[Jeff Head]

For all of those interested in US NAvy history and naval matters, there are five of these museum aricraft carriers spread around the country. Any one of them would make a wonderful stop on a vacation coming anywhere near them. I particularly like the USS Midway in San Diego, and the USS Intrepid in New York City, thought the Yorktown museum at Patriot's Point is also excellent.

[Jeff Head]

Thought you might enjoy this. Ever been to one of them?

[dirtboy]

My grandfather served on an Essex-class carrier in WWII (Bunker Hill). I'll have to take a trip down to Charleston to see the Yorktown. Thanks for the post.

[MosesKnows]

there are five US Navy Aircraft Carrier museums

Where is the USS America (CVA/CV-66)museum?

[Flash Bazbeaux]

I’ve had my kids on the Hornet in Alameda a couple of times, and will be taking them back. As they get older they can understand more.

The Hornet is moored at the same slip where the prior Hornet, CV 8, took off with Jimmy Doolittle for the Tokyo raid. Doolittle was actually born in Alameda, although he did not grow up there.

If anyone goes to see the Hornet, they should also go see the small Naval museum also on the former Alameda NAS. They have a section devoted to Doolittle, and a model of the Yamato about twelve feet long. It’ll cost you about five bucks, and the guys running it will shoot the breeze with all day if you want.

[Pan_Yan]

Though each of these ships served with distinction it is still a national tragedy that the most decorated ship in US naval history did not become a museum.

Old news clip of the Big E being towed to the scrap yard.

[BwanaNdege]

Thanks!

I did my first carrier landings on the Lex (as did thousands of other Naval Aviators).

[mn-bush-man]

I was on the Midway 2 weeks ago with my 9 year old son. GREAT time - took the wonderful self-guided tour. He was able to earn his Junior Pilot wings by answering questions in a pamphlet they gave us when we came in. He loved it! Very cool!

[skeeter]

We're lucky to have the Hornet relatively close by. I took my kids to several events there when they were young.

One event in particular was the 55 anniversary of the Midway battle. There were many participants in attendance - it was a rare opportunity and we're fortunate to have been there as they are all gone now.

[jimmango]

Slept on the Yorktown several times as Cubmaster / Asst. Scoutmaster. They do a nice job there, and it makes you appreciate how little personal space the sailors had.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Thanks for the post and pictures I have seen and been on the Midway.

[stremba]

Just went with family to the Intrepid and had a wonderful time. If you’re considering a visit, you should also know that they have on display the USS Growler, one of the last existing Grayback class subs. This was a nuclear-armed, diesel-powered sub from the cold war era (early 1950’s). Don’t go in if you’re claustrophobic though.

[HokieMom]

I toured the USS North Carolina in Wilmington, NC. Is that not a museum?

[MarkL]

I saw the Intrepid way back before it was finished as a museum, maybe 30 years ago. As I recall, there was a Soviet era sub moored next to her, and there were a few planes and a helicopter on the deck.

The size of the ship was really impressive. The hanger deck was enormous. But the two things I remember with total clarity was a plaque on the deck indicating the spot where a Kamikaze struck the ship during WWII, and a display where they had 2 scale models, with the Intrepid sitting on top of the deck of the Enterprise. As Huge as the Intrepid was, the model of the Enterprise just dwarfed the Intrepid.

I would really LOVE to see it again, now that it's a "real" museum.

Mark

[MasterGunner01]

As a kid I remember when the USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6) was scrapped after all attempts to preserve her as a museum ship failed. I thought it was a huge historic loss to future generations of Americans that so historic a ship was scrapped.

I have a hope that USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) will not meet a similar fate. ENTERPRISE should be preserved as a museum, but she will need a home port that can accommodate her and she won't be cheap to keep in shape. [But, the same can be said of all museum ships.]

There is a group trying to turn USS SARATOGA (CV-60) into a museum, but they've had funding problems. I'm surprised that MA hasn't wanted the USS KENNEDY (CV-67) for Battleship Cove, given the importance of the Kennedys in that state.

[henkster]

I have visited USS Lexington in Corpus Christi. I made it a point to go stand in what I believed to be the spot on the bridge where Mitscher ordere the searchlights turned on to bring the fliers home at the Battle of the Philippine Sea. I also visited the Intrepid way back in the 1970s when she was in Philadelphia.

The Essex class carriers were simply amazing. And we built what, 24 of them? Unbelievable.

[bmwcyle]

Great post, thanks

[Last Dakotan]

How many carriers are in Bremerton right now? Has to be 4 at least.

[yawningotter]

Now that Lexington has been retired, does the Navy have a carrier used for training new pilots (excuse me, naval aviators)?

[RetiredArmy]

There are still several old carriers in mothball out at the US Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA. One is the Ranger I think. Maybe the Connie. I think there used to be three or four out there.

[jughandle]

Have not yet been to the renovated Intrepid, the Yorktown was very nice to visit, (although the kids got clausterphobic below deck), visited Ft. Sumter the same day.