|
|
|
Patriot s Point
atriot's Point Destroyer, the USS Laffey
Mt. Pleasant, SC (DD-724). The Laffey won a
Presidential Unit Citation for
Charleston, South Carolina has action off Okinawa, April 16,
long been a popular tourist 1945. Also available for touring
destination. Why not? It offers is the USS Clamagore (SS-343).
an historical district of some of The Clamagore is diesel submarine
the finest preserved early constructed near the end of World
American homes, fabulous shopping War II but arrived too late to
and restaurants, antebellum see action. Until it was replaced
plantations, the South Carolina with a fleet of nuclear
Aquarium, great beaches and a submarines and decommissioned in
temperate climate. Located just a 1975 and, it was a front line
few minutes from the major submarine during the Cold War.
downtown attractions, just across
the Cooper River via the striking USS Yorktown
Ravenel Bridge is Patriot’s
Point. If you’re coming to Charleston
for a visit then the USS Yorktown
If you’re a navel veteran or is a must see. Looming on the
military buff, you will want to horizon just across the harbor
spend a day, maybe two, at from the Charleston historical
Patriot’s Point. How often do you district, it is hard to miss.
get the chance to wander around From downtown Charleston it is a
an aircraft carrier like the USS quick trip up East Bay Street to
Yorktown (CV-10)? Plus, they also the Ravenel Bridge – the view
have the Coast Guard cutter, from the top is amazing. Stay in
USCGC Inghan (WHEC-35) open for the right lane – there are a
tours. Also on site is a World bunch of them on this new bridge
War II – Korean War ear and the first main street to the
right leads to Patriot’s Point. Drydock Co. at the time of the
sinking of the CV-5 it was
The Yorktown alone is a full day originally was going to be named
if you try to see it all in one the “Bon Homme Richard.” With the
bite. Be sure to wear your loss of the CV-5, it was decided
walking shoes. There is a lot to to rename the ship the USS
see but there are narrow steps Yorktown. It played a major role
and tight quarters. If you have in World War II, the Korean War
trouble walking, climbing narrow and the War in Vietnam. The USS
stairs or you’re claustrophobic, Yorktown is the oldest aircraft
this may not be the attraction carrier still afloat.
for you. They have done an
excellent job with signage and Inside the Yorktown is the
there are tons of historic Congressional Medal of Honor
pictures of the “The Fighting Museum which is currently being
Lady” and her predecessor the remodeled. If it is open when you
CV-5 which was sunk in the Battle visit, do not miss this exhibit.
of Midway but not before it It is both moving and inspiring.
helped destroy the bulk of the Also on the hanger deck is a mock
Japanese fleet in the Pacific – up of the Apollo 8 spacecraft
including 4 of their 6 aircraft that was pulled from the ocean by
carriers. The Battle of Midway the aircraft carrier. Astronauts
likely shortened the war in the Frank Borman, James Lovell and
Pacific by at least one year, William Anders were the first
maybe two. humans to orbit around the Moon.
On January 3, 1969 they were on
The USS Yorktown that resides at the cover of Time magazine as
Patriot’s Point is the CV-10. It “Men of the Year.” Also on the
was under construction at the hanger deck is a flight simulator
Newport News Shipbuilding & that allows you to land a space
shuttle. retired fighter made famous by
Tom Cruise in “Top Gun.” Bring
Throughout the ship you can get your camera for this stop. Not
glimpses of what daily life on an only are the aircraft
aircraft carrier was like. From interesting, the views of
bunks to mess halls, from the Charleston just across the bay
engine room to navigation, from and the Ravenel Bridge are
the laundry to the infirmary, it spectacular.
is all open for touring. The
beauty of the self guided tour is Note: it can be quite windy on
that you can set your own pace. the flight deck and it may feel
One suggestion, don’t move too 10 degrees colder than the Mt.
quickly and fight the urge to Pleasant shoreline. Dress
skip sections. Tucked in unusual accordingly.
corners are some really
interesting displays. For If that not enough history for
example, deep in the bowels of you, from Patriot’s Point in Mt.
the great ship is an interesting Pleasant you can also take a boat
display of the Charleston tour of Ft. Sumter – the place
shipyard and dry dock. The real the American Civil War began.
crowd pleaser of the USS Yorktown There is also a recreation of a
is the flight deck. Vietnam era base station to tour.
On the flight deck is a Patriot’s Point also features an
collection of 25 different 18 hole professional golf course
airplanes and helicopters and some nice accommodations.
including: an A-4 Skyhawk, an A-6 Plus it is only a few minutes
Intruder, an A-7 Corsair, an F-4 from Shem Creek and some of the
Phantom, an F-9 Cougar, and an best seafood restaurants not only
F-14 Tomcat – the recently in Mt. Pleasant but in the entire
country. 40 Patriots Point Road
Mount Pleasant SC 29464-4377
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime 1-866-831-1720 (toll free)
Museum
About the Author:
Written by John Q. Wilson, author of the MtPleasantGuide.com and YourWestAshleyGuide.com .
Read more articles by: John Q. Wilson
Article Source: www.iSnare.com |
|
