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The U.S. Navy’s newest asset, the USS Independence,  has been at the ship basin in Key West for the last few days, departing today.  Built in Mobile , Alabama, it is on its shakedown cruise, and will stop in Norfolk, Virginia next .   I had the priviledge of going aboard yesterday for a tour, from the stern helopad to the bridge.  It is the Navy’s only (so far) “Littoral” ship, designed especially for work in waters within 15 miles of a shoreline.  The hull is constructed entirely of aluminum sheeting and the angles of the hull surfaces make the ship invisible  to radar.  Underway, control of the ship is either by autopilot or by officers seated at each of six very high tech stations with what resemble videogame joysticks.  Key West is known for the  many interesting and, sometimes, high-profile visitors that are attracted to this island city, and the Independence is just another one!!                                                              

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