USS New York in Corfu Port again
CORFU. The ship is partially constructed from rubble from the Twin Towers.
The large amphibious United States Navy ship (USN) LPD21 USS New York docked at Corfu Port on Friday, July 5, for a short rest for its crew.
The New York is the fifth of the twelve "San Antonio" class amphibious warfare ships currently owned (and among the 26 planned to be acquired in total) by the U.S. Navy. It was built by the Northrop Grumman Ship System at the shipyards in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. It was launched in December 2007 and commissioned in November 2009. Since then, it has been stationed at the Norfolk Naval Station.
The ship was named in honour of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York, following a proposal by the then-Greek American Governor of the State, George E. Pataki, to the U.S. Department of the Navy. Hence, the ship's characteristic motto: "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget."
Symbolically, 7.5 tons of metal from the wreckage of the Twin Towers were used in the construction of this particular ship!
The New York has a full displacement of approximately 25,000 tons, a length of 208.5 metres, and a width of 32 metres. It has a crew of 360, while it can transport up to 800 Marines with their equipment. It can also carry various types of cargo and vehicles in separate compartments occupying three levels, including up to 14 amphibious assault armoured vehicles.
It features a large well deck where smaller landing craft are transported and exit through a special door at the stern. Additionally, it has a helipad and a hangar that can accommodate 4-6 helicopters simultaneously (during its visit, it carried 4 heavy transport helicopters CH-53E Super Stallion of the Marines). The ship is powered by four diesel engines with a total horsepower of 41,600, giving it a maximum speed of 22 knots and very high endurance.
All of the ship's radars and other antennas are housed within two enclosed masts to reduce its electromagnetic signature. For self-defence, it is armed with two RAM anti-missile systems with 21 missiles each, two remote-controlled 30mm guns, and several heavy machine guns.
The LPD21 USS New York has visited Corfu twice before, in November 2012 and May 2018.
GERASIMOS MARTINIS
Photo: Gerasimos Martinis
