SAN DIEGO - US NAVY SHIPS (MAY 7, 2007) (left to right: -)

The famous aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY, now a museum ship. Displacement: 59,901 t (light); 64,000 t (loaded). Built 1945-09 by Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Virginia. Dimensions: loa: 298.4 m b: 36.9 m draft: 10.8 m. Main engines: 4 Westinghouse Geared Turbines, 12 Babcock & Wilcox Boilers, 4 shafts. Power: 212,000 shp. Speed: 33 kn. Complement: 4,104 officers and men. Aircraft: 100 (up to the end of the Korean war; 65 thereafter). MIDWAY was laid down October 27, 1943, was launched March 20, 1945 and was commissioned September 10, 1945. After post-WWII service in the Pacific, she was operationally deployed during both the Korean and Vietnam wars and the first Gulf war (Desert Storm) before being decommissioned in April, 1992 after 47 year's service. Struck from the naval list March 17, 1997, she became a museum on the San Diego waterfront, opening in 2004. Much more about this ship at Midway.org. A close-up view Photo 2

The Nimitz-class, multi-role aircraft carrier, USS RONALD REAGAN, undergoing refit at the San Diego naval yard. Displacement: 104,000 t full load. Built 2003 at Newport News SB & DD / Northrop Grumman, Newport News, VA. Dimensions: loa: 332.8 m b: 76.2 m draft: 11.9 m. Flight deck: 208.4 m x 32.9 m; 4 catapults and 4 deck-edge elevators. Aircraft: 80+. Main engine: 2 A4W reactors, steam turbines, 4 shafts, 280,000 shp, 30+ knots. Complement: approx. 3,000 (including flag) with approximately 2,900 air crew. Photo 2

One of the Austin-class, amphibious transport dock ships, the USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7) heading out of port. Displacement: 16,900 t full load. Built 1967 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, West Bank, Pascagoula, Miss. Dimensions: loa: 173.4 m b: 25.6 m draft: 7.2 m. Main engine: 2 steam turbines, twin shafts. Power: 24,000 shp. Speed: 21.0 kn. Complement: 386-400 plus 60 flag staff . Troops: 835. Aircraft: landing for 4 helicopters on the after deck; telescopic hanger. Well deck for landing craft.

The impressively "stealthy", San Antonio-class, amphibious transport / landing platform dock ship  USS NEW ORLEANS, shown departing San Diego (soon to return). Displacement: 25,296 t full load. Built 2005 by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, New Orleans, Louisiana. Dimensions: loa: 208.4 m b: 31.9 m draft: 7.0 m. Main engine: 4 Colt Pielstick diesels, twin shafts. Power: 30,912 kW. Speed: 22.0 kn. Complement: 422 . Troops: 759+. Aircraft: landing for 2 - 4 helicopters with a hanger for up to 3. Well deck for up to 6 landing craft (depending on type). Photo 2

The Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet oiler, USS YUKON (202) about to depart San Diego, assisted by the tug, C-TRACTOR 10 (see below). Displacement: 42,000 t full load. Built 1993 by Avondale Shipyard, New Orleans. Dimensions: loa: 206.5 m b: 29.7 m draft: 11.0 m. Main engine: 2 diesels, twin shafts. Power: 23,949 kW. Speed: 20.0 kn.

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SHIPS OF THE SAN DIEGO MARITIME MUSEUM (left to right: -)

The full-rigged iron ship  STAR OF INDIA   British Reg No: 47617. Built 1863 by Gibson, McDonald & Arnold, Ramsey, Isle of Man, as the EUTERPE for the India jute trade of Wakefield, Nash & Co. of Liverpool. Dimensions: loa: 207 ft b: -. Flag: U.S.A. The full history of this ship can be found on the Museum's web site.

