For those that are in the Valley, and may have served on this proud ship."USS Forrestal will be towed through the South Padre Island Jetties on Tuesday morning Feb. 18th! They will begin to tow at 7:30 am and it will take 5-6 hours to get her to the port for demolition. The Coast Guard will be setting up a safety zone around the vessel for her entire transit so any vessels, both commercial and recreational, will need to observe that zone."Clicky

My USMC squadron (VMA 331 with the Sky Raider better known as ADs back in 1957) for carrier qualification prior to going to Japan via of the Phillipines back in 1958. We had AD 5s and sixes out of Opalocka, Florida.

My brother-in-law was a Chief Petty Officer onboard the Forrestal in 1967 when the fire broke out in the Gulf of Tonkin. He suddenly became a "fireman" as did nearly everyone aboard. He related some terrible stories about that tour, both before,during and after the fire. Seems an electrical anomaly caused a missile to discharge on board, then all He** broke loose. He had some pictures taken by other crewmen at the time. He finally retired Navy after 30 years at Mayport in Jacksonville, FL.

If she's going to be 20 miles out we probably won't see her.

daily double wrote:If she's going to be 20 miles out we probably won't see her.That's 20 miles out while at sea. She will come in at SPI and then down the channel to Brownsville to the boat yard. Lot's of great places to see her for the very last time.On Edit:This may be of help:Clicky

Last voyage of the USS Forrestal. | Good Sam Community

shellbackcva59
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
I was an ordnanceman with VF-74 a fighter squadron, and on the flight deck to arm our aircraft as they came up to the cat that day. A day I'll never forget. The Navy made drastic changes in fire fighting after that incident. 134 lives too late.
Pop-Pop_C
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
Will be watching 8:00 AM we'd 02-18-14, from here at the KOA. Park on SPI, TX.
Should be within 1/4 Mi.
shellbackcva59
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
It will look like this!
pawatt
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
From the:
Port Isabel SouthPadre Press

*** FORRESTAL UPDATE *** Just spoke with the Coast Guard. They're expecting the Forrestal to arrive around 11:15 a.m. Good viewing points include Isla Blanca Park & the Jetties
stillwandering
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
I was in vf 103 as an ordinaceman ,made two Med cruieses between 1961 and 1965. Lots of memories

v
John_Joey
Explorer
Feb 19, 2014
The last steps in her voyage. I'm not a photographer, so I hope I did her justice to those that served on her.

Coming in from open sea.

At this point she turned into the channel and onto her final resting place.
SpknTC
Explorer
Feb 19, 2014
Great pics! Thanks for sharing. Sure wish I could have been there to witness history.
pawatt
Explorer
Feb 19, 2014
GREAT Photos John, Thank You.
shellbackcva59
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Great pictures! Sure would have loved to take a walk through her. The Navy still retains possession of the ship until the last piece of scrap is gone. At that time the Navy pays the company $.01! As it stands, the Navy will not allow any of the old crew or guests aboard the ship.

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