A Visit to USS Intrepid
on a Dog Day Afternoon

Part Two

USS Intrepid

by Brett Green

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Continued from Part One.

As if a distinguished aircraft carrier museum with scores of exhibits was not enough, the USS Intrepid has two interesting neighbours.

Growler

The first is the Growler, one of the first pair of guided missile capable, nuclear-deterrent submarines. The museum conducts a 20 minute guided tour of the sub from stem to stern, starting in the missile hangars. These hangars sit on top of the main body of the submarine and give the vessel a very peculiar profile. The missiles themselves are a far cry from the more modern submarine missiles we are used to today. These missiles look more like a 1950's navy jet fighter aircraft with the cockpit faired over. Furthermore, these missiles could only be fired from the surface. The launch activity must have been quite a sight!

Edson

The third element of the floating museum is the 1950's destroyer USS Edson, named after the founder of the Marine Raiders. We took a leisurely stroll above and below decks. In common with all the other exhibits at the museum, the Edson is well maintained and interesting with well-informed volunteers providing information on request (and occasionally even without being requested!)

After spending a thoroughly enjoyable half-day at the USS Intrepid, I can heartily recommended the museum to any navy or aviation enthusiasts visiting New York.

Ground Zero

Before leaving Manhattan, I wanted to visit Ground Zero to pay my respects.

The cab pulled up beside Trinity Church. I experience a surge of emotion upon encountering the surrounding fence festooned with messages of support, grief, hope, pride in the emergency services; plus flags, shirts, hats, socks - all sorts of personal items left in solidarity or in memorium. Every one of the many thousands of items told a story.

If the church fence conveys the sentiments of people and events, the Ground Zero site is evidence of ongoing determination, commitment and sheer backbreaking effort. Remarkably, the entire area has been cleared of debris and now resembles a massive construction site. The progress seems nothing short of miraculous. Equally miraculous is the localisation of the damage. Before this visit, I did not realise that the World Trade Center was hemmed in by retail and financial buildings on all four sides. The once magnificent glass arch of the Wintergarden still looks like a skeletal relic of the London Blitz. Other local properties remain unoccupied, damaged, covered with scaffolds or boarded over. However, looking around the block, I was amazed that adjacent buildings such as the World Financial Center had already been repaired and returned to full service.

The overall mood surrounding the WTC site was also surprising. The streets bustled with tourists and office workers. The mood was overwhelmingly positive despite the oppressive heat and humidity.

It feels like business as usual.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

My thanks to Steven Eisenman and family for their hospitality during my New York visit..

Model, Images and Article Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
Page Created 29 July 2002
Last updated 11 August 2002

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