The USS Independence, a decommissioned aircraft carrier, was towed to the Port of Brownsville for dismantling, marking the end of its nearly 40-year service. A ceremony honoring veterans was held as the ship made its final journey, with former crew members reflecting on their experiences aboard.
Key points from this article:
The USS Independence, launched in 1958 and decommissioned in 1998, was towed to the Port of Brownsville for dismantling by International Shipbreaking Ltd.
How the ceremony at Dolphin Cove honored veterans, with former crew member Bill Wallen sharing memories of his service on the ship during its maiden voyage in 1959.
Why the Independence's dismantling is significant as it is the last of the Forrestal class carriers, representing a pivotal era in naval aviation history.
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USS Independence completes its last voyage – Towed to Brownsville Texas
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The USS Independence was towed last Thursday into the Port of Brownsville where it will be dismantled for scrap. CV-62 was launched in 1958 and served almost 40 years in the Fleet before it was decommissioned in 1998. Watch the Independence Being Towed on its Final Voyage International Shipbreaking Ltd. President Chris Green credited the Port of […]
The USS Independence was towed last Thursday into the Port of Brownsville where it will be dismantled for scrap. CV-62 was launched in 1958 and served almost 40 years in the Fleet before it was decommissioned in 1998.
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Watch the Independence Being Towed on its Final Voyage
International Shipbreaking Ltd. President Chris Green credited the Port of Brownsville and Cameron County for the ceremony honoring veterans who served on the carrier Thursday at Dolphin Cove. The “supercarrier” passed on the horizon behind the podium at the gazebo. Flags from the color guard waved with the sea breeze as speakers said farewell to the ship.
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Former Indy electrician Bill Wallen was asked to talk about his experience on the ship. He was on the maiden voyage after its commissioning in January 1959. He served his nearly six years aboard the Indy. “I had a good time, and I’ve been a lot of places and seen a lot of things — a lot of things I didn’t want to see, but I saw,” Wallen said.
His son, Bill Wallen Jr., also served on the boat. Having his son and grandsons there with him was “important,” he said.” – Brownsville Herald
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The Independence is the last of the Forrestal class carriers which were known as the first ‘supercarriers’ because of their massive size, 25% larger than the prior Midway class carriers.
Featured image of People lining the jetties as they watch the USS Independence being towed into the Brownsville Ship Channel for salvage on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at South Padre Island, Texas. A group of the ship’s past crew members stood and watched as the ship was towed up the channel toward International Shipbreaking Ltd., the recycling company that won the contract to scrap the ship. Photo by Nathan Lambrecht/The Monitor via AP
The USS Independence was towed last Thursday into the Port of Brownsville where it will be dismantled for scrap. CV-62 was launched in 1958 and served almost 40 years in the Fleet before it was decommissioned in 1998.
Watch the Independence Being Towed on its Final Voyage
International Shipbreaking Ltd. President Chris Green credited the Port of Brownsville and Cameron County for the ceremony honoring veterans who served on the carrier Thursday at Dolphin Cove. The “supercarrier” passed on the horizon behind the podium at the gazebo. Flags from the color guard waved with the sea breeze as speakers said farewell to the ship.
Former Indy electrician Bill Wallen was asked to talk about his experience on the ship. He was on the maiden voyage after its commissioning in January 1959. He served his nearly six years aboard the Indy. “I had a good time, and I’ve been a lot of places and seen a lot of things — a lot of things I didn’t want to see, but I saw,” Wallen said.
His son, Bill Wallen Jr., also served on the boat. Having his son and grandsons there with him was “important,” he said.” – Brownsville Herald
The Independence is the last of the Forrestal class carriers which were known as the first ‘supercarriers’ because of their massive size, 25% larger than the prior Midway class carriers.
Featured image of People lining the jetties as they watch the USS Independence being towed into the Brownsville Ship Channel for salvage on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at South Padre Island, Texas. A group of the ship’s past crew members stood and watched as the ship was towed up the channel toward International Shipbreaking Ltd., the recycling company that won the contract to scrap the ship. Photo by Nathan Lambrecht/The Monitor via AP
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