The double-ended steam ferry  BERKELEY. Gross tonnage: 1,883. Built 1898-10 by Union Iron Works, San Francisco CA, U.S.A. Dimensions: loa: 289 ft b: 64 ft draft: -. Main engine: Single inverted triple expansion steam engine. Power: 1,450 ihp. Speed: 12.25 kn. Flag: U.S.A. BERKELEY operated on ferry service for 60 years on San Francisco Bay for the Southern Pacific Co. The schooner CALIFORNIAN can be seen towards the right of the photo. CALIFORNIAN, built 1984, is a replica of the 1847 Revenue Cutter C.W. LAWRENCE, that patrolled the coast of California enforcing federal law during the gold rush.

The steam yacht  MEDEA  ID number: 34357. Gross tonnage: 112. Built 1904-08 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd., Linthouse-on-the-Clyde, Scotland, for William Macalister Hall of Torrisdale Castle, Scotland, to be used for entertaining and hunting trips around the waterways in western Scotland. Dimensions: loa: 140 ft b: 16.65 ft draft: 9.4 ft. Main engine: Compound reciprocating steam engine Power: 254 ihp. Speed: 10.0 kn. Alongside MEDEA is the retired San Diego pilot boat PILOT, built locally in 1914 serving for 82 years before joining the Maritime Museum fleet.

The replica, 24-gun Royal Navy frigate,  HMS SURPRISE ex HMS ROSE, used in the making of the movie 'Master and Commander', starring Russel Crowe. Official number: 928811. Displacement: 500 t. Built 1970 at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (not far down the road from here!). Dimensions: sparred length: 54.6 m b: 9.7 m draft: 4.0 m. Sail area: 1,208 sq. m; rig height: 39.6 m. Design was based on the original Admiralty drawings of the sixth-rate frigate, HMS ROSE, built in 1757. Sold in 2001 as HMS ROSE to 20th Century Fox for the making of the movie. Leased and then purchased by the San Diego Maritime Museum bearing the name she assumed for the movie..

Ex Soviet "Foxtrot"-class, diesel-electric patrol submarine,  B-39. Displacement: 2,000 t (surface), 2,300 t (submerged). Boats of this class were built between 1958 and 1967 at Sudomekh and Leningrad. Dimensions: loa: 90.5 m b: 7.3 m draft: 5.8 m. Machinery: diesels (6,000 bhp), 3 shafts; 3 electric motors (6,000 hp). Speed: 20 knots surface, 15 knots submerged. Ten, 21 inch torpedo tubes (6 in bow and 4 stern); 20 torpedos carried. Complement: 70.

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SAN DIEGO AND ASTORIA TUGS, (left to right: -)

San Diego, May 7: Alpha Marine Service's  C-TRACTOR 14. IMO number: 9213038. Gross tonnage: 389. Built 1999-07 by North American Shipbuilding Inc., Larose LA, U.S.A. Dimensions: lbp: 29.29 m b: 11.28 m draft: - m. Main engine: 2 x Caterpillar 16-cyl (3516 DITA) diesels. Power: 2,984 kW. Speed: 12.0 kn. Flag: U.S.A. (Galliano LA).

San Diego, May 7: Alpha Marine Service's  C-TRACTOR 10.  IMO number: 8875463. Gross tonnage: 303 (559 dwt). Built 1994-08 by North American Shipbuilding Inc., Larose LA, U.S.A. Dimensions: lbp: 25.24 m b: 10.06 m draft: - m. Main engine: 2 x Caterpillar 12-cyl (3512 DITA) diesels. Power: 1,790 kW. Speed: 12.0 kn. Flag: U.S.A. (Galliano LA).

San Diego, May 7: Connolly Pacific Co's  LARCONA  O.N: 0599840. Gross tonnage: 85. Built 1978 by Main Iron Works Inc., Houma LA, U.S.A. Dimensions: loa: 21.64 m b: 7.62 m draft: - m. Main engines: 2 x 16-cyl DDC/MTU 16V2000 diesels. Power: 1,766 kW. Speed: 14.5 kn. Flag: U.S.A. (Long Beach CA). LARCONA was towing a large crane barge at the time.

