Image courtesy of zootpatrol.com
USS New York (LPD-21) is the fifth ship in a new class of warship designed to be used in missions including special operations against terrorists. She is expected to carry 300 sailors and 700 Marines. The combat-ready Marines will be delivered ashore by helicopter and assault craft.
24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center were melted down in a foundry in Amite, Louisiana, and used in her construction. Her bow section includes 7½ tons of WTC steel. An observer remarked that the steelworkers treated the molten steel with complete reverence as it was poured into the mould in September 2003. Her keel was laid in August 2004 and she was christened on 1st March, 2008 at Northrop Grumman’s Avondale shipyard in Louisiana.
USS New York has twin towers on her superstructure and her motto is ‘Never Forget’.
Image courtesy of website maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com
One can only imagine the emotions of her crew as they begin their service aboard her. The following is taken from the official website of the USS New York commissioning http://www.ussny.org/ship.phpThe Ship's Crest
- Seven rays of sunlight signify the crown atop the Statue of Liberty and the seven seas.
- Central focus placed on the Twin Towers and the bow of the ship, forged from Twin Towers steel.
- Breastplate of the phoenix bears the colors of first responders from the New York Police Department, New York Fire Department, and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
- Blood drops represent the fallen.
- Three stars for those earned by the battleship USS NEW YORK (BB34) in World War II at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and North Africa.
Thank you for this post, Janice.
ReplyDeleteI never knew they used the steel from the fallen towers to make this special ship.
There couldn't be a better way to pay tribute to everyone affected by the horrific events on that faithful day.
The thought behind this ship, the emblem..everything points towards the undying human spirit.
May such a tragedy NEVER happen again.
We, in India, can relate so well....
I can barely imagine how those young people must feel, knowing their ship contains steel from the Twin Towers. I think, when they first came aboard, they'd have had tears in their eyes. Then, perhaps they'd dash the tears away and replace incipient sadness with determination.
ReplyDeleteI pray they do not feel anger, nor an overwhelming desire for revenge.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
I was reading about the USS New York just last week. She is a beautiful ship.
ReplyDeleteA very moving account of this new ship. The emblem
ReplyDeleteis a beautiful visual memorial. I had to read about this in your blog - thank you!