Narrative

USS Midway

My trip To San Diego last August with my family to visit the USS Midway was something that I will always remember.  The experience was so different.  I have always loved history and this ship gave me a close up view of what it was like to be aboard a vessel that actually was an integral part of many of the wars that the US fought.    This ship is a museum that took me back to World War II and other wars.  I could easily imagine what it was like to be a sailor aboard this massive floating city.  It is over 1000 feet long, yet it seemed to go on forever.  As I stood on the front of the deck and looked back, I could not even see the end of it.  This huge gray colored vessel was an aircraft carrier, and as I made my way through the large number of planes and helicopters, I noticed the metal railing along the four sides.  It was obvious that this was for the protection of the men who manned this monstrous ship and it kept the planes secure.  I saw all kinds of planes dating from the World War II era through the 1980”s. In addition, something else that was extremely noticeable on this ship was the island.  It is where the captain pilots the ship and it rises approximately 70 feet above the deck.  Several antennae rose beside the island.  These helped to transmit messages and warned of approaching enemy ships.  It was a thrill to realize that these fighter jets and helicopters were what helped to win the war.  I was so excited to see more of this museum, so we continued our self-guided tour.

             

My family and I continued to explore by going down 10 steps that were like ladder rungs.  I held on tightly to the sides as I approached the captain’s quarters below deck.    The rooms were painted blue with bright blue carpet.  Bold colored paintings of different ships hung on the wall throughout this area.  I was able to sit on the plush furniture that the previous captains had enjoyed.  Also, I noticed that there was a private bathroom with a shower and also a kitchen area.  The captain, I was told, had his own chef and did not eat with his crew.    He had the most important job on the ship and the most responsibility. 

             

The galley was the next area that we toured, and it was interesting to see.   Everything in this area was white and spotless.    Pots and pans were hanging from hooks on the wall and there were a lot of them.  Massive size appliances were everywhere.  The kitchen was huge since thousands of meals were prepared here each day to feed the crew of 4500.   As I stood in this particular spot, I could imagine all the work going on to prepare the meals and people shouting at each other to do one job or another.  It was now time to see the area that moved this enormous ship from one place to another. 

             

Another area that sparked my interest was the machine room.  I could feel the presence of the crew in this area as they worked on repairing the ship’s parts or damage to the aircraft that flew from this vessel.    It was well lighted because the men had to be sure that their work was done with precision.   I could see machines that were used to bend and shape metal.  In addition, tools hung on the walls and were neatly placed in massive size tool boxes.  It was obvious that several of the tools were custom made for just the repairs needed on this ship. 

            

 My last stop of this great experience was the island. The stairs leading to this area were gray and very steep.  There were railings on the side that I definitely needed to hold onto as I made my way to the very top.  I could see not only the entire ship but water everywhere.  It was a spectacular view.   In this area, I sat in the captain’s chair and performed a simulation that was flying one of the planes that took off from the ship.  It was so exciting to be able to see how to control the initial takeoff speed, turn the plane and fly out over the ocean.  It gave me a feeling of control that I had never experienced before this time.  I also learned that when the ship was decommissioned, a documentary was made that only shows in the Navy Museum.

            

 Therefore, I will always remember this experience. From the time that I got on the ship, I was aware that the ship was kept immaculate.  I was amazed at how large this was and how many planes were launched from its platform   To think that this ship played such an important role in history and I got to tour it was something I will never forget.  I loved knowing that others worked to save our country on this vessel, and it made me proud to be a citizen of the United States.