crewmembers and 1,600 embarked troops, all manned spaces and berthing areas are individually heated and air conditioned. Onboard recreational facilities include a state-of-the-art Library Multi-Media Resource Center with Internet access, a weight room, arcade machines and satellite television capabilities.

USS WASP's two steam propulsion plants--the largest currently in operation in the U.S. Navy--generate a total of 400 tons of steam per hour. The propulsion system develops 70,000 shaft horsepower, powering the ship to speeds in excess of 22 knots. USS Wasp was built using more than 21,000 tons of steel, 400 tons of aluminum, and 400 miles of electrical/electronic cables. The WASP weighed more than 27,000 tons when moved onto the Ingalls Shipping floating dry-dock on July 30, 1987 for launch on August 4, 1987, becoming the largest man-made object rolled across land. [Pictures and information courtesy of the U. S. Navy.]

Tomorrow: The Men & Women of the USS Wasp [Yes, a litttle eye candy for my blog brothers and sisters].

Posted by: Michele at 06:42 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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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 12:18 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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A poem to honor those who gave their lives for our country.

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the sky.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
'Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

~ Anonymous

Posted by: Michele at 12:15 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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