Thursday, June 6, 2013

The Intrepid

There’s always these pieces of history that take us back, and remind us of all that we have to be grateful. The Intrepid fits that exact description, as it is a sight that represents our freedom, our fight, and our efforts for America. You may not know all that there is to know about the Intrepid, or maybe you barely have a clue about this battleship...so how about I give you some facts so you too can learn the majestic history of the Intrepid.


The Flight Deck Aircraft
An aircraft that would be on the Flight Deck would be the Avenger torpedo bomber, which made a few great achievements. The Avenger torpedo bomber is part of the Intrepid’s collection of distinctive aircrafts from around the world. The significance about the aircraft was that it took part in  World War II service, and therefore, was very strongly built. The Avenger torpedo bomber was launched into World War service from 1942-1945.


 
 
Fo’c’s’le
 
This part is the foremost part of the ship, and home of the anchors. The Fo’c’s’le contains the anchor windlass, the machinery that raises and lowers the ship’s giant anchor and anchor chain. The deck also carries a very massive chain in it. The deck has two 30,000 pound anchors, where visitors can now get an up close look of them. The deck has recently been restored and and open for viewing.


Some Facts!
- Every sailor had a locker called a three man locker. This locker was used when the sailors were living on the USS Intrepid. The locker would be packed with their clothes, and personal belongings. This shows the life the sailors had to adapt to during the time the sailors were aboard.
- The berthing area was where sailors slept in bunk beds. This place was also where they would socialize, and relax.
- The mess deck was where the Navy cooks would prepare meals. Often, around 10,000 meals would need to be prepared each day!
 
The Ports of Call!
  1. Newport News, Virginia
- The Intrepid launches (April 26, 1943), and starts its journey in August, 1943
     2. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
- The Intrepid arrives in Pearl Harbor (Jan 10, 1944)
    3. Western Pacific ocean, Philippines
- The Japanese Kamikaze attack, 69 men died, 35 wounded (Nov. 25, 1944)
    4. Ulithi, Micronesia
- Men were allowed to explore the ports on Liberty
   5. North Atlantic Ocean
- Helicopters pick up astronaut Scott Carpenter from the Mercury 7 space mission
   6. North Atlantic Ocean
- Intrepid picks up 2 astronauts and the 2-person capsule Gemini-3
  7. Egypt
- Intrepid passes the Suez Canal during her second deployment in Vietnam
  8. New York, New York- Pier 86
- The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum opens on August 3, 1982
 


Closing
Overall, the Intrepid is a great experience and I hope you all visit it! It fought for our freedom and shows the wonderful history, giving us a remembrance of the past, and making us grateful for our future.