Oracle of DelphiThe Kitty Hawk Has Landed.
July 9th 2007 06:34
....well....a hawk is a type of eagle...
Twas a lovely day here in Sydney on Saturday 07/07/07.
If you're a penguin. Or a boat nut.
It was freezing but as there was a big Rugby match to look forward to, we thought we'd 'prep' and battle the elements.
Wind, chop and steel.
The USS Kitty Hawk is berthed in Sydney...and hopefully the birth rate dosn't rise in 9 months time...
(Please click on images to see...um...enlarged images)
We felt like going to see her up close and...personnel...(ha!)...bec ause she is a biiiiiig ship.
...and you think Rugby props are big???
Although we didn't bother going to see the Queen Mary when she royally waved our shores...but that was mainly because we knew the morons with more dollars than sense would be out in force on the water.
I guess why this time was 'different' is becuse it's winter and the harbour is fairly empty and therefore not as chopped up.
...and...It's a war ship.
You come face to face with a Weapon of Mass Destruction.
The ship is magnificent.
It's what she represents that is significant. And scary as hell.
The realisation that this ship is a lethal deviceberg... I mean...what if the wrong button gets pressed by mistake?????
We weren't allowed too close to her. The Navy patrol kept a close eye on visitors by water and gone are the days whenterrorists tourists could climb on board for a look-see.
Invited and DNA checked guests only.
...and while the good people of Sydney had all eyes on deck, I'm sure budding papparazzo(?) amongst the sailor boys had lenses trained opposite...to catch a glimpse of a Gladiator who tends to play Romper Stomper's all over the papps...
Eek! Do I qualify as a papp now???
Some important facts about the super carrier USS Kitty Hawk:
- she is the second naval ship named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers' first flight.
- average daily soft drink consumption; 5,040 cans
- average number of eggs served daily; 9,600 - 12, 000
- loaves of bread baked daily; 900
- No she is not the aircraft carrier used in 'Top Gun'....
...and if you want to know many more interesting facts and figures, including some relevant ones visit the official site...
I leave you with a bridge over...for once...untroubled waters.....no, that's not a metaphor, the harbour was quite calm that day....
Displacement: 60,000 tons, 82,200 tons full load
Length: 1,047.5 ft (323.8 m)
Beam: 252 ft (76.8 m) extreme, 129.3 ft (39 m) waterline
Draught: 35.8 feet (10.9 m)
Propulsion: Eight steam boilers
Speed: 35 knots (65 km/h)
Complement: 4,582 officers and men
Armament: RIM-7 Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles, 2 RIM-116 RAM, 4 Phalanx CIWS Automated Anti-Missile/Aircraft Defenses
Aircraft carried: 85
Nickname: "Miss Kitty" "Shitty Kitty" "Battlecat" or "Death Hawk"
Above info courtesy if our pal Wiki
Twas a lovely day here in Sydney on Saturday 07/07/07.
If you're a penguin. Or a boat nut.
It was freezing but as there was a big Rugby match to look forward to, we thought we'd 'prep' and battle the elements.
Wind, chop and steel.
The USS Kitty Hawk is berthed in Sydney...and hopefully the birth rate dosn't rise in 9 months time...
(Please click on images to see...um...enlarged images)
We felt like going to see her up close and...personnel...(ha!)...bec ause she is a biiiiiig ship.
...and you think Rugby props are big???
Although we didn't bother going to see the Queen Mary when she royally waved our shores...but that was mainly because we knew the morons with more dollars than sense would be out in force on the water.
I guess why this time was 'different' is becuse it's winter and the harbour is fairly empty and therefore not as chopped up.
...and...It's a war ship.
You come face to face with a Weapon of Mass Destruction.
The ship is magnificent.
It's what she represents that is significant. And scary as hell.
The realisation that this ship is a lethal deviceberg... I mean...what if the wrong button gets pressed by mistake?????
We weren't allowed too close to her. The Navy patrol kept a close eye on visitors by water and gone are the days when
Invited and DNA checked guests only.
