Located on a peninsula between the confluence of the Cooper and Ashley Rivers, the city was the first English settlement in South Carolina. The surrounding Low Country has proved a rich and fertile land, producing rice, cotton, indigo and lumber. The great planter and merchant families that rose from this bounty made Charleston a glittering centre of wealth, power and culture. St. Michael's Episcopal Church, built 1752, is the oldest church building in the city-both George Washington and Robert E. Lee attended services there, sitting in Pew 41. And it was in Charleston Harbour, of course, that the first rounds were fired in America's tragic Civil War.
I visited Patriots Point where there is a static display that includes a second world war aircraft carrier "USS Yorktown." and destroyer "Laffey". Also a submarine and a very good reproduction of an army base in Vietnam.
The Yorktown was commissioned on April 15, 1943. She played a significant role in the Pacific offensive beginning in 1943 and ending in the defeat of Japan in 1945. The ship earned 11 battle stars for service in World War II. In December, 1968 the Yorktown also recovered the crew of Apollo 8, the first manned spacecraft to circle the moon. On board is an impressive display of vintage warplanes from World War II to Desert Storm in the 40,000 square foot hangar bay and on the flight deck.
"Clamagore," one of the Navy's last diesel powered submarines. Commissioned too late to see action in World War II, Clamagore served 30 years during the Cold War and was decommissioned in 1975. It is the only GUPPY III submarine remaining in the United States, now a National Historic Landmark.
Destroyer "Laffey." Known during WW II as the ship that would not die, she is the only surviving Summer class Destroyer in North America. extracts from brochures
The Yorktown was commissioned on April 15, 1943. She played a significant role in the Pacific offensive beginning in 1943 and ending in the defeat of Japan in 1945. The ship earned 11 battle stars for service in World War II. In December, 1968 the Yorktown also recovered the crew of Apollo 8, the first manned spacecraft to circle the moon. On board is an impressive display of vintage warplanes from World War II to Desert Storm in the 40,000 square foot hangar bay and on the flight deck.
"Clamagore," one of the Navy's last diesel powered submarines. Commissioned too late to see action in World War II, Clamagore served 30 years during the Cold War and was decommissioned in 1975. It is the only GUPPY III submarine remaining in the United States, now a National Historic Landmark.
Destroyer "Laffey." Known during WW II as the ship that would not die, she is the only surviving Summer class Destroyer in North America. extracts from brochures
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| This car carrier was loading BMW's that are built locally and shipped to Europe amongst other places |
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| Home |
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| I'm glad you don't see these signs in Australia although you would if Bob Katter had his way |
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| All female coastguard crew fully armed |
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| Apparently an area of drug running activity |
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| Grand waterfront houses |
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| Enjoying every minute |
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