Theres an art to not being seen. Well
actually for some folks its more of a natural feature. Being generally unattractive and overwhelming average, Im already incapable of standing out in any crowd. Its like having a built in invisibility cloak, but thats not what Im on about here. The art of stealth is a useful tool for those that are trying to avoid the prying eyes of the overly curious. However, its even more important for those that wish to actually be overly curious and thats the definition that Im headed toward. Well encounter something rather new to the Patriots Point area that perfectly illustrates this in a little while, but first theres just a bit more of the Yorktown to explore today.
So lets resume the tour back aboard the carrier where we left off
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Up on the Roof
As I mentioned in the last update
way back in time when I was actually able to release and update that is
its been a might busy round here. Sorry about that.
As I was saying
I mentioned a while back that there is much to see and explore aboard the USS Yorktown. Even the mildly interested could spend and entire day and not cover it all. For the geeky, it could take several trips to take it all in and we certainly qualify as geeky. Well
two of us anyway. Bill and I are both into this type of history. Sal was really just along for the ride. Its not that he wasnt enjoying the outing, but rather that his purpose was to spend time away from work, among friends and encounter something different. Mission accomplished. But not wanting to over tax our friend, coupled with the facts that we also wanted to hit a couple of other attractions in the area today and that we only had today to see any of it
these all led us to make a somewhat abbreviated tour of the ship. It was decided that wed head up to the flight deck for a while and then to move along. Now if youd like to hear a bit more about the lower decks (which are fascinating to be sure), might I recommend a different part of a different (and arguably more interesting) TR
This one here.
Anyway, the decision was made so we headed up to the Roof
Up here youll find a collection of more modern and considerably larger aircraft.
Carriers are among the largest ships to practice the art of not being seen. Given modern satellite technology thats harder now, but as originally developed these were the first capital ships capable of fighting a battle against an opposing force out of the direct line of sight. The horizon was no longer a limiting factor controlling events on the water. The first time it occurred was early 1942 in the Coral Sea. One of the two US carriers involved was actually the Yorktown. It just wisent this ship; rather it was the one that this one would end up being named for. But in either case it was aircraft like these and the more classic birds in the hanger below us that made it possible. From that point on, fleets would combat one and other from distances of hundreds of miles instead of hundreds of yards. And the thing to be feared was no longer a multi-ton shell, but the various types of armament that could be attached to the planes.
The photographically minded will find additional reasons to enjoy exploring the flight deck. This is one of the better spots for acquiring unobstructed views of the inlet, bridges, forts and downtown Charleston across the way
Not that I took all that much advantage of this fact. There was one unusual site that we encountered though. On this particular day we had the opportunity to watch as a hands-on sailing class being taught out on the waters of the Cooper River
It was rather interesting to stop and watch for a few minutes. There were about a dozen or so of these small sloops out that morning attempting to maneuver as a flotilla. We were pretty sure that most were learning a new skill because a couple of the craft were behaving a bit erratically and two even got their riggings tangled up at one point.
Back to the tour
Having traveled as far forward as possible (without having to perform a biblical miracle) we walked back the length of the flight deck taking time to read the various placards and thoroughly examine each airframe
All of the jets on display have long since had their engines removed, so this particular type of silly picture is almost obligatory. Its a little like encountering a canon on display in a park or at a fort
Someone in the group will simply have no choice but to stick their head in it.
There are a number of very interesting birds on the deck, but the one that currently holds down the spot of honor in the Spaghetti (where you catch the wires during a landing) was a Hollywood favorite
. the Aluminum Cloud
Actually the F-14 (Tomcat) is so large that there is really no better spot to display one of these photogenic behemoths.
Back here youll also find the LSOs station
a small platform perilously hanging out off the deck and over the water where the Landing Signal Officer conducts business. Trying to land an aircraft of any type on a relatively small and moving surface is a challenge that only a very few folks will attempt and even fewer will master. And its the fellow pilot standing here that will be both you best friend and nemesis while youre doing it. Here stands the individual that will be giving you signals that help keep you in the glide path and give you every chance possible to hit the sweet spot and grab the three-wire without needing to bolt (or worse end up sending your ride back to the taxpayers
). Problem is, this officer is also responsible for grading that landing. A grade that stays with you. Indefinitely
You maintain a good attitude and drop it square on the deck and you get an:OK posted on the Greenie Board (and yes there is a score board). Take your eyes off the Meatball and put that bird down in the Spud Locker or make some truly Delta Sierra move that gets you waived off with a clear deck and the penalty box will be the least of your troubles. Every jock on Vultures Row will be gleefully looking forward to taking a bite out of your carcass.
