[tanknetter]

Showboat!

That would be the battleship North Carolina.

Enterprise's official nickname is "Big E" (legacy from her predecessor, CV-6 from WWII). More recently she's been referred to as "Ghettoprise" and "Enterprison" because she's VERY long in the tooth and showing her age. Her most recent overhaul - not even a refueling - took much longer and went way over budget.

[VR-21]

What you say is probably quite true tanknetter. She was frequently called ‘Showboat’ by sailors when I was in. Perhaps it’s like the Kitty Hawk, who had a few names (-bird, -kitty come to mind). Hell, I was an airdale (AT) so you probably ought to just consider the source. I boarded her back in the early 70’s at Cubi Pt. (visiting a friend) and she was spit shined then. I did also hear the term “Big-E” but usually (I think) in reference to the Enterprise of WWII. Take Care.