U.S. NAVY 200th Birthday
Flash: Half Moon Helps U.S. Navy Celebrate 200th Birthday of Washington Navy Yard
Our Half Moon, along with Wilmington, Delaware’s Kalmar Nyckel and St Mary’s City, Maryland’s Dove, gathered to help the United States Navy celebrate the Bicentennial of the First Naval District’s Washington Navy Yard.
The celebration is one of a series of commemorative events taking place throughout 1999 to honor the nation’s first naval fleet homeport and oldest shore establishment. Many of the U.S. Navy’s first ships were built at the Washington Navy Yard, and it later became renowned for ordinance development, for a while being known as the U.S. Naval Gun Factory. The yard produced the Navy’s first 16" guns and the big railroad cannons that were used in France during the First World War.
Notable technological achievements developed at the yard included the nation’s first marine railway (1822), the first steam powered paddlewheel gunboat (the Water Witch in 1844), the Navy’s first ship model basin (1898), the first successful shipboard catapult (1912), and a wind tunnel (1914).
Today it serves as the ceremonial and administrative center of Naval District Washington, permanently berthing the U.S. Destroyer Barry (DD-933) and the Navy Museum, which first opened in 1963
The three replica tall ships and the modern Destroyer Barry offered a unique contrast that was driven home to thousands who toured all four vessels. The Half Moon raised sail and participated in two mock naval and land engagements with cannon, swivel guns, matchlocks amid muskets firing during the event. Large groups of re-enactors dressed in period costume and regaled with pike and weaponry, contributed to the display of 17th century naval and land warfare amid 20th century surroundings.
Our Washington Navy Yard Bicentennial Picture Gallery will let you see some images of the celebration. The Half Moon, and her intrepid volunteer crew, took pride in participating here, where once Queen Wilhemina stood to accept PC-468 from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The President prophetically told her that the people of Holland, again fighting for their independence, will once more "win and maintain it."
Rear Admiral Christopher Weaver hosted the celebrations and Under Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Jerry Hultin delivered a well received ceremonial opening address, the text of which is available here.
Questions? Comments? E-mail info@newnetherland.org