Tugboats move the cruiser USS Worcester (CL-144) to the pier on 26 May 1959 at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Worcester had been decommissioned on 19 December 1958 and was joining her sister USS Roanoke (CL-145) which had been decommissioned earlier on 31 October 1958.

Sailors battle a fire that had broken out on the fantail of the battleship USS Wyoming (BB-32) on 25 April 1915. During routine exercises, an oil tank had caught fire and begun burning at the stern. Prompt damage control quickly brought the fire under control without any serious injuries.

As a naval historian: I tried the same arguement when I broke a window in my parent's house as a child. The arguement "It's just a window, you can buy another. Your son's life is more important" did not work at all. In fact, I seem to remember the belt being swung with somewhat greater conviction.

We interrupt whatever political nonsense you are cawing about to present some sweet Type P Mark 6 catapult footage.

All the self-proclaimed "experts" are ignoring the practical applications of the rocket-propelled Tesla. When Christmas rolls around and Mariah Carey's song comes on, I can conveniently launch myself into the nearest highway overpass.

Firepower Friday! The Japanese battleship Mutsu fires a salvo from her aft 41cm (16.1") turrets during gunnery exercises in 1922. Mutsu was the newest battleship to join the Imperial Japanese Navy, having been commissioned the previous year on 24 October 1921. She was likely still working up when this photo was taken, her crew still becoming accustomed to their new ship and its equipment.

Firepower Friday! The cover of the 31 October 1909 issue of the New York Tribune. The issue highlights the new battleship USS Delaware (BB-28), then entering its final stages of construction. It also describes to the reader how far its naval guns could reach. The battleship is shown sitting off the mouth of New York City harbor. All the major landmarks that would be within range of its guns are then listed.

Congratulations! It's a boy! The ballistic missile submarine USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642) fires a sabot (also sometimes known as a slug) during a demonstration firing of her missile silo. The water has been dyed, giving it that vibrant blue color. The photo was taken at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in August of 1965.

I would like to attribute the success of my history page/sites to my college professor who handled American studies to 1850. She wasn't a spectacular professor, or even a decent one. However, her opening remarks on the first day of her class have always stuck with me. "The American Dream is dead and you are a fool if you believe it." To this day, I remember those words and keep pushing just to prove her wrong. I'd also like point out that maybe the American Dream died for her because she is the one who chose to specialize in the study of lesbians in women's baseball. I can only imagine the wealth of doors that opened to her with that skillset.

A Martin JRM Mars flying boat belonging to the United States Navy tests out her handling while conducting trials in San Francisco Bay in 1953. It might not look impressive at first, but the Martin JRM Mars was the largest flying boat built by the United States. The giant flying boat had a wingspan of 200' (61m) and was 117' (35.7m) long. The photo shows the flying boat was quite maneuverable on the water, possessing a turning circle a little greater than its own wingspan. This particular aircraft was named Philippine Mars and is still around today. She has recently arrived at her new home at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona where she can be visited.

The Royal Navy battlecruisers HMS Tiger (foreground) and HMS Renown (background) steaming together in rough seas during the later part of World War 1 though before Tiger's 1918 refit.

Three heavy cruisers of the New Orleans class fight heavy seas off Cape Horn in May of 1939. The cruisers, belonging to Cruiser Division 7, were visiting several ports in South America on a goodwill tour. The video was taken from USS San Francisco (CA-38) which was serving as the flagship. The video focuses on USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37) and USS Quincy (CA-39).

The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34) moored at Sasebo, Japan, on 27 October 1953. The Essex class aircraft carrier is accompanied by the Iowa class battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64) which is moored in the background.

Of the original program, I was rooting for the BIW/GD proposal for a modified version of the F100 class frigates for the 48 VLS cells. I thought they were a bit overqualified to be frigates as they were, but thought it was easier to strip them down versus building another design up. On the other hand, with the Navy's fascination to build "mini-destroyers" in capability, they best filled that role. So far as the next design goes, my biggest desire is to simply see construction spread out amount multiple shipyards to speed up construction and cause competition.

I wish the gents trying to figure out the US frigate would read, nay, understand this concept. More VLS cells equal more flexibility.

Cannot argue with the cool factor. I'm rather fond of the lattice masts on the Royal Navy's destroyers (HMAS Anzac of the Battle class here). Gave them a pleasing appearance in a more business forward sense.

The Baltimore class heavy cruiser USS Saint Paul (CA-73) providing gunfire support during the Vietnam War. The video, taken from an orbiting helicopter, not only captured three salvos being fired, but also show the cruiser from all angles.

A Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk that had suffered a mishap of some sort while aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41) in November of 1960. There was not a lot of data on this photo and I am unsure if the aircraft suffered a mishap while landing or if it had tipped over while being maneuvered about the flightdeck. In either case, the A4D-2 was a sturdy aircraft and was likely back in service in good order in due time.