Replies

Mayport was home to the Kennedy until they decommissioned her. It wouldn't surprise me if the next east coast carrier that goes into Newport News for major overhaul is homeported in Mayport once the work is done. As for Brooklyn I don't know of any carriers being stationed there, maybe back in the 1950's. They used to homeport a couple of the CVS's in Newport, Rhode Island back in the 1960's. Maybe that's what you're thinking of?

When I got out in 1980 we had offically recieved orders that we were changing homeports to Mayport. A swap with JFK I think. But I think Reagan and Cap rescinded that order. JFK remained in Mayport and AMERICA stayed in NORVA. As for carrier homeports? I know what's got me thinking about Brookyln is the shipyard there. KITTY HAWK was build there and NYC was a liberty port.

Charelston the way I remember hearing was just about big enough for a few cans and was a base for subs mostly. They need to put two carriers homeported in Mayport and stop using Norfolk so heavy. It's just common sense.

Charleston was escorts, subs, and minesweepers. And an absolutely miserable place to conn a ship in and out of. The Cooper is a tidal river; winding channel, shifting sand banks, frequent fog, fast current when the tide was going out. You'd age 10 years in the time it took from leaving the pier till you cleared the harbor mouth.