Yesterday, the newest Nimitz-class US super carrier, the nuclear-powered USS George H.W. Bush, was commissioned in Norfolk, Virginia, by former President George H.W. Bush, with son, Pres. George W. Bush, looking on.
No other former president has visited the aircraft carrier named after him.
"I hereby place the United States Ship George H.W. Bush in commission. May God bless and guide this warship and all who shall sail in her."
This is the tenth and final vessel of the Nimitz class of aircraft carriers carrying the letters CVN (CV standing for aircraft carrier and N for nuclear). The first ship of this class, the Nimitz, was launched in 1972. It cost $6.2 billion and took five years to build. The Bush stands 20 stories above the sea and has a crew of 6000.
Length is 1,040 feet at the waterline, and 1,115 overall and can cruise at 30+ knots and carries 85 aircraft. Other ships in the class: Eisenhower, Carl Vinson, Theodore Roosevelt, Lincoln, Washington, John C. Stennis, Truman, and Reagan.
Jan. 11th, Voice of America
One Mighty Impressive Ship. --Cooter
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