Another day, another carrier leaves Bremerton for Texas.
At least, it’s starting to feel like that. The mothball fleet — short for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s inactive ship maintenance facility — is indeed getting smaller. The Connie already left and the Independence will leave later this year.
I interviewed Amanda Jean, a lifelong Bremerton resident, about what the mothball fleet means to her, as a civilian. She told me:
“Mothball fleet means home. Bremerton is known for our shipyard — you see those carriers and you know you’re here. That’s what this town is all about.”
We’ll just have to get used to a few less carriers for awhile. The USS Enterprise isn’t due to arrive until at least 2018.
Here’s a few photos of the Ranger’s departure.
