I'm in Hawaii for a wedding so of course made the pilgrimage to Pearl Harbour for a visit of the USS Arizona memorial. 75 years on there is still a very strong odor of oil and a visible slick over the ship. The hull is visible, lying just under the surface. It is a humbling experience knowing how many sailors are entombed below. Interestingly, the ashes of recently deceased survivors of the December 7, 1941 explosions, are taken to the ship and released inside the hull. Apparently the divers experience a feeling that one of the ship's own has come home to join their ship mates.
When I was last in Pearl, 39 years ago, the Mighty MO, the USA Missouri, was in mothballs in Bremerton, Washington but is now moored on Ford Island in Pearl Harbour. A survivor of three wars, this ship oozes naval warfare history. For anyone not so familiar with the background story I'd encourage you to go to ussmissouri.org for a catch up. The Pacific Theater of war was won with a monumental sacrifice by our US brothers in arms.
They are amazing ships aren't they. I visited the USS Massachusetts in Fall River Mass. What impressed me the most is when the tour guide told us that the thick armored mount for the main turrets which extends down to the powder magazine weighed more than the destroyer USS Joseph Kennedy which is moored next to the battleship. And there are three turrets! That's some weight!
Yes, Samuel, it's a bit like staring into the universe and thinking WTH? Some things are bigger than life and leave their mark on us.The fire power alone is staggering. No man who witnesses it will ever forget. I served on a Destroyer Escort for a while but it was in a different class to these masters of the seas. 😊
