Haze Gray Photo Feature

Seattle Seafair 2001

The annual Fleet Cruise

The annual Seattle Seafair fleet cruise offers a unique chance for members of the public to ride aboard a US Navy warship at sea. This year's fleet parade took place on August 1st, and included six ships sailing from Naval Station Everett to downtown Seattle. Members of the public were invited aboard the ships for a unique and exciting Navy experience. Ships sailing in the 2001 fleet cruise included the carrier John C. Stennis, guided missile cruiser Lake Champlain, guided missile destroyers Lassen and Milius, destroyer Paul F. Foster, and the command ship Coronado. Other US and Canadian navy and coast guard vessels were berthed in Seattle, open for public touring.

Seafair has been a Seattle-area tradition for 50 years, and is always a popular event. Last year's Seafair fleet cruise featured five ships - see our Seafair 2000 photo feature for more about last year's event.

Roy McBride, our west coast photographer, was aboard John C. Stennis for this year's Seafair fleet cruise, and has provided these photos to Hazegray.

Click on the images for larger, screen-size versions (approx. 600x900 pixels), or click on the words "Hi-Rez Image" for high resolution versions (approx. 1200x1600 pixels).


The Fleet Cruise
This group of photos was taken from the carrier John C. Stennis as the fleet cruised from Everett to Seattle. Starting nearest the carrier, the other ships are Paul Foster, Lake Champlain, Lassen, Coronado, and Milius.

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The Coast Guard cutter Osprey escorted the Seafair fleet.
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A Seattle fireboat welcomes the fleet to port.
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The indispensable harbor tugs assisted the ships at Everett and Seattle.
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The Seafair festivities included the Navy's Blue Angels in their F/A-18s.
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EA-6B Prowlers from nearby NAS Whidbey Island also took part.
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Another view of an EA-6B flying by Stennis.
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Carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)
Stennis is one of the newest Nimitz-class carriers, which form the majority of the nation's carrier force. At around 100,000 tons displcement, these vessels are the world's largest warships. Carrying about 70 aircraft each, the Nimitz class carriers are deployed around the world defending the interests of the United States.
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Stennis makes a high-speed turn during sea trials. 		[THUMBNAIL]
Stennis at Hong Kong. 		[THUMBNAIL]
Arriving at Pearl Harbor, passing the Arizona memorial.
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Pierside at Everett, receiving her Seafair guests.
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Brow and Quarterdeck.
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View along the starboard side below the flight deck overhang.
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View up at the island and radar mast from the pier.
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View of the island from the forward aircraft elevator.
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Closeup of the mast and its numerous antennas.
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The bridge as the crew prepares to get underway for the cruise.
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The ship's CO on the bridge preparing to get underway.
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A view of Lassen getting underway through the bridge windows.
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View from the island showing various aircraft parked on the flight deck.
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View looking forward from the bridge.
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Looking from the bow up towards the island, past the many aircraft parked on deck.
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Looking along the starboard side from the bow.
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A view looking down from the island along the angled deck.
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An F/A-18C parked beside the island.
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An SH-60F on deck.
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Various aircraft parked on deck, including an E-2C, SH-60Fs, and F/A-18s.
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Three members of the crew pose for the camera.
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An F-14 Tomcat.
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Rear view of an F-14.
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An EA-6B Prowler.
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An S-3B Viking.
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The ship's landing aid system, outboard of the angled deck.
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Disassembled jet engines in a shop on the hangar deck.
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Another view of the engine repair shop.
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Closeup view of the all-important tailhook on an F/A-18.
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A view of the crowded hangar deck during the cruise.
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A second view of the hangar deck.
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A ship's band performed during the cruise as well.
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Cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57)
Lake Champlain is a Ticonderoga class cruisers, among the most potent warships afloat today. Equipped with the Aegis combat system, the cruisers are multi-mission ships, capable of operating in strike, fire support, anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and anti-surface roles. Their primary mission is defense of aircraft carriers against aircraft and missiles.
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In port before the Seafair cruise, alongside Paul F. Foster.
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A second pierside view before the cruise. 		[THUMBNAIL]
Lake Champlain's forward gun with Paul F. Foster's beyond.
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Getting underway for the cruise.
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Another view getting underway.
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Along the Seattle waterfront at the end of the cruise.
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Destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82)
Lassen is the newest ship in the US Navy, commissioned 21 April 2001. A member of the Arleigh Burke class, she features the Navy's new 5-inch/62-caliber gun, designed for greater firepower against shore targets. Like the Ticonderoga class ships, the Burkes are multimission ships, undertaking a wide variety of missions around the globe.
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Lassen at speed on sea trials. 		[THUMBNAIL]
Lassen during her commissioning ceremony.
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A view of the bow, gun, and superstructure the morning of the Seafair cruise.
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Looking forward along the starboard side.
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Lassen pierside as tugs come alongside to assist in getting underway.
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Lassen preparing to get underway, with Stennis beyond.
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Destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69)
Another Burke class destroyer, Milius is a veteran of overseas deployments.
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Milius returning from deployment. 		[THUMBNAIL]
Milius leaving San Diego.


Destroyer USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964)
The veteran destroyer Paul F. Foster, the second of the revolutionary Spruance-class ships, has been in the fleet for over two decades. From her initial mission of anti-submarine warfare, her capabilities have been expanded to include strike missions using Tomahawk missiles, and electronic surveillance.
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Paul F. Foster inboard of Lake Champlain the morning of the cruise.
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Foster along the Seattle waterfront at the end of the cruise.
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Command Ship USS Coronado (AGF 11)
Coronado is another veteran ship, with over 30 years in the fleet. Originally built as an amphibious transport ship but adapted as a fleet command ship in 1980, she has been outfitted with modern command and control systems to serve as 3rd Fleet flagship.
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Coronado at Seattle Seafair 1999. 		[THUMBNAIL]
Coronado underway in Pearl Harbor. 		[THUMBNAIL]
Coronado arrives in Seattle at the end of the 2001 cruise.


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This section of the HG&UW site created and maintained by Andrew Toppan.
Copyright © 2001, Andrew Toppan. All Rights Reserved.
Seafair 2001 photos Copyright © 2001, Roy McBride. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction, reuse, or distribution without permission is prohibited.