48 things we learned aboard the USS Hué City

(Written by the cadets)
1. I learned the navy is awesome

2. They have big guns

3. I have learned about the odds of encountering actual resistance at sea 

4. I learned that there are many components to running a ship

5. When leaving port under fog, hold the whistle for long intervals every 2 minutes

6. The USS New York is made of scrap metal from the Twin Towers

7. I learned that the speed of the ship is classified .

8. I learned that different consuls that fire the missiles.

9. I learned that the CIWS defense system is a last ditch effort and can be run for about a minute before requiring reload.

10. I learned that trying to navigate through a ship would confuse me too much for it to ever be my profession.

11. I learned that cruiser is longer, has more fire power, and protects the carriers.

12. I learned that the USS Hue City is the only navy ship named after a Veitnam battle.

13. I learned how to properly ask somebody to come aboard a ship

14. The Destroyer we toured is 22 years old.

15. You always salute before leaving the ship

16. The number of bullets shot per minute on the CWIS is classified ( it's 4500 - 3500) rounds per seconf

17. Each sailor aboard the crusier has to go on watch for six hours every six days at port

18. I learned that Chief Tate can Skype.

19. You need the president's signature to fire a tomahawk missile! 

20. I learned that the speed of of the ship is classified.

21. CWIS fires at 3500-4500 rounds per second

22. I learned that the 5 Inch gun can shoot up to about 20-27 rounds a minute

23. They have to paint the anchor and decks once a month

24. I learned that you need to request permission to get on board the ship.

25. I learned the difference between a frigate cruiser and a destroyer.              
26. I learned that you have to salute the flag halfway before requesting permission to board the shop.

27. I learned the the projectiles weigh 80 lb!

28. I learned that the room where they fire missiles looks the same in the movies

29. I learned that they use dummy rounds to test the systems of the weapons 

30. I learned that to fire a 5 inch gun, it takes many stations of multiple people in each station doing different jobs and communicating back and forth. 

31. Helo in means helicopter 

32. The harpoon can go 80 miles

33. The ship only had 2 5 inch guns

34. I learned that the New York was made with the remains of the World Trade Center

35. I learned that they have to wake up every morning and clean the deck for 45 minutes

36. I learned that it takes a long time to learn your way around the tight hallways. Also watch your head.

37. I learned that the 5 inch guns must be cycled (fired) every 3 days when the ship is in port.

38. I learned that at sea the guns are fired once or twice a week.

39. We learned that you need to ask permission to get on the ship.

40. They have up to 450 crew members on board, going out to sea.

41. All but one weapon is used only for defensive purposes

42. The rotars of the helicopters fold back towards the helicopter so it can fit in the hanger

43. I learned that the 5 inch projectiles weigh 70 lbs

44. I learned that some ships are made out of metal from 9/11.

45. I learned that you can steer some ships with a click of a mouse.
46. This is what 4 months worth of toilet paper looks like:

47. They practice man overboard drills and have to get people out within 5 minutes.
48. They practice shooting tomatoes but have to get them out of the water after they shoot them.

And from the chaperones:
Mrs. Waid: The torpedoes are loaded by hand and will circle around until they find something unless coordinates are entered.  They are salt-water activated and blow up before the target, breaking the ship in two.