The USS JFK May Be Leaving Philly This Week
It appears that the storied USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) is preparing to leave its Philadelphia berth, as online rumors suggest the iconic aircraft carrier may set sail for the last time this Wednesday.
If true, this move would mark the beginning of the end for the last conventionally powered supercarrier in the Navy fleet.
The USS John F. Kennedy, affectionately nicknamed “Big John,” was commissioned in 1968 and served the United States for nearly 40 years before its decommissioning in 2007. A variant of the Kitty Hawk-class carriers, the Kennedy was a symbol of American naval power and technological prowess.
In 2019, International Shipbreaking Ltd. (ISL)/EMR Brownsville secured the Navy contract to scrap the JFK. The company, based in Brownsville, Texas, specializes in dismantling large naval vessels and is currently processing the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), a sister ship of the Kennedy.
The Kitty Hawk arrived at ISL’s facility on May 31, 2022, and was scrapped at the facility.
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The USS JFK was originally scheduled to be towed for scrapping last year, but ospreys nesting on the ship delayed the move. Ospreys are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), prohibiting relocation of the vessel while the birds remained.
Rumors of the Kennedy’s movement emerged after Facebook users noticed that the tug/supply vessel Laney Chouest was scheduled to be en route to Philadelphia’s Navy Yard.
Currently, there are no other ships ready for relocation besides the USS JFK. The only other candidate, the SS United States, still sits in limbo at Pier 82.
There has been no official word from the Navy Yard on the move, as such announcements are typically not publicized. Instead, workers along the Delaware River and Philadelphia Port have been sounding the alarm about the impending tow.
The USS John F. Kennedy holds a special place in naval history, having played a vital role in multiple conflicts, including the Gulf War and the Global War on Terror.
It was also notable for being the last carrier designed before the advent of nuclear-powered ships, bridging the gap between two eras of naval engineering.
For years, preservation groups and enthusiasts have expressed hope of saving the Kennedy as a museum ship, much like the USS Midway in San Diego. However, financial and logistical hurdles have made such efforts unlikely.
Will you head over to the Delaware River to watch the USS John F. Kennedy one final time?
Once confirmed information with an exact time is announced, we will update you. Keep in mind that winter weather could complicate the move.
We were there when the Battleship New Jersey was relocated last spring. You can check out that video below!