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| Landmark #1029 | Alameda County | Visited: May 31, 2014 | Plaque? NO. 🙁 |
| What is it? | The U.S.S. Hornet has been decommissioned but is still a mighty cool floating museum! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: In 1991 the Hornet was designated a National Historic Landmark both for its service in the Pacific in World War II and as the recovery ship for the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 astronauts. Involved in several of the heaviest and most critical battles in the Pacific, the Hornet earned seven battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. The Hornet or its aircrews were responsible for destroying more than 1400 enemy aircraft. After undergoing modernization the ship was called to service in recovering the landing capsules for the Apollo space program. The Apollo 11 mission was the first landing on the moon. The Hornet, with President Nixon on board, picked up astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins from the sea in the summer of 1969, welcoming them to earth from their historic mission. The Hornet recovered the astronauts of Apollo 12 before the carrier was decommissioned in 1970.
OTHER TIDBITS: On the tour, I learned a lot about life aboard an aircraft carrier! For instance, did you know that military airplanes and helicopters can fold up their wings and propellors for easy storage inside the ship? Or, did you also know that the Apollo astronauts had to be quarantined upon their return to Earth in order to prevent the spread of exotic space diseases? One of the simplest, yet neatest, things about the ship was just the way it moves! Out at sea, the wind can be a very tricky factor in take-off and landing of aircraft, so an aircraft carrier actually has to compensate for wind speed by driving at a precise angle and speed to make it possible for planes and helicopters to take off! This is all organized by the Flight Boss, who sits in a tall island and monitors the planes! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Pier 3 North, Alameda Point 707 West Hornet Ave Alameda, CA 94501 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~373mi (601km) — 6.3hrs |
| When should I go? | The museum is open every day of the week from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM! |
