Day 19- Norfolk, VA

 DAY 19   May 5

We are tied up at Waterside Marina in Norfolk. The red arrow indicates our specific location in the marina. The circle will be mentioned later with other pictures.

The American Rover is 135 feet in length and is a three-masted topsail schooner tied up at the same marina we are in. It appears very large every time we walk past it. 

Since we had the day off, so to speak, we took a walk around the water front.

We walked past a Wine Festival, lots of people there.

We went to the Naval Museum and toured the USS Wisconsin. Very interesting, especially with Paul's Naval history commentary as we toured it.
My first question to the docent who greeted us on the quarterdeck was, "What's with the pink paint?" His reply, "It's our shame.  When the Navy reactivated the ship in 1991, it was painted, but the Navy had reformulated the traditional 'Haze Grey' paint formula and were to find out that when it faded over time, it took on this pink hue.
 They are trying to accumulate the 312,000 pounds of grey paint needed to fix it.  Donations accepted.

Completed in 1944, the ship was assigned to the Pacific Theater during World War II, where she participated in the Philippines campaign and the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. (per Wikipedia) If you ever visit Norfolk, VA we highly recommend visiting this ship and the museum.  

It is mind boggling to see how technology has improved in a short period of time.

These were the smaller guns facing the rear.

Notice the Carnaval Cruise ship in the background? The US Wisconsin is 887' the Carnival Pride ship is 965' and is one of Carnaval's smaller ships.

This is one of the nozzles used to refuel other ships.

While passengers were loading onto the starboard (right) side of the ship the re-stocking of food and supplies was happening on the port (left) side. Check out the pallets of food being loaded. We could see all this activity from the deck of the USS Wisconsin.



This was our view as we enjoyed a late lunch. We were able to see a lot of boat arrivals in our marina. Always interesting, boaters watching boaters.

Remember the red circle on the map picture? The cruise ship had to leave their dock and turn around to go the proper direction. The next pictures show it happening, right in front of us!



It was quite a sight to see.

Starting tomorrow, for four days, we will attend the America's Great Loop Cruiser's Association Spring Rendezvous. It will give us the opportunity to meet other cruisers and gather information about a variety of topics all related to doing the loop. 
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Cheryl comments in this font
Paul comments in this font


Comments

  1. JudyMay 6, 2024 at 1:49 AM

    Nothing wrong with a pink ship! I kind of like it! Amazing that the Carnival ship could 'turn on a dime' like that.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 6, 2024 at 10:09 PM

    Just to let you know we are aboard the blog now! Wonderful pictures of all the navel ships around there. Very cool!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bob the DuckMay 7, 2024 at 5:11 PM

    So mariners could you share what the rendezvous is all about Do you go to seminars? Dock parties? Is the Mount Gay Rum reps there? Inquiring ducks want to know. Thanks Goosers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cbthediverMay 7, 2024 at 8:49 PM

      Bob, I am sorry to report that Mount Gay was NOT at the rendezvous. There is one very sad captain. But, they do have $9 Corona beer!!! And, thankfully Mount Gay on Snow Goose.

      Delete
  4. Karen KerrMay 7, 2024 at 7:28 PM

    Glad you're having a good time. Love the pink.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cbthediverMay 7, 2024 at 8:51 PM

      Thanks Karen, we are having a good time. Unfortunately the retired Navy Captain didn't find the pink pleasing at all. LOL

      Delete

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