I first heard about her in Ghost Hunters. The team had a great experience there - from K2 hits, unexplained thermal hits and evps.
What I did not know was how significant it was in the Pacific Campaign and how she was in my country some 60 years ago. She found her way to the shores of my homeland the Philippines in World War 2, to launch an offensive against the Japanese.
As I stepped out of my friends car, hauling my sleeping bag, suitcase, purse and pillow, I first was awed by its size. A matted gray in color against the setting sun causing the bay waters behind her to sparkle. Further behind is the San Francisco skyline sillhouette . Next to her were other active naval ships. I knew it was her when I first saw her because she was the biggest one there (easily 18 stories or 18 decks) and by the looks of the early military planes on her landing deck.
" I want to salute her.", I said to my friends. Some of them giggled.
" I saluted her." , said my other friend whom I didn't realize came to stand to the left of me. I looked over to see her saluting The Hornet. I stood as straight as I could muster and tried to find inside my , my Citizens Army Training in high school , and gave her a salute and for a moment, took in that if it weren't for her, I probably wouldn't be born because the Japanese would've by then , killed my entire family.
Trailing behind my friends, I struggled to keep up with my an armful of what I've mentioned earlier. The view from the side was even more impressive. I have to stop from pulling my neck muscles and not crane my neck up so high.
Then there were the steps to the ramp. I'm already a klutz as it is and I was determined to not slip and injure myself. I don't know how I did it but I managed to ascend the steps. Then came the next challenge. The Ramp. Fixing my eyes at the doorway at the end, step by by step with an armload of suitcase, sleeping bag, pillows and purse and battling 50-60 wind gust, I fought my fear of heights and just focused on crossing the ramp. I can hear the docents behind exclaimaing how strong the winds are. Oh great, I thought, I picked a date when the winds are blowing so hard across the bay.
The tour took us to the hangar which featured rescue helicopters as big us buses. Marine helicopters from the Vietnam war, the Appolo craft, and other fascinating aircrafts. Our guide Ali took us to our berthing area. Triple stacked bunk beds in rows with a thin mattress.
The 40s equipment are fascinating. There were so many rooms that we went to that I have memories of metal, knobs, levers, old phones , wheels, sockets , wiring, red floors, green floors, containers, sailor art etc etc etc :D. I've never climbed so many ladders in my life. I sat on the skipper chair and spun the wheel to port and starboard. Snuck in the captains closet and put on a captain hat. The smell of the ship was very distinct - a mixture of metal, dankness, musk and deisel.We walked over knee knockers and up in the tower room where once again, I felt this feeling of adventure and excitement as I climbed this thin metal ladder , rung by rung I took it in and at that moment, I wasn't thinking of work or of anything, just a feeling of adventure.
We ate at the mess hall in comfort food of ribs, scalloped potatoes and beans. There was a group of scouts spending the night and couple of families. Altogether there were about 30 people spending the night.
My most favorite room is the submarine room with all its sonar equipment that remained luminous in the darkness.
Lights out was at 11pm. We wanted to snuck out and do our own tour but for reasons I don't want to say lest it'll ruin this post, we just crashed into our bunks. I was tossing and turning and feeling a little , just a little scared and I keep imagining a ghostly sailor would stare me down when I open my eyes. I listened to the metallic clicks and clacks of the ship. I knew there were out tourists who were staying the night who were doing their own prowl of the ship because I kept hearing footsteps and doors heavy metal doors closing and opening, heavy metal knobs turning. Our berthing area is barely illuminated by this red light. I woke up stiff but happy probably 30 seconds before the PA announced " RISE AND SHINE!!!! " at 7 am the next day with maybe about 3 hours of sleep in total. There was no night or day in our berthing area, it was dark as it was when we went lights off. I think the only indication that I knew it was morning was, somehow somewhere in this big metal ship, I can hear birds chirping.
The City of San Francisco rejected the Hornet because she is a ship of war. I am honored to have walked the halls of this ship. I am honored by the presence of the thousands of sailors who walked her halls, who bravely faced the Pacific campaign of the Second World War.
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