The Uss New York was built with 24 tons of steel from the world trade centre.It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat - ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.
Steel from the World Trade Centre was melted down in a foundry in Amite La, to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003," Those big, tough steel workers treated it with total reverence,"recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensung, who was there. " It was a spiritual moment for eveybody there."
Junior Chavers foundry operations manager said that when the trade centre steel first arrived and he touched it with his hand, " The hair on my neck stood up". He also said," It had a big meaning to it, for all of us. They knocked us down but they can't keep us down. We're going to be back."
The ship's motto ? 'NEVER FORGET'.
