When USS New York (LPD 21) joins the fleet in 2007, it will sail with a permanent memorial to those who lost their lives in New York on Sept. 11, 2001.
Steel salvaged from the World Trade Center (WTC) wreckage will be used to build New York. The steel was recently shipped to Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, Miss., and will ultimately be transported to its Avondale Operations shipyard in New Orleans, where the ship will be built.
After shipyard personnel inspects the steel, it will be melted down and used to make the bow stem of New York.
"We're very proud that the twisted steel from the WTC towers will soon be used to forge an even stronger national defense," said New York Gov. George Pataki. "The USS New York will soon be defending freedom and combating terrorism around the globe, while also ensuring that the world never forgets the evil attacks of Sept. 11 and the courage and strength New Yorkers showed in response to terror."
New York is the fifth of the San Antonio-class amphibious assault ships. The San Antonio-class ships embark, transport and land elements of an assault landing force by helicopters, vertical take-off and landing aircraft, air cushion landing craft and amphibious vehicles.
The San Antonio-class’ future compatibility with the Marine Corps’ “mobility triad” of advanced amphibious assault vehicles, landing craft air cushion and the MV-22 Osprey will make it a vital component of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Sea Power 21 vision.
Its extensive command and control spaces and “flagship-like” connectivity will enable the ship class to fully support independent split operations or to serve as an integral part of amphibious ready groups, joint task forces or expeditionary strike groups.
Construction of New York is scheduled to start June 2003.
