The city posted on Twitter at 9 p.m. that the ship had just passed the Mayport Naval Station and was heading to the river St. Johns at his temporary home in Northbank. The arrival was full of fanfares as fire boats paraded the ship, spraying water into the air. The ship sailed under the Mathews Bridge around noon and under the Hart Bridge less than 10 minutes later as it walked to its new home along the Northbank Riverwalk in front of the Hyatt Regency. A crowd of spectators along the river cheered as the Orleck finally pushed into place by a tug just before 1pm and the US flag was hoisted on its bow. “I was very excited to learn that they would actually have a ship here,” said Annette Stevenson. (WJXT) He will be moored at the current location for several months until his permanent residence outside the Shipyards can be properly equipped. one D “Sometimes things take time. “I’m just glad we were able to park it here for a while, as it’s coming early and his house will be ready at the right time,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry told a news conference on Friday. RELATED: The vision of the museum area is in downtown Jacksonville The USS Orleck arrived in Jacksonville on Saturday to become the focus of the Jacksonville Maritime Museum, which is expected to open in June. The ship sailed under the Mathews Bridge around noon and under the Hart Bridge less than 10 minutes later as it walked to its new home along the Northbank Riverwalk in front of the Hyatt Regency. The creation of a naval museum in Jacksonville featuring a floating piece of history has been in the works for 12 years. The original plans to bring the USS Adams to Jacksonville failed, leaving the organizers to find another ship and the USS Orleck fit. “I come from a very long line of patriotic military members and I am very lucky to be working for our government judiciary,” said Kimberly Barrett. “So seeing that means a lot to me.” one D The Orleck is the most decorated ship since World War II, having fought during the Korean, Vietnam and Cold War periods. Turning it into a museum and moving it from Texas to Jacksonville cost just over $ 2 million. (WJXT) “Finally, he says, the Navy City, the third largest Navy city in the United States, is finally getting a museum ship, and we were the only ones without one,” said Craig Bernat of the Jacksonville Naval Museum. “And the ship, even though it was not the Adams, this is the second most historic ship in the Navy, so that says a lot in the history of the ship.” There are some who worry that the permanent location is not ready before the ship arrives. However, Lori Boyer, head of the Downtown Investment Authority, said that everything should work. “Not all the conditions for docking at Pier One have been met, but that does not mean that we believe there is a problem with their ability to meet them. “I think they will do that,” Boyer said. Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.
