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173--California: The Final Voyage of the USS Midway @ CherieSpotting     Jan 10 2004 - 17:10 PST cherie writes: It’s always a vision first. Then it becomes a dream. When you throw determination into the mix, it becomes a mission. Alan Uke, a San Diego businessman, couldn’t bear to see such a magnificent ship salvaged for scrap metal. In some way, the USS Midway owes its life to Alan. Alan Uke wanted future generations to experience “Midway Magic.” Commissioned on September 10, 1945, the 1001-foot aircraft carrier Midway served her country for 47 years. It was the longest serving aircraft carrier in the Navy’s history. Over that half-century, over 200,000 brave Americans called Midway home. For 10-years Midway was the largest ship in the world--too big to transit the Panama Canal. Midway was most recently was the flagship for Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf and has seen action in every major conflict in the last half of the 20th century. The task of turning this aircraft carrier into a museum wasn’t quick, cheap or easy. Alan Uke dedicated 12-years of his life, raised 14 million dollars, and soldiered through numerous ups and downs to make his vision a reality. “Midway is not another artificial cultural attraction,” Alan said. “It’s historic.” Now San Diego will have the largest aircraft-carrier museum in the United States. A tribute to the Navy, Midway will be a naval aviation museum and education center. Set to open in early summer 2004, the average admission price will be $10.50 with discounts for military, veterans, seniors and children. Midway’s final voyage was on January 10, 2004. She arrived at her new berth, Navy Pier 11A, under the warm glow of the late-morning sun. Jean, Greg and I were aboard. Here are the photos and video. To find out more about “Midway Magic” click on www.midway.org video [5 Megs, Windows Media] Click on each picture to see it full size. read comments (0) | write comment| views: 5543    | rated: 0.0    printer-friendly version   Cherie's been crew on many ship's before, but never one 1001-feet long. *Photo by Greg. Jean poses by this huge prop much smaller than the ones on the Midway. The Midway was propelled by four, 18-foot propellers that weighed 22 tons. Cherie and Jean on the boat ride over to the Midway. We love to be patriotic early in the morning. *Photo by Greg. We approch the Midway, looking magestic in the warmth of the early morning sun. Curator George Cagle. Midway's neighbor, the aircraft carrier next door. Cherie in front of an aircraft carrier. *Photo by Greg. There's Jean! The Navy Band boards the USS Midway. Three sailors. *Photo by Jean. Midway Magic. Jean, with the Navy Band behind her. Jean used to play the flute. The Navy Band delights the crew with patriotic tunes. Cherie and Jean on the USS Midway. Jean's excited for the final voyage. Cherie, proud to be a passenger on the final voyage. *Photo by Greg. The flag proudly waves goodbye as the crew loosens the lines on the Midway. You need a big anchor to keep a 74,000-ton ship from dragging. Jean standing proud. Everyone gathers on the flight deck to watch the Midway twist around San Diego Bay. Sailors prepare to release the lines. Thar she goes! The tugs are all lined up, ready to push and pull. It takes four men to handle the huge line on the dock. It takes five men to pull the line in on the ship. Look! The aircraft carrier is actually carrying aircraft. The Midway leaves her berth. Father Westling enjoys the ride. Everyone gathers to watch the tugs. Cherie enjoys the view. *Photo by Jean. All smiles on a beautiful day. The little tug that could. Do you know how hard it was to get that helicopter to hover over my head? *Photo by Jean. Notice Jean at the end of the row (taking the photo.) The chopper swings by. With a little perspective, you can grasp how enormous that helicopter is. Jean would like to present--the helicopter. Cherie and Jean. *Photo by Greg. The USS Midway turns on a dime. Crowds gather to watch the Midway dock. News crews cover the historic event. Midway will be the nations largest aircraft-carrier museum. A beautiful day for a fly-by. Greg would love to have that boat in a waterfight. Coming into dock, the Midway churns up the bottom of San Diego Bay. Jean snaps another shot. Some lingered on deck, savoring the last few moments of the Midway's journey. The Midway lands. Jean, Greg and Cherie. *Photo by random stranger.