Shake-Down to Alameda
In late February we decided to do a Shake-Down to the Ballena Bay Yacht Club in Alameda (8NM). A lovely day for a cruise with our good friend Keith. The transit was just a little over an hour. We want to be certain that our systems are running well in preparation for our trip north toward Alaska. Also, we have the Cummins engine service department meeting us in Alameda to do a service on the engines prior to our departure north.
Nice day for a cruise across the bay to Alameda
The USS Hornet at Old Alameda Point
A nice surprise to have Chris Adams join us in Alameda
Ballena Bay Alameda
Beautiful sunset views from our slip in the harbor
This is where they keep some of the best views of SF
The very friendly and welcoming Ballena Bay Yacht Club. Thank you for the beers Keith!
Like those Ballena Bay YC burgees
Independence looking pretty in her slip this evening
Our good friend Brian Kennedy is a volunteer on the USS Hornet so we are lucky enough to get a private tour
I’m ready Mav! The USS Hornet is also a Sea, Air and Space Museum. Save a good chunk of time to see all the displays.
Coms - old school
The Bakery, Kitchen and Mess. The USS Hornet was a ‘floating city’ with 2,919 officers and enlisted on board during wartime. A full time/round the clock job to keep people fed….
….clothed (mending and cleaning of uniforms and boots)…
…and fit, with gym equipment. A display of women’s uniforms…however I do not believe they were able to serve on board this aircraft carrier.
The flight deck is 814 feet by 86 feet. There is a hangar deck that is 546 feet by 63 feet and 17 inches high. The ship has three elevators measuring 48 feet by 44 feet with a lifting capacity of 17,000 pounds. The Hornet was originally commissioned as a straight-deck carrier, but from 1951 to 1956 she underwent a modernization to an angled deck, permitting the simultaneous launch and recovery of aircraft. In addition she was fitted with a pair of hydraulic catapults, which ran parallel to one another off the bow of the ship. In World War II, the air groups consisted of a fighter (VF) squadron, a bombing (VB) squadron and a torpedo (VT) squadron. In the 1950’s with the evolution of warfare technology the addition of electronic/early warning, photo-reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The USS Hornet fought in the battle of Midway and many others in the Pacific Theater. During her 18 months of combat she shot down 668 Japanese planes, destroyed 742 Japanese planes on the ground, sunk 73 enemy ships and damaged another 413. The USS Hornet was decommissioned in 1970. ( Info courtesy of The USS Hornet website uss-hornet.org).
Our fabulous tour guide and friend, Brian Kennedy. Thank you for a great tour!
From google.com “On July 24th, 1969, the USS Hornet recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, from the first moon landing mission. The aircraft carrier spotted the fireball at 4:40 AM, and the astronauts were hoisted into a recovery helicopter and flown to the Hornet”. There is so much to see at the USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum (a Smithsonian Affiliate), visit soon! uss-hornet.org