Humbleto said:
USS Abraham Lincoln, Thanks for asking
Hey guys, You are welcome.
Humbleto, He's on the Lincoln? Hey, I built that one!
Now before he jumps overboard, I was one of about 20,000+
Think the Lincoln was CVN-72?
Newport New Shipbuilding had an Engineering office up in the mountains of NC here. I was a Mechanical Engineer that worked in the electrical engineering division. I'll never forget my first trip to the waterfront. I had seen the carriers in "person" out in the water, but, never been next to, or, on one. My first trip down to the water and standing beside a carrier was like standing at the bottom of sheer cliffside - totally amazing. You read they are 1000'+ feet long and 14 stories high, but, until near or one it does not have the right perspective.
My last project there, believe it was the Lincoln, (know for sure it CVN-72 because it was the first of the set as the built them in pairs - 72 & 73, then 74 & 75), I was doing some work on top of the island and actually got to up on the very top. The view is amazing from up there. That's when you really get a perspective of the flight deck. Remember reading once that until about the late 70's, when the carriers were in dry dock, they were the tallest structures in Newport News. Amazing machines.
I also walked under CVN-72. She was in drydock up on the "pallets" and the building super took me under - OHMYGOSH! I think some of what I saw was classified, so, I better hush, but I will say this - seeing railroad ties in splinters, yes splinters, is an amazing site that I don't think I will ever forget. The shipyard was the coolest job I ever had - loved those Reagan/Bush years if you were a defense contractor.
Should be very proud of your Son serving his country. Pray that he stays safe and well and returns home to you soon.
Take care,
Eddie
