- Overnight Trip to the Aircraft Carrier Hornet -
Retired in 1970, this carrier is a floating museum that is preserved as a part of history. It resides in Alameda, CA. We shared it's history with about 400 other Scouts on an overnight "voyage" into history!

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During World War II it carried 3500 men and 103 aircraft!

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The Hornet was one of the most decorated aircraft carriers during WWII !

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Bunking - down below! These are the bunks used by the sailors during WWII !

Notice that even the Scoutmasters got the privelage of these historic accomodations. Mr. Bridges on top, Mr. Rinehart on the bottle, and Mr. Backman [me] will soon be part of the sandwich!

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Apollo exhibits (this is the ship that picked up Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong after the first Moon Walk!)

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Flight Deck - Night View from the Captain's Chair. That is an F-14 Tomcat on deck.

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From the fantail of the ship the troop had an excellent view of the San Francisco sky line!

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Nearly every stairway was just like this one

Chow was served in the Crew Mess

One particular guide, Chuck (below), was extremetly knowlegable about the engine room. He knew everything about every valve, pipe, knob, turbine, step, guage, ship, engine, worker, Captain, etc., etc.! Then we found out that when in the Navy he was the Chief Engineer on the Carrier Midway, before becoming a Captain, before overseeing upgrades on all Pacific Fleet Carriers, before retiring, before donating his time to lead tours thru the Hornet! Wow, legends teaching history!

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Yup, That's Me!

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Closing Ceremony