cspook

Hi Guys,

For the third time in six years I am bringing a group of 40 Navy enthusiasts from the UK to the US to visit the bases, museums and memorials. Our first trip in 2004 took in New York, Boston, Baltimore, Philly and Washington. In 2006 we did Alameda, San Francisco, Long Beach, San Diego and Hawaii.

This time we are doing Chicago, Charleston, Wilmington, Norfolk, Washington, Buffalo and Hamilton (Canada). While we know which major attractions we want to do we would welcome advise on areas where we have no contacts.

In San Francisco we were lucky enough to arrange a boat trip around the fleet at Suisun Bay - is this possible with the James River Fleet? Also do you recommend anythings not to miss in Norfolk area - we are only there for three days so will only have time to do some of the things we want.

Is the USS Barry and Naval Museum at Washington open to the general public? Websites are not very clear on this and have yet to have a response from the USN Regional Commander.

Your local knowledge would be gratefully received...would hate to go all that way and miss something spectacular!!

Thanks,

Steve

Dreadnought

In Norfolk, I certainly would not miss the chance to tour the decks of USS Wisconsin (BB62) And the new Monitor Museum close by. In Washington, among the museums the Pacific War memorial is quite breath taking and there are several others close by. Or if you get the chance and are around the Balitmore area taking the day sea going tour of the USS John Brown (Liberty ship) Its an awsome bay going tour complete with dogfights, dances and the like. Baltimore Inner harbor also has a sub USS Torsk SS423.

In Philadelphia, The USS Olympia (Admiral Deweys flagship) and the last armored cruiser afloat of that era and the sub SS319 the Becuna. Or across the river in Camden the USS New Jersey (BB62).

Opps my bust, There is also a carrier in South Carolina the Yorktown (CV10), and by mistake thought Wilmington for Delaware and not for North Carolinia. North Carolina has the North Carolina (BB55) at Cape Fear as well.




Hope this helps.

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cspook

Thanks alot for this - USS Monitor is a great call and will add it to the tour - WISCONSIN is on the list (have now done all four of the Iowa class).

Have done Baltimore and Philly - and you are right - the day at sea on J.W. BROWN was fantastic!

Steve

THL

Chicago has my favorite!!! The U-505

U-505 Submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry

I have lived here my whole life, so if you have specific Chicago questions, let me know and I will do my best to help.

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"To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are."-Sholem Asch

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cspook

We have recce'd Chicago already. Will start the tour from UK there, just to see U-505 and probably stay for two nights around Navy Pier. Flights south to Charleston SC are going to be a pain, but easier to return to UK from Toronto so better I think to work from south to north up the seaboard.

Steve

Dreadnought

Ok, Who let the Liberal out of the hold. ESPECIALLY DURING AN ELECTION SEASON!

Hey THL, LTNS.

RAL's_pal?

Actually I'm curious to what they looked at in Long Beach in 2006... the container facility that once was the shipyard? ..maybe the Queen Mary?

cspook

Its a long way by road from SF to SD so Queen Mary overnight was good...and there was the bonus of the Russian Foxtrot class submarine SCORPION berthed ahead of her..

All help and comments appreciated...

Gun Grape

Yes the Naval Museum is open to the public. However, since you are a non DoD person you need to call the museum for an appointment. Its not a major issue, but they will get your name on the access list at the guard shack and may have someone there to meet you.

I've been there 3 times and didn't want to leave

their phone number is:

Phone: 202-433-4882; Fax 202-433-8200

Now, If the squids want to play hardball and not let you in, Might I suggest the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Its about 35 miles down the road in Quantico Va. Not Navy, BETTER

The National Museum of the Marine Corps: Tour Information

cspook

Great info..I will give them a call. Thanks.

wabpilot

Take some dirt, get it wet, you now have mud and have seen everything the National Museum of the Marine Corps has to offer.