One of the joys of having a home that overlooks the Puget Sound is the wide range of shipping traffic that flows through the sound. Since we are on the path for ships going to and from the Bremerton Naval Ship Yard, it is always a treat to see these large beasts of the sea pass by our view.
One of the most poignant moments was watching the USS Missouri make its final voyage from Bremerton, WA to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The USS Missouri had a long history with the US Navy as the timeline below shows:
This website carries a brief history of the USS Missouri:
“The ship was built during World War II and is one of the Iowa-class battleships that were designed for speed and firepower. The Missouri was the last battleship ever built. The ship was part of the force of firepower in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. During the war’s final month, the “Mighty Mo” served as Adm. William “Bull” Halsey’s flagship for the Pacific Third Fleet.
- 887 feet in length: 209 feet from keel to mast
- It weighs 58,000 tons on a full load.
- It is 5 feet longer and 18 feet wider than the RMS Titanic.
- The ship could travel at 33 knots.
- It possessed 13.5 inch thick steel armor plating that protected the hull.
- It is also known for its 16-inch guns and twenty 5-inch anti-aircraft guns.
The last voyage of the USS Missouri was a reminder of all the valiant sailors that served aboard this massive battleship. We give you our eternal thanks.
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