The Enterprise – CVN 65 – was the eighth Navy ship to carry that name. She was the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, her keel laid 4 Feb 1958 – exactly 59 years ago this month– at Newport News. Over her generations of service, some 250,000 Sailors and Marines walked her decks. Her decommissioning ceremony, above, was held in the ship’s hangar bay, Feb. 3. The ceremony not only marked the end the ship’s half-century career, it also served as the very first decommissioning of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
However, she will endure as Naval History and Heritage Command’s curators have combed the ship for artifacts.
Steel from her will be recycled into the hull of the new USS Enterprise (CVN-80) as will the portholes from her Captain’s cabin (which were carried on CV-6 during WWII!) and her bell.
One of six porthole frames and covers removed from the bridge of USS Enterprise (CV-6) in 1958. These portholes were installed in the Captain’s cabin aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and are slated to be installed aboard the next ship to bear the name of Enterprise, CVN-80.
Plaque, Historical Data, USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
47 ¼” x 21 ½” x 1”
Brass
NHHC 2013.025.002
Headquarters Artifact Collection: Naval History and Heritage Command
Eight U.S. Navy vessels have born the name Enterprise. This plaque displays the different engagements that each vessel bearing the name Enterprise was involved in since 1775. This plaque was on display aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) which is the longest serving aircraft carrier in United States Navy history with 51 years of active service.
Bell, Ship’s, USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
23” x 22”, 200 lbs.
Brass
NHHC 2013.025.001
Headquarters Artifact Collection: Naval History and Heritage Command
This bell hung within the hull of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. During its career, the ship saw service as a tracking station for the Friendship 7 space capsule, performed blockade duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis, had six combat deployments to Southeast Asia, was refitted to support the brand new F-14A Tomcat, and deployed to the North Arabian Sea in the fall of 2001 to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom.
And she will always endure in mamaritimert and in the hearts of those who walked her decks.
“Enterprise on Yankee Station” by R.G. Smith, Oil Painting, c. 1968. Accession: 88-160-EU Courtesy U.S. Navy Art Gallery, Naval History and Heritage Command
