Preserving the USS Olympia - a Protected Cruiser

The USS Olympia, which fought in the Spanish American War of 1898 has been preserved and is a valuable piece of US maritime history. Unfortunately, Olympia needs $10-15 million in repairs to keep her a viable museum for years to come. She has not been out of water for approximately 40 years. If you have connections or resources to help, please contact me at 612-599-1935 or bdskon@fedex.com.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Look at this Iranian pair of F-14's still flying, what an aircraft, and the F-4 in the background

USS George H W Bush CVN 77 on station, USS Enterprise CVN 65 Relieved

RED SEA (June 21, 2011) The Navy's oldest aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), right, passes the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), during a transit of the Strait of Bab el Mandeb. George H.W. Bush arrives in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility to take over operations for Enterprise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brooks B. Patton Jr./Released)
The Navy's oldest aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), right, passes the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

The Navy's oldest aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), left, passes the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

The Navy's oldest aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), right, passes the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

The Navy's oldest aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), left, passes the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) passes Naval Station Norfolk as it begins sea trials.
NORFOLK (June 13, 2011) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) passes Naval Station Norfolk as it begins sea trials. Dwight D. Eisenhower recently completed a nine-month planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Ship Yard and is resuming scheduled underway operations this summer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shonna L. Cunningham/Released)

New Egypt? 7,000 civilians jailed since Mubarak fell | McClatchy

New Egypt? 7,000 civilians jailed since Mubarak fell McClatchy

Ah 'freedom'........................

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Welcome to the Fleet! USS William P Lawrence DDG 110

Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawerence (DDG 110) man the rails and bring the ship to life during the ship's commissioning ceremony.


MOBILE, Ala. (June 4, 2011) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawerence (DDG 110) man the rails and bring the ship to life during the ship's commissioning ceremony. The new destroyer honors the late Vice Adm. William P. Lawrence, a naval aviator who served as a test pilot and endured 6 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Lawrence went on to serve as the superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy and Chief of Naval Personnel. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Mark C. Jones/Released)

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Plan extends some ships’ service to 70 years - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Plan extends some ships’ service to 70 years - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Editorial Note - The Wharf Rat knew this was a Nimitz class carrier, but wonders why a Ford class artist rendoring wasn't used.

I’m thinkin’ that’s Lincoln

A photo illustration released by the Navy over the weekend // Navy
An eagle-eyed reader named “Mike” wrote us over the weekend to make an interesting point about the Navy’s photo illustration released the day the Navy announced that the second Gerald R. Ford-class carrier will be named in honor of John F. Kennedy. His point? That ain’t no Ford.
“There’s plenty of renderings of the Ford Class available for use, and with the differences between classes you might as well be showing a picture of the Forrestal.”
Right you are. The carrier below JFK’s head is actually the Abraham Lincoln. The image was shot March 2 as the ship made its way across the Pacific near the end of its most-recent deployment. You can see the photo in its natural habitat here.
Ford and its follow-ons will look more like this.