Neptune's Court, USS Saratoga, 1930

In the days leading up to Halloween,  it is only fitting to show off sailors playing dress up.  This is a picture of "Neptune's Court" on board the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) in 1930.  The court is a central part of the time honored "Crossing the Line" ceremony.

USS Cyclops-Hampton Roads' Ghost Ship

As we approach Halloween and get ready here at the museum for our annual "Hunt for Dead October" event for children (6 to 9 p.m., HRNM portion free), it is only fitting to talk a little bit about USS Cyclops. The Norfolk-based vessel is one of the most famous ships in maritime lore for its mysterious fate. It is a favorite story of people who follow supernatural events.

In April 1918, the ship was steaming from Brazil to Baltimore with a cargo of manganese (an essential element to the manufacturing of steel). She stopped in the West Indies, but never made it to Baltimore. The U.S. Navy conducted a massive search for the vessel, but never found so much as a life ring or body. There were no communications from the ship reporting it to be under attack or in distress from a weather related incident. Its disappearance has never been explained. Here are a few 1918 magazine and newspaper articles on the lost ship.

Eugene Ely Videos

Eugene Ely was the first person to fly a plane off a ship in November 1910, thus beginning the glorious tradition of naval aviation.  The event took place here in Hampton Roads on board the light cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-2).  As we approach the 100th anniversary of this event, the Naval Historical Foundation and Bill Rositzke of Fairfax Station, Virginia produced two very nice videos about the event.  One is on Eugene Ely and one on the flight itself. 

USS Yorktown (CV-10) at NOB, 1943

This a rare color World War II photograph of  the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) at Naval Operating Base Norfolk.  This picture was taken shortly after being finished at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry-dock Company in early 1943.  Sailors are loading F6F Hellcats from Carrier Air Group 5.

Soon after this picture was taken, Yorktown left for the West Indies for training.  After that, she headed to the Pacific where she earned ten battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation.

The ship can still be seen today at Patriots Point in South Carolina.

HRNM Educators Conduct Underwater Archaeology Program

Oer the past two weeks, educators at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum conducted the Underwater Archaeology program at St. Pius X School in Norfolk. St. Pius teacher Virginia Davis was gracious enough to offer up some pictures of the event. HRNM Educators were fortunate enough to present the program for Jennifer Searcy, the new director at the Great Lakes Naval Museum in Illinois.
The program, which uses methods from history, archaeology, and primary source analysis, teaches students about the methodology behind underwater archaeology and sonar data. Each student plays a vital role as a "unior underwater archaeologist" throughout the activity. The program was originally created as a compliment to the 2007 Cumberland Club at the Hampton Roads Museum, which gave rising 8th graders in the Norfolk public school system the chance to experience being historians, archaeologists, and marine-scientists.
After a brief introduction to the science behind , students break off into groups and create a three-dimensional model of the ocean floor using multibeam sonar data. Each group depends on the cooperation and coordination of their fellow classmates in order to create an accurate model. Students use science and math skills in an effort to provide an effective cross-disciplinary approach to education.
The final portion of the program uses recovered "diaries" from the wreck site to further explain the role of historical evidence in discovering and uncovering the truth.
Merging archaeological evidence and primary source documents, students in each group deduce why the ship sank off the coast of North Carolina. Both Ms. Davis and HRNM Educators were very impressed by the students on both days of the program. It is an excellent team building activity for both individual groups and as a class.

For more information on FREE educational program opportunities at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, download the current planner here.