Here are the U.S. Navy ships that’ll parade past West Seattle during Seafair Fleet Week

(2011 US Navy photo of USS Essex)
The Blue Angels aren’t all that the U.S. Navy is sending back to Seafair this summer, after a year away because of federal budget travails. The Seafair Fleet Parade of Ships is back too – with the ships planning to sail past West Seattle shores on their way around Elliott Bay starting around 10 am July 30th. We just received the announcement of which ships will participate – the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83). All three are homeported in San Diego; they’ll also be open for public tours July 31-August 3. The Parade of Ships will include U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian participation, too – more as it gets closer.

P.S. Last amphibious-assault ship to participate in the Seafair Parade of Ships was the USS Bonhomme Richard in 2011 – here’s our coverage from that year.

11 Replies to "Here are the U.S. Navy ships that'll parade past West Seattle during Seafair Fleet Week"

  • person July 3, 2014 (7:18 pm)

    I already miss the years when the Blue Angels did not come here recently. Sigh.

  • Stars N Stripes for 'Merica July 3, 2014 (8:12 pm)

    USA! USA!

  • Anne July 3, 2014 (9:53 pm)

    Welcome back to Seafair Blue Angels! Go Navy!

  • cj July 4, 2014 (8:57 am)

    My husband would love to see this but unfortunately like a lot of people he will be at work :/

  • Norma July 4, 2014 (10:25 am)

    I don’t miss the fireworks in Elliot Bay but I surely missed the Blue Angels. Welcome back!

  • Eric Harrison July 4, 2014 (4:21 pm)

    On behalf of the United States Navy, we are excited to be back for Seafair Fleet Week!

    Senior Chief Eric Harrison
    U.S. Navy

  • Jason July 5, 2014 (4:48 pm)

    Your tax dollars are being wasted on this parade. Do you folks know or care how many hundreds of thousands of tax dollars are being wasted on this show? Do you think this is “free?”

    Get the military back to protecting our borders and country, not putting on shows for us. Return the seafair money back to the taxpayers.

  • Chachi July 6, 2014 (11:50 am)

    Instead of going to see the Boats and Blue Angels I am going to see Jason do his motivational speaking.

  • wscommuter July 6, 2014 (10:30 pm)

    Jason … seriously? Are you suggesting that the military ISN’T protecting us now? That this Seafair event makes us less safe?

    Turn down the Rush and Fox News … relax … it will all be ok.

  • Alice July 21, 2014 (8:02 am)

    Where is the best place in West Seattle to watch the ships? Somewhere near Salty’s? Up at Hamilton viewpoint? Need advice!

    • WSB July 21, 2014 (9:40 am)

      My personal favorite is Duwamish Head – closest view, as with ferries going to and from downtown.

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