Spent a few hours touring two of three ships docked at Patriot's Point, the first being "The Ship That Would Not Die," the most decorated W.W. II era Destroyer that remains,
The U.S.S. Laffey. First boarding the long narrow vessel, one expects a typical walk-through above and below decks, but spend the time to engage the displays and the awe deepens considering all this ship and her crews endured. We did eventually move on to the
U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-10), a "small town" of its own--so large (though dwarfed by today's carriers), it was difficult to capture well everything this massive ship delivered.
I strongly recommend a visit in Spring or Fall when temps are more comfortable. Also, arriving early in the day will give one opportunity to tour the submarine,
U.S.S. Clagamore as well as take in The Vietnam Experience.
Astounding, nonetheless. Please find below a sampling of our experience on board these two vessels (I'm not posting all 200 pics. Also note that some rooms are so tiny that I had to use the "panorama" setting to capture as much as possible) and be encouraged to be inspired by these vessels, the sailors and pilots of days gone by--and bless those who serve us still today.
 |
| Looking up to The U.S.S. Yorktown from The U.S.S. Laffey |
U.S.S. Laffey pics begin
 |
| Through the porthole to The Vietnam Experience |
 |
| Torpedo Launcher |
 |
| The Bridge |
 |
| Ship's Wheel and navigation |
 |
| View from the Captain's Chair |
 |
| Sitting in the Captain's Chair |
 |
| In the Command Iinformation Center (CIC) |
 |
| An intensely stern view of the U.S.S. Yorktown |
The U.S.S. Yorktown
 |
Sitting in the cockpit of a TF-9F Cougar plane
A list of her planes are found here. |
 |
| The Brig |
