Larry Nicholson and his wife Karen recently boarded the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz for a Tiger Cruise. The ship departed San Diego with about 5,000 onboard. Larry and his wife got to experience sea power demonstrations, refueling, landings, take offs and well as the ship’s food and sleeping quarters. The ship is valued at about $600 million and was used to downsize Isis. It was commissioned in 1975 and is one of eleven aircraft carriers now in service. Its top speed is about 35 mph. Ed Baich shared that vehicles might get 15 miles to the gallon. While a big ship, such as the Nimitz, might get 15 ‘inches” to the gallon. Larry mentioned that the only way to get away from people on the cruise was to go to his bunk, or rack, as the sailors call their sleep space. The height of the rack might be about 20 inches, and beneath the bunk is your personal storage. Larry also shared that when the F18 Hornets prepare to take off; members of the crew wear different colored t-shirts identifying their job responsibilities. The deck is about 150 degrees on average. Both Larry and Karen agree that the cruise was a chance of a lifetime. Their son is in the Navy and was on the ship also.
