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I got a close look at her at the Newport News shipyard just before she went to the Norfolk Navy Base.
It wasn't long after the Gipper went on her first long cruise,rounding the Horn and visiting many Asian harbors before finally home-porting in San Diego.
South California and South Carolina ain't exactly neighbors so I didn't get another look but at least my boy moved back home when his hitch was over.
I never thought I would see a ship bigger than my Independence. The Reagan is about the same length as my old tub but the flight deck is more spacious and the hull a whole lot fatter—probably to help accommodate the co-ed berthing.I almost think my late dad's little carrier could have fit in her hangar bay.
As clean and shiny as battleship gray sides and boot black waterline can be.