...and while the good people of Sydney had all eyes on deck, I'm sure budding papparazzo(?) amongst the sailor boys had lenses trained opposite...to catch a glimpse of a Gladiator who tends to play Romper Stomper's all over the papps...
Eek! Do I qualify as a papp now???
Some important facts about the super carrier USS Kitty Hawk:
- she is the second naval ship named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers' first flight.
- average daily soft drink consumption; 5,040 cans
- average number of eggs served daily; 9,600 - 12, 000
- loaves of bread baked daily; 900
- No she is not the aircraft carrier used in 'Top Gun'....
...and if you want to know many more interesting facts and figures, including some relevant ones visit the official site...
...I feel the need...
...the need for...
...um...Chinese food?
I leave you with a bridge over...for once...untroubled waters.....no, that's not a metaphor, the harbour was quite calm that day....
Displacement: 60,000 tons, 82,200 tons full load
Length: 1,047.5 ft (323.8 m)
Beam: 252 ft (76.8 m) extreme, 129.3 ft (39 m) waterline
Draught: 35.8 feet (10.9 m)
Propulsion: Eight steam boilers
Speed: 35 knots (65 km/h)
Complement: 4,582 officers and men
Armament: RIM-7 Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles, 2 RIM-116 RAM, 4 Phalanx CIWS Automated Anti-Missile/Aircraft Defenses
Aircraft carried: 85
Nickname: "Miss Kitty" "Shitty Kitty" "Battlecat" or "Death Hawk"
Above info courtesy if our pal Wiki
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I remember about 10 years ago I was doing a uni production (documentary) on Kings Cross. So off we trotted down to the red light district and on one particular weekend we came across some very nice US sailors.
They're such a friendly bunch, bought me drinks and had a chat....and that's it. I think they were put off by the two guy friends I was with.
But Sydney is just too miserable at the moment to go down to the harbour. Bloody rain.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
It was lovely down by the Wharf Saturday arvo - slightly cold, but the lovely sun was out. I was there too!
Comment by David
Great pics. I love the last one.
Does anyone know why it's here?
David ...
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
...and perhaps to help out the businesses at the Cross...
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I'm not a fan of this weather, so was really happy to se the sun break through on Saturday.
DDH and the boys would go out in the boat in a cyclone but I draw the line at that...
What was your doco about??
Thanks for coming by Mrs M
Be well.
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I had the weirdest thought on Saturday....I looked at the people standing in the park and pathway across from the boat and near the Boy Charlton pool and wondered if there was anyone there who might be an Orbler!
...I wonder if we saw each other...
...I was originally going to put one other pic up but felt a bit silly because... unless it has to do with Rugby, I don't like putting up personal pics but anyway here it is...
It was a lovely afternoon but quite cold. I was so rugged up!
Thanks for coming by Lara and for the 2nd comment...!
Be well
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
When I first read your question...I thought it referred to the first line!
As in -
The bridge
To make the Sydney North shore accessible??
....so I'm glad Lara knew what you meant!
Thanks for the compliment hon. big hug...
Dusk
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Well our uni documentary assignment concentrated on the dichotomy that is Kings Cross. By night, vibrant part of Sydney full of British backpackers, US sailors, street performers and Sydney locals looking to have a good night out and by day the harsh reality of living with drug addiction, being homeless, the Mathew Talbot hostel etc.
I'm not quite sure if we pulled it off. It has been a long time since I watched it.
Those were the days when I too was an editor and I spent so long editing it. I went to uni to become a journo but was so put off by our lecturer that I turned to video editing....and now I'm writing again.
Last time I watched that doco I spent most of my time wincing. It's a sign that I've improved I suppose.
Our group did manage to get a distinction but then when we watched all the productions back in the tutorials my tutor just ripped it to shreds....very confusing.
Mr M on the other hand got a HD that semester and the tutor said "it was the best production he had seen in 10 years".
But I'll always have Kings Cross '97...
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
I'm sorry that in these days of paranoia you couldn't take a peek aboard (war machine notwithstanding)..an aircraft carrier is an incredible thing to see.
