SIGN THE PETITION!

[graywolf]

A petition is being circulated via the net to request that the next Aircraft Carrier, CVN-80, be named the U.S.S. Enterprise.  In recent history, carriers have been named after politicians and or Presidents.  There could be no greater honor for that vessel to be named for the most famous ship in World War II and the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier.  So far, according to the petition site, only about 2700 signatures have been collected.  Go to:  http://ussenterp.epetitions.net/ 

[Big Frank]

It took a few tries but it finally counted me.

[graywolf]

Looking for a great read about the Enterprise in WWII?  Check out The Big E  by Commander Edward P. Stafford U.S.N published by Dell Press (1964) "A first-hand battle-by-battle account of World War II's most famous fighting ship"

[tombogan03884]

They can't have 2 ships with the same name so they would have to scrap the current one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Enterprise_%28CVN-65%29

[Timothy]

Good point Tom.

The Enterprise is on it's last mission and will be retired this December about three years earlier than the original schedule.  USS GR Ford was scheduled to replace her.  She could sit in mothballs for years while they remove the reactors, turbines and all of the nuclear piping on board.  She could sit in Bremerton, WA for awhile before that happens as we'll be down a carrier for the better part of three years due to budget cutbacks.  She could be put back into service in pretty short notice if needed.

With this Admin, there may be further cutbacks, including not building CVN-80!

[Sponsor]

[graywolf]

I also read somewhere that the removal and disposal of her 8 reactors would hinder her scrapping.  The article even suggested that American shipyards/scrapping yards were not set up to handle that operation and that it would take many years.  It was hinted that perhaps a Taiwanese company would get the contract.  In any event, I would hope that the name Enterprise would not disappear into naval history.  Perhaps, public opinion could play a part in securing it a place for a future major combat vessel.  What could it hurt to sign the petition?

[Timothy]

Oh, I signed it before I posted...

[rojawe]

done

[alfsauve]

My only reservation is the last time the public partitioned a government agency to name something after the Enterprise they got stuck with a lemon.

The "Enterprise" space shuttle was only a low altitude flying/landing test platform and never was space worthy.   A real let down.

[jaybet]

We can always wait 'till the Federation starts naming Star Ships.