A battleship returns home
Posted: 01.25.2012 at 5:00 AM
The USS Laffey in 1964  / US Navy Official photograph
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CHARLESTON(WACH/AP) -- "The Ship That Would Not Die" is returning home after 2 years of repairs.  The USS Laffey, which was named a national landmark in 1986, had been part of Patriot’s Point in Mt. Pleasant, alongside the Yorktown and Clamagore until she was moved to North Charleston for repairs to her hull in August, 2009.

The Laffey was built in 1943, commissioned in 1944, and saw action both World War II and Korea.  The ship is known as the “The Ship That Would Not Die” because despite being damaged by 4 bombs, 6 kamikaze attacks, and strafing that killed 32 and wounded 71, she did not sink.

After finding over 100 leaks in the hull of the ship In 2008, a $9.2 million loan was secured from the State of South Carolina to make repairs at the Detyen’s Shipyard in North Charleston.

The USS Laffey is now being returned to a berth near the USS Yorktown on Patriots Point.  Veterans who served on the Laffey will be among those welcoming the Laffey back to the museum.

(The AP contributed to this story)