USS New York Warship Is Made With Steel from the Twin Towers

NEW YORK—The symbol of American spirit and integrity, the USS New York arrived on Tuesday, sailing along the Hudson River and finally docking at Pier 88 on the west side of Manhattan ahead of its official commissioning on Saturday, Nov. 7.

The patriotic ship was built with 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center welded into her bow.

Crew members from the ship were filled with enthusiasm for the USS New York and its namesake.

“New York can rebound back from any kind adversity. No other city can rebound as fast as New York,” said nine-year Marine and native Bronx resident Jim Purekal, who sailed back to New York on the USS New York.

Marine Jessy Johnson requested his assignment to the USS New York. “It is like phoenix rising out of the ashes,” said Johnson. “It is touching. … When I looked out onto the ship, I felt bigger than myself.”

“The message of this ship and what it symbolizes is the rebirth or the transformation of something very evil to something good,” said another marine.

The USS New York arrived on Tuesday after sailing from Norfolk, Virginia.

It is the sixth ship to hold the New York name with the original ship dating back to 1776. The last ship to hold the New York name was constructed on Sept. 11, 1911, exactly 90 years before the 9/11 attacks.

Because state names are usually reserved for submarines, Gov. Pataki wrote a letter to Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, petitioning for the name to be given to a surface ship for honoring the lives lost on Sept. 11 and those fighting the war on terror. The request was granted.

"The USS New York will ensure that all New Yorkers and the world will never forget the evil attacks of Sept. 11 and the courage and compassion New Yorkers showed in response to terror," said Gov. Pataki.