The Intrepid to sail again (almost)

[x635 4,066]

New attempt planned to move USS Intrepid

By PAT MILTON, Associated Press Writer

Fri Dec 1, 4:44 PM ET

NEW YORK - After three weeks of dredging, officials will make another attempt on Tuesday to free the USS Intrepid from the mud and tow the floating military museum across to New Jersey for a $60 million overhaul.

Tugboats will try to pull the 900-foot World War II aircraft carrier from its berth along the Hudson River during one of the highest tides of the year.

The first attempt to move the ship, on Nov. 6, ended in frustration when it became clear that the engineless ship was stuck in the mud at the pier where it has sat for 24 years.

Navy crews have since dredged 39,000 cubic yards of muck — roughly 4,000 dump trucks' worth — from under the stern to free four huge propellers and a rudder.

The Intrepid, which survived torpedoes and five kamikaze attacks during World War II in the Pacific, is now a tourist attraction that draws 700,000 visitors annually.

The vessel will be towed five miles down river to Bayonne, N.J., for a two-year overhaul, during which the ship will be repaired and the deteriorating pier will be rebuilt. The journey is expected to take about eight hours at a pokey 3 1/2 mph.

Edited December 2, 2006 by x635

[JBE 328]

Pokey 3 1/2 mph?? I'm going to go a little off topic here. That equals about 2 knots. The ship is obviously not under its own power. It's going to be towed. Operations like this will take time, and need to be handled with precision. Especially with something that big. Sorry, Pat Milton, AP reporter, but once again you show why I don't like too many people from the press.

I guess he would like to see it go at warp factor 6, and then towlines snap and wheeeeee, the Intrepid sails into Chelsea Piers and takes out half the building.

Edited December 2, 2006 by JBE

[Guest]

I would bet we don't see too much publicity this time around. I think they might just try to get this done quietly.

[348 4]

the motors were removed in 1981 when the ship was scheduled for scrap.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Quietly? Yeah they can move that aircraft carrier without anyone noticing. lol.

I just hope she goes so she can get what she needs. She's been through a lot in her history and is a great museum and monument for her veterans.

[Guest]

good luck to all involved, and i hope this is a success because the intrepid has been a part of new york for decades, its almost an icon of nyc

[Guest]

good luck to all involved, and i hope this is a success because the intrepid has been a part of new york for decades, its almost an icon of nyc

[Guest]

As of 09:05 she's clear of her berth.

Good job so far!

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/intrepid/

[grumpyff 1,159]

I was there this morning when they pulled her out. Very slow at first, but they finally got her out. The Intrepid was escorted by FDNY, NYPD, NJ State Police, and Coast Guard boats, as well NYPD aviation. Here are couple of photos I took. The first is FDNY fireboat Kevin C Kane:

[grumpyff 1,159]

As far as I know, the Intrepid still retains her oil fired steam boilers, but they have not been fired since the 1970's, and are most likely covered with asbestos.

The next photo I got is FDNY fireboat Governor Alfred Smith, making red, white, and blue streams of water on the far side of the Hudson River (NJ side)

Edited December 5, 2006 by grumpyff

[x635 4,066]

Great shots grumpyff!!! I wish I could have gone as well, but was unable.

But I did shoot the Intrepid this morning 12-6-06, resting comforably in Bayonne harbor awaiting entry into the shipyard.

Kinda wiered seeing her anyplace else but her home. I hope to get a photo of her empty NY berth in the next couple of days.

Sorry for the crappy lighting, the sun was behind me and this was the only area I could shoot the ship from.

Here's my photo of her sitting in Bayonne Harbor this AM:

[attachmentid=1688]

Edited December 6, 2006 by x635

[biglew 3]

grumpyff, nice shots....

Glad they finally got her out of there, sad to see her go, but she'll be nicer in a couple of years!!