I used to teach air traffic control classes on a few of them (including the Shitty Hawk), took a short (2 weeks) cruise on one of them and handled lines for many of them coming in to dock at San Diego, California.
Not to worry about any wrong buttons being pushed, hahahaha!! You have my personal assurance--I got to see the ordnance stations....
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
CAN YOU SEND SOME OF THAT WEATHER UP HERE PLEASE??? Sorry to shout but it`s just not fair ok.. it`s supposed to be winter and I think I have worn a jersey a grand total of about 5 times so far. The evenings are chillyish I guess....
Very impressive pics and info! hahaha re: population boom in 9 months. I`d love to pilot one of them planes... woooohoooo!!
The harbour is pretty cool... in small doses. Loved 'The Rocks' though. I was amazed they stopped running the ferries in the evenings (don`t know if they still do or if we were just unluck on that particular day)... a friend and i stayed in the city a couple of years back - got all dressed up and ready to go out for the night... stood waiting at the ferry dock for ages only to read that they had stopped running. I think it was about 8pm on a saturday night too... gutted!
great post!
ash
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Yea, I was very rugged up too...but it was beautiful in the sun.
~~~ sorry...while I drop a note to...
Hi D...what exciting jobs u had!
Hi Ash...I agree I'd like to pilot one of those planes too...!
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
(with your permission?) Hi Lara, coming to visit you. Yep, I've had some exciting jobs alright. And, uh (ahem) I got to pilot (backseat, of course) a training jet (T34 Mentor) once when I was in the Navy.
It was awesome.
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Loved all the pics....especially yours.... do the kiddies make fun of the yellow label? Is it hard to see around? Do you qualify for accomodation [wink]. This post made me giggle. Hope BIG BROTHER isn't reading this!
Mis
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
My absolute apologies for not replying to your lovely comments. I very much appreciate you taking the time to comment.
I will reply to your comments individually, as soon as possible.
Thank you...and sorry again!
Dusk
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
That would make a great title Mrs M!
...any chance of posting it on your site via YouTube?
I figured you were an editor as well because of the credits on 'My Small Italian Shotgun Weddding'
Thanks for coming by Mrs M.
I know you're probably cringing at the thought but it would be great to see the doco.
Be well
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
(Dana...I was reading Lara's post!!)
...and I'm echoing Lara's comment...what cool jobs you've had!
Wow.
...so you're familiar with the 'Shitty Hawk'!!
Air traffic control...is it true what they say? It ranks amongst the highest of high-stress jobs??
From my layman's point of view...hell yeah!
Yeah but...I'm a product of too many trashy action movies!!
Thanks for coming by D.
Just one question...what started yesterday?
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I hide my face because of privacy reasons...weird and maybe a bit of reverse vanity...I don't know...I'm just not too comfortable having my face 'out there'.
...don't want to give anyone a free dartboard ya know?
Ohhhhhhh wow!!!!!!!!!!
come on come on...a post please!!!!!
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Sure...let's do a weather swap....
I know...I was all 'Top Gun' theme when I saw the planes...my favourite was the blue and gold Chinese Dragon plane (2nd last photo...click on it to see it properly)...so wanted to a Maverick move!
We don't usually go to the harbour...Sydney has so many more amazing waterways...the harbour is a bit of a cliche (if you've got a boat)...still, via boat you do get to see parts of the harbour that are not accessible by road.
I don't know what time the ferries run to. I know that the one that goes to the Opera House goes 'til about midnight..maybe...but what a bummer!...and water taxis cost an arm, leg and a kidney! Hope you managed to have a good night anyway.
Hope you're well hon...
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Good to see you...will be visiting you soon...
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Nah the kids are used to me viewing the world through Green and Gold eyes..and I don't really know what that means!
Eeek.
...I'm sure the Navy patrol took down all the serial numbers of the boats that had gone to have a look.
Double eeek!
Thanks for coming by Mis...
hugs...Dusk
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
(What started yesterday?) -Isn't there some big soccer hoo-ha going on right now? Pardon my extreme ignorance..I don't know much about soccer. I just know you're a big sports fan, so I figured you might be following the events on T.V.