The USS Canopus was my first ship. It was a submarine tender based in Kings Bay, GA. I was sent there in September 1992 and stay thru her decommissioning in November 1994.
Ships emblem
Some basic stats...Commissioned - 11/4/65
Decommissioned - 10/7/94
Scrapped - 2010 (sniff)
Length - 644 feet
Width - 85 feet
Speed - 20 knots
2 steam turbine boilers
The pic above shows 2 subs alongside. Instead of being broadside the pier like normal, Canopus was tied up ass-end to the pier. We could tend more subs that way. We would supply weapons, food, mail and other supplies to them.
Being a tender, it didn't need to go out to sea much, the subs mainly came to it. We did spend 3 months in Norfolk in 1993. We went there via the Bahamas!
_Norfolk_VA_1994.jpeg)
I started out in deck department, chipping and painting the outside of the ship. I spent many hours on that front area, the foc'scle (or forecastle) with my bucket & roller. But I knew I didn't want to stay a "Deck Dog" so I got into the post office.
I was on the Decommissioning Crew. In late 1994, we basically stripped the ship of all useful items, had a (for me, tearful - I'm a sucker for Taps!) ceremony where the flag was lowered for the final time. It was towed away and eventually scrapped. That video was so hard to watch - so here's a link to some clips of the decommissioning ceremony. There's actually some pretty cool shots of the ship itself. Totally brings back memories.
#AtoZChallenge
I did not know there was a navy base in GA.
ReplyDeleteThere is a tiny bit of Georgia that touches the Atlantic. I had to look it up myself before I was sent there! It's about 7 miles from the Florida border.
DeleteWow, I bet that was emotional for you after spending that time on it!
ReplyDeleteI confess a tear or three may have fallen as I watched it. There's a lot of history going away when those ships get scrapped.
DeleteSometimes whatever happens occurs happens for the best. Awesome looking ship pity she had to go. Parting is such sweet sorrow. New follower.
ReplyDeleteHi! She was a good looking ship, wasn't she?
DeleteI have now read a lot of your posts and all of your pages. It is a delight to get to know you! I will absolutely be back for more.
ReplyDeleteA to Z Challenger #425
theglasshouseretreat.com
Aw thanks! I love your theme of Inspirational Words, too.
DeleteHow sad that the ship had to be scrapped. Sounds like a very emotional ceremony. I'm thrilled to be learning about your life in the Navy. Thank you for your service!
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
You're welcome - it was my honor to have served! I haven't decided which I'd rather not see - a ship being scrapped or the ones that were sunk to become artificial reefs?
DeleteI loved the old girl and still remember how to walk around her in the dark. I left her in 1990 from the MARDET. Good times.
ReplyDeletethe canopus as34 was the first ship i ever stepped on and sleeped on. i had a very close friend in the female crew 1980/1981.
ReplyDeleteshe had an indian name that sounded like seequita, wooten. i think she had gone up in rank to E-3. sometimes she would take readings, looking after the boats along side the pier. i was a mess management on that small vessel called the S.V.C. Crayfish TWR-682. we drank hot chocolate during that winter of 1980 and sometime in 1981 was discharged for being pregnant. i really do want to catch up.with her. i am unclear of the first name other than sounding like seequita wooten-nickname sunshine
contact me at gfedorowicz@gmail.com
Sorry, that's a few years before I got there. Have you tried checking the Canopus FaceBook page? It's an open group and members span its entire life. You could post and ask if anyone has heard of her? Good luck in your search!
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