Oct 2, 2008 1:36 pm US/Eastern
INTREPID HOMECOMING: WWII Carrier Makes Trip Home
Floating Museum Leaving Staten Island For Hudson River Pier
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The Intrepid Returns! The famous floating museum leaves Staten Island Thursday morning after a nearly two-year overhaul - and heads back to its Hudson River Pier.
With a $15 million bow-to-stern restoration and a fresh coat of 6,500 battleship gray paint, the 27,000 ton World War II Air Craft Carrier is going to begin its five mile trek up New York Harbor at 11 Thursday morning. Though newly refurbished, the Hudson River Pier previously spent 24 years as the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum.
"She has a brand new paint job, whole new aircraft collection, complete stem to stern renovation. She's coming back to New York brand spanking new for everyone to see. It's an amazing thing to see," said Intrepid Museum President Bill White. "She survived 5 kamikaze attacks. She's amazing."
The two hour return voyage is expected to be the earlier one in reverse. With a passing salute to the Statue of Liberty and a pause near Ground Zero to remember those who died in the September 11 terror attacks, FDNY fireboats will deliver red, white and blue water sprays, the traditional harbor welcome for arriving ships.
The Intrepid figured in six major Pacific war campaigns including Leyte Gulf, history's greatest naval battle, surviving five Japanese Kamikaze suicide attacks. But after surviving harrowing battles, it was the mud that almost defeated this mighty ship two years ago, when the Intrepid's giant propeller got stuck and tugboats strained to move it out. It took more than a month and $62 million to get the floating museum headed towards its much needed facelift.
The Intrepid's departure is set for 11 a.m., and according to Bill White, the five-mile trek is scheduled for three hours.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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