Historic ship receiving makeover

The USS Intrepid is steeped (rich) in history: the aircraft carrier took part in major battles and withstood repeated kamikaze attacks (technique used by Japanese during WWII where explosive-laden aircraft were deliberately crashed on their targets) during the Pacific War, and later saw duty in Korea and as a recovery ship for NASA.

For the last 25 years, Intrepid has served a quieter purpose as a floating military museum, docked in the Hudson River. Now, the ageing ship will undergo an extensive overhaul.

Gov. George Pataki said the state would add $5 million to city and federal funds, totalling $58 million, for an 18-month project to renovate the USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. It closed in the fall( autumn).

"Yes, it is a museum that tells the story of heroes of the past, but it is also a home for the heroes of today", Pataki said at a formal announcement of the plan on the ship's flight deck. The 27,000-tonne carrier, nearly 274 metres long, was to be towed to a drydock for repairs.

The work would also include dredging 9,940 cubic metres of riverbed mud and upgrading pier 86, where the ship is moored.

All warships undergo periodic overhauls and refurbishing due to the effects of salt water corrosion, whether from constant motion or simply sitting idly in port.

Khaleej Times