On September 27, 2004, I was fortunate to accompany a group of volunteers led by Mr. Peter Papadakos, who were given permission to visit Horne, Jouett, Sterett and Fox as they work to restore USS Joseph P. Kennedy at Battleship Cove. Horne, Jouett, Sterett and Fox are the last Belknap Class Cruisers remaining at Suisun Bay's Mothball Fleet. The other Suisun Bay cruisers (Gridley, England, Halsey, Standley) have already been sent to that big battle group in the sky. WARNING! These images may be troubling to those who wish to remember Horne as a mighty warship. But if you want to take a look at the lady as she is today, scroll down.

In the photo above, taken 9/27/04, you see a small tug. This is the USS Hoga, a very famous tug boat which performed valiantly in Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941.  The Hoga is tied up to the aft section of Jouett, (CG-29). Jouett is tied up to the starboard side of Horne. Horne's bow and twin launcher are visible in the photo. Horne is tied up to the port side of Sterett (CG-31) which is tied up to the starboard side of Fox (CG-33). Fox is hidden in this shot but she's there. It is anticipated that one of these four cruisers will leave Suisun Bay very soon and be towed to Brownsville, TX for ship breaking. Realizing that time was running out to pay one last visit to Horne, I requested and was granted permission to accompany Mr. Papadakos and his group on their visit to Suisun Bay.
I took more than 100 photos throughout Horne.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MR. PAPADAKOS AND HIS TEAM
 FOR MAKING MY VISIT POSSIBLE.