San Diego, May 7: Foss Maritime Co's  PACIFIC QUEEN. IMO number: 7932379. Gross tonnage: 106. Built 1980 by Main Iron Works Inc., Houma LA, U.S.A. Dimensions: lbp: 23.53 m b: 8.08 m. Main engine: 2 x 4 stroke, V-12 Caterpillar (D398SCAC) diesels . Power: 1,251 kW. Speed: 12.0 kn. Flag: U.S.A. (Long Beach CA). Shown here escorting the USS NEW ORLEANS.

Astoria, May 10: Brix Maritime's  HALLE FOSS   IMO number: 7114068. Gross tonnage: 227. Built 1970-11 by Quality Equipment, Inc., Houma LA, U.S.A. Dimensions: lbp: 27.79 m b: 8.53 m. Main engines: 2 x Caterpillar 12-cyl (3512 DITA) diesels. Power: 2,282 kW. Speed: - kn. Flag: U.S.A. (Portland OR). Previous names: ASTORIA-03, DEMARCO XII-79, GULF STREAM-76.

Astoria, May 10: Brix Maritime's  P. J. BRIX   IMO number: 8972950. Gross tonnage: 235. Built 1982 by Marine Industries NW, Tacoma WA, U.S.A. Dimensions: loa: 22.89 m b: 9.48 m. Main engine: diesel. Power: 2,208 kW. Speed: - kn. Flag: U.S.A. (Portland OR).

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BULKERS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER AT ASTORIA, OREGON (MAY 10, 2007) (left to right: -)

Calypso Marine Corp's gearless bulker,  TINA M.   IMO number: 81124068. Tonnages: 35,063 gt (63,284 dwt). Built 1982-07 by China Shipbuilding Corp., Taiwan. Dimensions: loa: 213.0 m b: 32.2 m. Main engine: 6-cyl 6RND76M diesel. Power: 10,742 kW. Speed: 17.3 kn. Flag: Malta (Valleta). Previous names: OAK PEARL-87, ARROW PEARL-89, BERICA-91, CALIFORNIA-97, CALIFORNIA I-97, AMEMPPOS-98, AMEMPTOS-99, AMOLYNTOS-05.

Global Pacific Shipping's  SAMMI HERALD. IMO number: 7507150. Tonnages: 15,723 gt (24,230 dwt). Cranes: 4 x 25 t. Built 1978-05 by Imai Zosen K.K., Kochi, Japan. Dimensions: loa: 170.5 m b: 22.8 m draft: 10.3 m. Main engine: Hitachi 6-cyl diesel. Power: 7,281 kW. Speed: 14.0 kn. Flag: Panama (Panama). Previous names: PACIFIC TRADER-81, STRAIT TRADER-78, RIMBA CENTRAL (at launch)-78.

Sun Panama Shipping's  HAYAMA STAR   IMO number: 9317420. Tonnages: 29,436 gt (52,900 dwt). Built 2006-10 by Oshima Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Japan. Cranes: 4 x 30 t. Dimensions: loa: 188.5 m b: 32.3 m draft: 12.2 m. Main engine: Mitsui 6-cyl diesel. Power: 6,850 kW. Speed: 14.5 kn. Flag: Panama (Panama).

Marmaras Navigation's  MARIGO P   IMO number: 9230141. Tonnages: 39,056 gt (78,810 dwt). Built 2002-01 by Namura Shipbuilding Co Ltd., Imari, Japan. Dimensions: loa: 224.9 m b: 32.2 m draft: 13.94 m. Main engine: Hitachi 7-cyl, 7S50MC-C diesel Power: 10,371 kW. Speed: 14.5 kn. Flag: Greece.