This far aft is also the best vantage point for getting a good image of the third ship that graces Patriots Point. One that is designed specifically to not be seen
The USS Clamagore (SS-343)
As you can see from that image, repairs were underway on this old veteran at the time and as such, we were unable to get aboard the stealthiest of the three vessels here on that day. Not to worry, I believe that they have completed those repairs and its once again open to the public. We just missed out this time around. Ive actually been aboard this classic sub a few times in the past and even brought other folks along with me
Its the right-hand side of that double image I talking about. Thats my youngen hanging out on the sub during a trip down there back in his Cub Scout days. Way back when he was actually a youngen. Now hes just shy of being growed.
My how time moves
***sigh***
Oh
sorry about that, I was drifting off through memories there.
Time to move on I suppose
I did make sure though, that we got at least one good shot with the ships bell before going ashore
A tradition of mine
often this bronze heart may be all thats left of a great old warrior. Laying a hand on it if you can helps to imprint the memory, honors those that had served aboard and says that youve actually been there. In fact this same museum also houses several veteran ships bells including those from the older 1889 gunboat: USS Yorktown, a sister carrier: the USS Franklin (CV-13) and the old armored curser: USS Charleston (C-22).
I do believe Ive beaten that subject to death now.
Yah I know
Whiskey Charlie
right?
Next subject
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In country
As we made our way back toward dry land, the Spirit of Charleston glided around the Yorktowns bow headed for the pier.
This gives me a good chance to toss out another useful tidbit for anyone that might be considering a side trip to Patriots Point. The Point is one of two spots in Charleston where you can catch a ferryboat out into the harbor and tour Fort Sumter. Its an enjoyable little cruse and the fortress is well worth seeing (the other ferry leaves from the aquarium on the peninsula which is also a fine facility well worth your time to visit). We didnt get out to Sumter this day, but you could still get a look at it from
someone elses point of view if youd like.
We did, however, take a little time to explore another offering here that a lot of folks overlook
This is an excellent representation of a Vietnam era land base and focuses of a very different time period then the rest of the museum
.
Being as its well done and that the chance to explore here is already part of the museum admission, it surprises me that relatively few folks take the time to check it out.
There are recreations of most of the major facility types that you might have encountered. Everything form barracks and a simple mess hut
To control and command posts converted from shipping containers and even the central water / watch tower
Running water, a decent meal, a roof of any kind over head
For the service folk that were in country these were very often extravagant luxuries.
There are also several choppers from the era to explore and even a PBR
the maneuverable (and at times expendable) small craft that prowled the inlets and tributaries of the Mekong. Think of the trip up the river from the film
Apocalypse Now and youll have the right imagery to go with that picture.
Just remember
Never get outa the boat.
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American Defense
That video doesnt really have anything to do with this next section. But it was inspired by the same set of background conditions (well, the first bit of it anyway). That being: the Cold War. Directly across the street from the entrance to Patriots Point is a park that is mostly dedicated to the sporting facilities maintained by the college of Charleston. One other thing in this park though is a fairly new monument dedicated to one of the most important aspects of that prolonged and subtle East vs. West conflict
The Silent Service.
These are the folks that took the art of not being seen to new heights. Either they were concealing deterrents in the form as fissile materials deep beneath the ocean surface, or they were trying to find other nations vessels that were similarly engaged. And attempting to do so without anyone knowing that either one was ever there in the first place.
The centerpiece of this monument is made up of the Conning tower and tail section of the retired nuclear ballistic submarine:
USS Lewis and Clark (SSBN-644).
Why just bits and pieces of the sub and not the whole ship like the Clamagore exhibit just across the way? Well thats a down side of attempting to preserve a nuclear powered vessel. Decommissioning them requires a good bit more thought due to the reactors built into the heart of the ship. I actually did a Bonus Feature on this very problem back in my
Experiment-627 TR if youre interested in learning a little bit about the problem along with some semi-related but interesting American Revolutionary history.
Now then, lets get back to this monument. Another interesting aspect is that it was designed in such a way as to remind you of how these ships looked while gracefully plying the surface of the ocean. Rather then mounting the Tower on a simple pedestal or just plop it on smack on the ground, this was designed to evoke a full size replica of the ship underway. Except that the grounds, plantings and finely manicured grass are playing the part of the water and characteristic bow wave produced by a submarine on the surface
Heres an image of this old veteran during her operational career to give you a clearer idea of what theyre trying to accomplish visually
To add to the details the monument was even situated to depict the sub as returning back to her original home port at the now closed Charleston Naval Station after completing a successful patrol. The heading: a course of 299 degrees True. You can pull out a compass and check it if youd like. Thats the kind of stuff that Disney would do. Ive always appreciated that kind of attention to detail. Always will
Next up: Sullivans Island Fortress
And a short walk to a long pier