A Look At The Intrepid

The U.S.S. Intrepid was about to leave its dock on the West Side of Manhattan today for the first time in 24 years, with theh help of five powerful tugboats. But as it began to move away, it ended up getting stuck in deep Hudson River mud.

What is the Intrepid?

The Intrepid, one of the most successful ships in U.S. History is now a national historic landmark, and one of the most unique attractions in New York City. In 1943, the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier was commissioned for service in World War II and went on to serve as a primary recovery vessel for NASA and then in Vietnam. Throughout the Pacific Campaign of World War II, the USS Intrepid suffered seven bomb attacks, five kamikaze strikes and one torpedo hit; yet the ship continually returned to action after repairs, earning her the reputation among the enemy as the "The Ghost Ship."

When was the Intrepid decommissioned?

The Intrepid was decommissioned in 1974. Two years later, she was designated as the Official US Navy and Marine Corps Bicentennial Exposition Vessel, taking part in the celebration of both the nation's and the US Navy's 200th birthday. Destined for the scrap yard a year later, the Intrepid was rescued by Zachary Fisher in 1978 when he established the Intrepid Museum Foundation for the sole purpose of "saving the Intrepid for generation to come." Today the museum features a range of interactive exhibits and events that make Intrepid a snapshot of heroism, education, and excitement.

When did the museum open?

Fisher's vision became a reality on August 4, 1982, when the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum first opened to the public on Pier 86 in New York City.

What is the Intrepid's aircraft collection

The Intrepid Museum maintains an extensive aircraft collection spanning the history of flight in the second half of the twentieth-century, from World War II to the latest supersonic jet fighters.

To learn more about the Intrepid:

• Click here to read more about the Intrepid.