Torm Singapore's  TORM BALTIC   IMO number: 9140554. Tonnages: 36,592 gt (69,614 dwt). Built 1997 by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Numakuma, Japan. Dimensions: loa: 225.0 m b: 32.2 m draft: - m. Main engine: -. Power: - kW. Speed: 14.0 kn. Flag: Singapore. Previous names: NAVIOS MINERVA-02.

Wallem GmbH & Co's (managers) bulker / log carrier  VOGE FELIX   IMO number: 9143714. Tonnages: 14,599 gt (24,280 dwt). Built 1997-01 by Hakodate Dock, Hakodate, Japan. Cranes: 4 x -. Dimensions: loa: 157.0 m b: 26.0 m draft: - m. Main engine: Akasaka 6-cyl (6UEC45LA) diesel. Power: 5,296 kW. Speed: 14.0 kn. Flag: Liberia (Monrovia). Previous names: ANDROS-06, SEA WISDOM-03.

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ALL AT SEA - AND A COUPLE IN PORT! (left to right: -)

May 7, 2007: The LORD HORNBLOWER is a re-creation of an early 20th century coastal steamer. As far as I can determine, she was built in 1992 for Hornblower Cruises and Events, a company that operates dinner and sightseeing cruises in and around various US Pacific Coast ports, San Diego - where this photo was taken - included. I can find little information other than that she is 151 feet long and can carry up to 880 guests.

April 27, 2007: off the coast of Costa Rica - on our port beam, photographed heading south in the early morning, the Philippines registered, Panamax bulk carrier, AURORA AMETHYST,   IMO number: 9188609. Gross tonnage: 28,074 (48,893 dwt). Cranes: 4 x 30 t. Built 1999-10 by Ishikawajima-Harima H. I. Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (yard no: 3081). Dimensions: loa: 189.96 m b: 32.20 m draft: 11.62 m. Main engine: 6-cyl diesel by Diesel United. Power: 7,700 kW. Speed: 14.5 kn. Flag: Philippines (Manila).

May 3, 2007 at speed off the Mexican coast - a very familiar container ship, Costamare's  NEW YORK EXPRESS, long-term chartered to Hapag-Lloyd. IMO number: 9200823. Gross tonnage: 54,437 gt (66,818 dwt). TEU: 4,843. Built 2000-11 by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Ulsan, S. Korea. Dimensions: loa: 294.02 m b: 32.2 m draft: 13.55 m. Main engine: Hyundai 7K98MC 7-cyl diesel. Power: 40,040 kW. Speed: 24.0 kn. Flag: Greece (Piraeus). This ship is a regular visitor to Halifax .

May 9, 2007: Princess Cruise Line's futuristic DIAMOND PRINCESS (ex SAPPHIRE PRINCESS-03) photographed overtaking the VOLENDAM off the Oregon coast en route to Astoria - but we arrived first! IMO number: 9228198. Gross tonnage: 115,875 gt (14,601 dwt). Passengers: 3,100. Built 2004 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Nagasaki Shipyard, Japan. Dimensions: loa: 290.0 m b: 37.50 m draft: 8.0 m. Main engines: 2, GE Marine gas turbines + 2, Wartsila 8L46C and 2, 9L46C diesels. Power: 61,000 kW. Speed: 22.0 kn. Flag: Bermuda (Hamilton). I later saw sister-ship SAPPHIRE PRINCESS - which was badly damaged by fire while building at the same yard - berthed at Victoria, British Columbia.

May 7, 2007: MOL Ship Management's car carrier, CELESTIAL WING, bearing the HONDA legend, departing San Diego. IMO number: 9328728. Gross tonnage: 44,146 gt (15,438 dwt). Cars: 3,900. Built 2005-03 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Shimonoseki Shipyard, Japan. Dimensions: loa: 180.0 m b: 30.0 m draft: 9.22 m. Main engine: Mitsubishi Kobe 8-cyl diesel. Power: 11,560 kW. Speed: 20.1 kn. Flag: Panama.

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