One Of Charleston's Most Popular And Absorbing Tours--Patriots Point Naval And Maritime Museum

At one time, a monstrous steel behemoth prowling the Pacific high seas in the likeness of Herman Melville's Moby Dick, the USS Yorktown has long since its glory days been permanently anchored in the tidal sands of Patriots Point in Charleston. A floating military menace to the opposing forces of World War II, it is now a fascinating attraction that gives the ordinary citizen a glimpse into the military technology of the day and what life was like for those who manned its broad decks and armaments.

The USS Yorktown was the tenth aircraft carrier to serve in the United States Navy, commissioned on April 15, 1943. This Essex-class carrier was built in 16 1/2 months and renamed in honor of the Yorktown (CV-5) sunk at the epic Battle of Midway in 1942. It received the Presidential Unit Citation and earned 11 battle stars for its service from its commission date to the defeat of Japan in 1945.

Yorktown was modernized to operate jet aircraft as an attack carrier (CVA) in the 1950s, re-designated an anti-submarine aircraft carrier (CVS) in 1957, and later earned five battle stars for service off Vietnam from 1965-68. The ship also recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts and capsule in December of 1968 before being decommissioned in 1970.

Yorktown's displacement was over 27,000 tons and 872 feet in length at the time it was built. When upgraded in 1956, it increased to over 30,000 tons and 888 feet. As with all American carriers of the time, the Yorktown originally had a flight deck made of teak wood instead of armored plating, which gave the carrier greater striking power with more aircraft. Yorktown was towed from Bayonne, NJ to Charleston in 1975 to become the centerpiece of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, later joined by the destroyer USS Laffey in 1981 and the submarine USS Clamagore that same year. You enter the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum at the Visitors Center through a turnstile, where there is a gift shop and ticket booths. Regular adult admission is $24, children 6-11 is $16, and senior tickets are $19.

I purchased my tickets and headed down a long walkway to where Yorktown was moored along with the Laffey. I then ascended wide steps to the large entrance leading into the ship's immense hangar deck where there was an information center flanked by historical displays and vintage aircraft running the length of the deck to the ship's theater at the end. You can choose several different tours. I was interested in checking out the new Engine Room Experience first and entered at the designated start point to begin my descent into the lower decks abyss. I descended steep steel ladder stairs with limited headroom to the deck where the galley was, along with medical quarters and rooms with dental chairs. I was greeted by an overwhelming pungent metallic diesel odor and wondered how anyone could get used to the inexorable noxious smell. Beyond the galley were the sleeping quarters with multilevel berths for a crew of almost 3,000.

After exploring this deck, I descended more steep confining latter stairs ducking my head so as not to bang it on the low steel beams to the lower decks and entered the glass doors to the new Engine Room Experience. The newly-renovated space used the latest technology to bring the story of the engine room to life and makes it easier for guests to understand the duties and purpose of this integral part of an aircraft carrier. It includes 15 unique halo-lit images, a virtual tour station of the lower decks of the engine room, a touchscreen kiosk using animation to explain how the engine of the USS Yorktown functions, and "holobox" scene showing a sailor lighting a boiler and another of him finding a steam leak--an unseeable danger to anyone who would walk into its path.

From the Engine Room Experience, I descended a series of steep ladders to reach the engine room. The pungent smell was beginning to affect me and exiting the lower decks was becoming mandatory, but I toughed it out to check out the massive boilers mounted with a plethora of valves and gauges. Satisfied, I quickly exited for the upper decks and fresh air.

My next move was ascending to the flight deck for a tour of the bridge, the command center, and air-traffic control--the strategic brains of the ship. On the flight deck were numerous aircraft, helicopters, and a stunning view of the surrounding Charleston landscape. It was breezy the day I stepped onto the flight deck, so hold onto your hat.

 

I ended my visit with a quick tour of the destroyer, USS Laffey--nicknamed 'The Ship That Would Not Die.' Two very absorbing features are the Combat Information Center and Mount 53. Upon entering the new CIC exhibit, a dual hologram appears and radar repeaters show a sweeping motion as they "search" for enemy submarines. Radio transmissions recreate one of the many tense moments from the Cold War. In the Mount 53 exhibit, you will take a step back in time to April 16, 1945 during an historic kamikaze attack and witness what it was like for the brave men serving in the gun mount. Entering the gun mount is challenging and the experience is very intense. I did not tour the Submarine. I will do that on my next visit.

Patriots Point has become one of South Carolina's most popular tourist attractions. It is informative, absorbing, and entertaining. Other attractions are the Vietnam Experience Exhibit, Medal of Honor Museum, and Flight Academy. Parking is $5 for the day.