From October 7 to 12, San Francisco will open its arms and piers to what promises to be the most extensive Fleet Week in more than 20 years.
Pier 39 will play host to a number of events including a “Meet and Greet” with members of the Blue Angels and an unprecedented “Parade of Ships.” Photo courtesy of Pier 39
“This will be the biggest and best Fleet Week in more than twenty years,” said San Francisco Fleet Week Chairman Major General Michael J. Myatt. Highlights will include the extraordinary airborne maneuvers of the Blue Angels and a chance to see the world’s most environmentally-friendly military vessel, dubbed the Navy’s “Hybrid Ship”—the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island.
San Francisco and Fleet Week share a long and storied history that began in 1908 with the arrival of President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet” to the Bay during its round-the-world voyage. Consisting of 16 battleships of the Atlantic Fleet and various smaller vessels, this legendary flotilla featured hulls painted white except for the gilded scrollwork on their bows. The 14-month voyage from Hampton Roads, Virginia, to San Francisco was a showcase of American sea power with ships manned by 14,000 sailors. The fleet covered 43,000 miles and stopped at 20 ports on six continents.
The fleet arrived in San Francisco on May 6, 1908 from Magdalena Bay, Mexico, and was greeted by a huge celebration hosted by the City of San Francisco. As each ship passed Fort Point it fired a 21-gun salute, which was answered with a salute from land. Crowds flocked to San Francisco to see the fleet. Transbay ferry traffic from May 5 to May 17 exceeded the normal business by 450,000 passengers. The heaviest travel day was on May 6, when 186,000 passengers were taken across San Francisco Bay to see the arrival of the fleet. It was one of the largest crowds of Californians ever assembled.
On January 18, 1911, the era of Naval aviation began in San Francisco Bay with the first-ever launch of an aircraft from the deck of a military vessel, the USS Pennsylvania. Throughout the 20th century, San Francisco was a major focus of naval operations and served as the headquarters of the United States Naval forces under Admiral Chester Nimitz during World War II. A generation of “Liberty Ships” and other military vessels were built, launched, serviced, berthed and later retired at historic sites at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Richmond’s Kaiser Shipyard, the Marin Shipworks, Treasure Island, Hunters Point Shipyard, Suisun Bay and the Alameda Naval Air Station.
Over the years, millions more San Franciscans have welcomed the United States Navy and Marine Corps making its Fleet Week one of the City’s most treasured traditions. Under the leadership of Mayor Dianne Feinstein, the modern Fleet Week tradition began in 1981, honoring the dedicated men and women of the Armed Forces and their colleagues.
The San Francisco Fleet Week Association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor the dedication to duty and sacrifices of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and to conduct and offer disaster preparedness training. Its honorary co-chairpersons are United States Senator Dianne Feinstein and former Secretary of State George P. Shultz.
Following is an overview of public events for San Francisco Fleet Week 2010. An up-to-the-minute schedule of public events is available online at www.fleetweek.us.
Thursday, October 7 – Fleet Week Festival Begins; USS Makin Island open for ship tours; Admiral Hunt at Marine’s Memorial Club; Band Concerts.
The first day of the Fleet Week Festival, free and open to the public, will begin along the Marina Green. That evening at 7 p.m., Vice Admiral Richard W. Hunt, USN, will offer a lecture followed by reception at the Marines’ Memorial Club followed by thrilling band performance featuring the 1st Marine Division Band.
The USS Makin Island, LHD8 will be open for ship tours at Piers 30/32 along the Embarcadero, south of the Ferry Building. Known as “The Navy’s Hybrid Ship, the USS Makin Island is the first US military hybrid vessel. Like a hybrid automobile, Makin Island also uses two modes of propulsion: the LM2500+ Gas Turbine engine and the electric-powered Auxiliary Propulsion Motor (APM). The Gas Turbine can be used at all speeds, but is least fuel efficient at 12 knots and below. The Auxiliary Propulsion Motor (APM) allows the ship to travel at speeds up to 12 knots using electrical power provided by the ship. Of historic note: The last time a ship bearing the name Makin Island entered the San Francisco Bay was November 5, 1945 when USS Makin Island moored at Naval Air Station Alameda to debark aircraft following completion of her mission during World War II.
Friday, October 8 – Sailors and Marines on Liberty in San Francisco, “CERT” & “NERT” Emergency Preparedness Trainings and Evening Band Competition
Throughout the day, hundreds of sailors and Marines will be on liberty throughout San Francisco, and assisting in emergency preparedness trainings along with citizens as part of the local “CERT” (Community Emergency Preparedness Teams) and “NERT” (Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams) groups. That evening, local school bands will take part in a friendly competition with their shipboard counterparts in a concert at Golden Gate Park’s Kezar Stadium. Also on this day, the Blue Angels will be having airborne rehearsals.
Saturday, October 9 – Parade of Ships, Tours, The Blue Angels and Pier 39 Concerts
It’s a day to celebrate Fleet Week at sea and in the air! The grandest Fleet Week flotilla in more than two decades will enter San Francisco Bay this morning, led by San Francisco’s own Fireboat Phoenix. This year’s “Parade of Ships” will include the following US Navy vessels: USS Pinckney, USS Curtis, USS Pioneer, USS Chief, USCGC Active. Also joining in the “Parade” will be Canadian Naval vessels HMCS Whitehorse and the HMCS Brandon along with the historic San Francisco based WWII Liberty Ship USS Jeremiah O’Brien and the USS Liberty PT-26 from Sacramento with its all-female crew of sea cadets.
Later in the day, the Blue Angels—the world’s most talented aerial performance team—thrills the public with its incredible feats. A full Airshow starts at 1 p.m. with the Blue Angels taking to the sky at 3 p.m. During the day, Pier 39 will play host to a number of events including a “Meet and Greet” with members of the Blue Angels and an unprecedented “Parade of Ships.”
That afternoon at, the First Marine Division Band will offer a free concert at Yerba Buena Gardens and the day culminates with another free outdoor concert at 6 p.m. atop Nob Hill in Huntington Park across from Grace Cathedral.
Also, a highlight of the week’s events is the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) display taking place the Marina Green on both October 9 and 10. For more information, go online to www.11thmeu.usmc.mil. (Note: During the Parade of Ships, the USS Makin Island will remain berthed at Piers 30/32 and open for public tours from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. All ships will be open for public tours 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.) For the most updated information on ship tours and security rules, please check the website at www.fleetweek.us.
Sunday, October 10 – Italian Heritage & Fleet Week Parade
Two of San Francisco’s most treasured traditions join forces with the combined Italian Heritage and Fleet Week Parade. Ship tours and crew liberty continue as does the Festival along San Francisco’s Marina Green. The day will start when hundreds of uniformed sailors and Marines gather for an iconic photo.
Monday, October 11 – Columbus Day Federal Holiday Ship Tours & “Band Challenge”
Maritime lovers, military buffs and kids of all ages take advantage of the three-day weekend for this unprecedented opportunity to visit ships of the United States and Canadian Navies, the U.S. Coast Guard and the historic WWII vintage Liberty Ship USS Jeremiah O’Brien. Ship tours are free and open to the public.
Also that day, the First Marine Division Band will host a “Band Challenge” with young musicians from area high schools.
Tuesday, October 12 – Ships Depart
“Weigh anchor!” Fleet Week 2010 ends as the ships depart.
The USS Makin Island is the first U.S. Military hybrid vessel. She will be open for ship tours during Fleet Week at Piers 30/32 along the Embarcadero, south of the Ferry Building. Photo by Douglas Bedford
