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Posted on 11/03/2026 3:43:16 AM PST by OldHarbor
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – The former USS Enterprise (CVN 65), nicknamed the “Big E,” departed Newport News Shipbuilding on Monday and is now on its way to Mobile, Ala., where the vessel will be dismantled. The ship was the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
Commissioned in 1961, the carrier served in the U.S. Navy for more than 50 years. During its operational history, the ship played key roles in the Cold War, Vietnam War and post-9/11 conflicts, including Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Former USS Enterprise to be dismantled in Alabama Following its inactivation in December 2012, the U.S. Navy completed defueling of the ship’s reactor plants in 2017. The carrier was decommissioned during a ceremony in the hangar bay on Feb. 3, 2017, concluding a career of nearly 55 years as the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be decommissioned.
Built by Newport News Shipbuilding, the vessel was christened on Sept. 24, 1960, by Bertha Irene Franke, wife of former Secretary of the Navy William B. Franke. The carrier entered service in 1961 and traveled more than 1 million nautical miles under nuclear power during its career as the eighth naval vessel to bear the name Enterprise.
“Enterprise will always be remembered for her proud legacy of service, a legacy made possible by the Sailors and support personnel whose dedication kept her mission-ready,” said Kevin Cormier, deputy portfolio acquisition executive maritime for aircraft carriers. “All who served aboard and sustained this historic ship should take pride in the vital role they played in supporting the fleet. Their dedication ensured that Enterprise remained a lasting example of naval excellence. Fair winds and following seas.”
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I wonder how he would have dealt with the problem of all the radioactive isotopes that a decommissioned nuclear reactor has?
What an awesome projection of American sea power she was, R.I.P.
Kinda surprised she wasn’t maintained as a training vessel for various naval fields.
Kinda surprised she wasn’t maintained as a training vessel for various naval fields.
That ship was really with us a long time. I suppose most of it is outdated by now.
After retirement from the Navy, I spent 4 1/2 months pulling cable all over the ship for the 1998 LAN system installation.
I guess they had to get rid of her to make room for Nimitz at the shipyard.
Will it be sunk next to the SS United States? Two historical ship sunk...
Lots of pictures and discussion of the controversies of the dismantling plans.
If they decommissioned her reactor, what propulsion system is she using to make her last trip?
I worked at the shipyard where the Enterprise will be scrapped for 20 years as the safety manager. We went through several owners, the last of which was a scrapping company that bought the yard specifically to scrap the Enterprise. I don’t know if it was a gamble or if he somehow knew he would get the contract. The management of the shipyard told the new owner that there was not enough space in the river to dock the ship. I guess they were wrong, which surprises me.
We foolishly allowed the original Enterprise carrier that helped win WW2 to be scrapped instead of being a museum ship. Now we are doing the same with this one!
I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess... tugboats?
I refueled her back in the 90’s
I was an AC on the Big E from 86-89. Fun times.
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