I was in New Orleans this week at an energy business convention. While there the US Navy and friends showed up for a party. A party to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the war of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. New Orleans is the innaugral city of a three year fifteen city celebration. I mean if you are going to celebrate, you might as well start in New Orleans.
The USS Frank Mitscher, a Guided Missile Destroyer. The ship has a brand new skipper, in February this year Commander Monika Stoker assumed command of the ship. She is also the first African American woman to command an American warship.
The USS Dewert, an “Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate.” Reportedly in October 2011 this ship, along with a British vessel, rescued a an Italian Merchantmen from Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean.
The French Navy Germinal, a light monitoring frigate, showed up for the party also.
The USS Wasp, an Amphibious Assault Ship. It is a lot bigger than what it looks like in this photograph. This is as close as I could get.
It carries a whole bunch of Marines and their equipment. Reportedly, about 3000 sailors from the various ships had a pretty good time Tuesday night in the French Quarter.
The modern warships were great and a special to see but the big attraction was the Tall Ships that came in to celebrate also.
The Coast Guard’s WIX Eagle a training ship was there. She started out as the the German vessel, SSS Horst Wessel. Adolf Hilter attended her commissioning. The United States seized her after World War II.
The Indonesian’s sent their KRI Dewaruci, their navy’s training vessel. It also was built in Germany in the 1930’s. It
I loved the woodwork on this ship.
Ecuador sent their BAE Guayas, another training vessel. It was my favorite because of the condor below.
I just hope that all the sailors get back to their ships, the right ships.
These ships are awesome!! One of the things I loved about living in New Orleans was being able to see ships and be able to go up river on the paddle-wheelers! I do get the feeling that you’re enjoying your stay there! Marvelous captures!!
Sylvia
Looks like there was a flotilla in New Orleans to welcome you, Yogi! You didn’t party with the sailors did you?
Thanks for the ship shots and accompanying text. That condor was eye-catching too.
Just LOVE these images, especially the USCG training ship.
My Honey’s first training ship was the Christian Radich – Norway’s training sail ship. We have visited her in person in Oslo while tied up near her aboard Splendour of the Seas and have a very large model of her in our living room.
Just love this post. ;)))
Wow .. what a great fleet of ships you captured .. wait .. is fleet of ships a collective noun or an oxymoron or just redundant?
What a special treat for you. I really like the tall ships with all the fancy work. And especially the condor.
Great photos, Yogi! I wish I had been there with my camera.
How interesting that you celebrate the War of 1812! We are celebrating it here in Canada too. 🙂 Hmmm.
Those eagles are amazing – and a little scary.
The sailing ships are beautiful. It seems that you were in New Orleans at a good time.
Love the tall ships too.
I would love to see those tall ships. The modern ships are amazing examples of technology but the sailing ships are works of art.
We’ve come a long way from the days when African Americans could only serve in the galley and women could not serve on ships at all.
That golden eagle figurehead is impressive!
These boats are amazing!
Very interesting. How did you learn so much about these ships?