USS Somerset Arrives in Penn’s Landing

USS Somerset in Philadelphia

‘A Tribute to 9/11 Victims of Flight 93’

Move over small boats, because here is the USS Somerset!

The 684 foot-long Naval LPD 25 ship, the USS Somerset, arrived in Philadelphia on Friday, February 21. This huge amphibious transport dock is now in Penn’s Landing for a commissioning ceremony on Saturday, March 1. It’s to be noted that tickets to the public are no longer available for the event, which expects nearly 7,000 attendees.

The vessel commemorates the crew and passengers who reacted quickly in preventing a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, before the plane crashed in Somerset County, PA. This amphibious transport dock is the last of three vessels honoring 9/11 victims and first responders. It joins the USS New York and the USS Arlington.

Did you know?

The ship’s construction includes remembrances of the Somerset crash site, to include 22 tons of steel from a crane that stood nearby and flooring from sugar maple trees grown in that area. The families of Flight 93 victims have donated coins and other mementos that were melted down to be part of the ship.

The USS Somerset is open for public tours on a first come, first serve basis until February 26 and again on March 1 and March 2. The tours are from 1:00 to 3:30 pm. For more details, Click Here.

Directly from the USS Somerset:

Somerset is making accommodations for all visitors but participants are requested to dress comfortably and wear closed-toe footwear. Dresses, high-heels and sandals are highly discouraged. Children under the age of eight may have trouble negotiating ladders and carrying small children is discouraged for safety reasons. Security checkpoints will be in place to screen all guests as well as to inspect all purses and backpacks.

USS Somerset Public Tours

Location

Penn’s Landing
Market Street at Columbus Boulevard

Dates

February 23 – 26 & March 1 – 2

Time

1 pm and ending promptly at 3:30 pm

Cost

FREE

Photo Courtesy of AP Photo/Matt Rourke