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Departure of the USS Freedom

On Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, Marinette Marine's newest addition to the U.S. Navy departed its dock at the shipyard for what is probably the last time. The ship, with the Selvick Marine tugs, Jimmy L and Jacquelyn Nicole, in attendance, headed down the Menominee River on a gray and dreary morning before heading out to the open waters beyond Menominee North Pier Lighthouse. The Navy has a couple of weeks to try out their newest ship before it is due in Milwaukee for commissioning on Nov. 8, 2008. Bon Voyage!!

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Tugs hold ship against dock as lines are cast off	Lines are off and the tugs stand off	USS Freedom (LCS-1) pulls away from Marinette Marine for the last time
The convoy heads down-river	Tugs, Jacquelyn Nicole (bow) and Jimmy L, tag along	Close-up of Marinette Marine's newest Navy ship
Another view passing KK Integrated Logistics	Stern view heading for Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge	The bridge opens to let the small convoy through
The convoy heads out of the inner harbor	Close-up passing the flag at Marinette Fuel and Dock	Close-up as the sailors line the deck of the bow
The bow contingent salutes all who came to see it off	More sailors in the boat deck	Sailors on the stern also stand and salute the crowd
A "Menominee Maroons" flag is displayed	Stern view heading for the bay of Green Bay	Stern view of the small convoy
The convoy approaches the dredging operation as it nears the lighthouse	A crowded scene at Menominee North Pier Lighthouse	The ship is past the lighthouse
Bon Voyage! Serve your country well!