Tuesday, April 12, 2005

semen seamen, 4 o'clock!

This Thursday at 4pm, the USS Stethem, the Navy's finest destroyer, will be docking at the Port of Los Angeles for five fun-filled days. The USS Stethem is part of the Navy's Commander Destroyer Squadron Two Three (CDS 23), Home of the Little Beavers. (I couldn't make this shit up if I tried.)

You can't expect the Navy's finest destroyer to roll without an entourage. The Stethem rolls with the most powerful fireboat in the world, the Warner Lawrence, just in case it gets so hot that something needs to be hosed down. How powerful is it? The Warner Lawrence can impel a projectile force of water directly over the 385-foot high Vincent Thomas Bridge. That's hot.

This all goes down at Berth 46. Public tours will be available on Friday and Saturday mornings, from 8:30am to 11am. Due to tight security procedures, tours are limited to the first 500 visitors. Free tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis in the public parking lot on the corner of 22nd and Miner streets in San Pedro.

This is part of the US Navy League's Annual Navy Days LA, taking place April 14-18. There are tons of events planned throughout the week, but sailors can also be found partying at Pistons Bar and Club Fire Island in Long Beach.

(Thanks to Jose at Score.)

1 comment:

Los Angeles Fire Department said...

Celia:

While far from being a jet aircraft, the Warner Lawrence mentioned in yout post is indeed owned by the citizens of Los Angeles, and protects *all* maritime traffic in the busiest seaport on the Pacific Rim.

Also known as LAFD Fireboat #2, it is indeed the most powerful fireboat in the world.

To view the newest LAFD Fireboats at their recent dedication:

http://www.freqofnature.com/photos/newfireboat2/index.html

Fireboat#2 is housed at LAFD Station #112, and like all Neighborhood Fire Stations in the City of Los Angeles, will be participating in our Fire Service Recogntion Day Open House on May 14, 2005. For more information:

http://www.lafd.org/fsd.htm

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Information Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department