The USS Yorktown (CV-10) is an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned in 1943 and named to honor the original Yorktown (CV-5) sunk at the Battle of Midway. She served in World War II, earning 11 battle stars, and later took part in the Vietnam War and the recovery of the Apollo 8 spacecraft. Decommissioned in 1970, she is now preserved as a museum ship at Patriots Point in Charleston, South Carolina. Visit the Patriots Point Museum.
The USS Intrepid (CV-11) is an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned in 1943 that served in World War II, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. Nicknamed “The Fighting I,” it survived five kamikaze attacks and one torpedo strike, earning numerous battle stars. Decommissioned in 1974, it is now preserved as the centerpiece of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City (intrepidmuseum.org).
The Mayflower was the English ship that carried the Pilgrims from Plymouth, England, to the New World in 1620. After a difficult 66-day voyage, it landed at what is now Provincetown Harbor before the settlers established Plymouth Colony. The journey became a foundational story in American history, symbolizing early European settlement and self-governance through the signing of the Mayflower Compact (britannica.com).
The CSS Hunley was the first combat submarine to sink an enemy ship, achieving this feat during the Civil War. On February 17, 1864, she attacked the USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor, marking a significant turning point in naval warfare. After the mission, the Hunley disappeared, and her location remained a mystery for over a century. She was finally located in 1995 and raised in 2000. Today, the Hunley is preserved and displayed at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston, South Carolina. More at the Friends of the Hunley website.
Commissioned in 1961, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) was the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, serving for over 50 years. Nicknamed the ‘Big E,’ she participated in significant events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, multiple deployments during the Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm. Her long service set a benchmark for modern naval engineering. Naval History and Heritage Command offers insights.
The USS Pueblo was a U.S. Navy intelligence vessel captured by North Korea on January 23, 1968, in the Sea of Japan. The attack and subsequent capture of the ship and its 83 crew members led to an international crisis, with the crew held captive for nearly a year. The Pueblo remains in North Korean custody, serving as a symbol of Cold War tensions. See the story at NPR.
The SS United States, commissioned in 1951, was the world’s fastest ocean liner, setting the transatlantic speed record in 1952. Designed by William Francis Gibbs, she was built to be both a luxury liner and a troop transport if needed. After retiring in 1969, the ship faced various preservation challenges. In 2024, she was sold to Okaloosa County, Florida, with plans to convert her into the world’s largest artificial reef. The SS United States Conservancy continues to advocate for her legacy and preservation (ssusc.org).
The USCGC Eagle, originally built in Germany in 1936 as the Horst Wessel, was seized by the United States after World War II and commissioned into the U.S. Coast Guard in 1946. Now known as “America’s Tall Ship,” she serves as the Coast Guard’s premier training vessel, offering future officers hands-on experience in seamanship and leadership (atlanticarea.uscg.mil).
The legendary ships highlighted in this article have each played pivotal roles in shaping American history, from the valorous battles of the USS Constitution and the USS Arizona to the groundbreaking voyages of the USS Enterprise and the USS Nautilus. Their diverse legacies in warfare, peacekeeping, innovation, and exploration continue to inspire and educate. Preserving these vessels and remembering those who served aboard them is essential to honor their contributions and ensure that their stories endure for future generations.
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