USS Mitscher sails into neutral Cobh

cork | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Sunday November 05, 2006 16:52

by John Jefferies - Anti-War Ireland, Cobh, Co. Cork

info at antiwarireland dot org

Cobh, Co. Cork.

(086) 3004573

guided missile destroyer guarded against unarmed protesters

A huge United States navy guided missile destroyer once again sits at the quays in Cobh at the centre of Cork Harbour, her presence causing the closure for the third time in six months of the popular local walking path known as the Five Foot Way.

USS Mitscher (DDG 57) from US Naval website

A sister of USS The Sullivans which visited Cobh last July (see Indymedia report http://www.indymedia.ie/article/77162) the USS Mitscher is an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer which is bristling with weapons including Tomahawk Cruise missiles which can be easily converted to nuclear missiles.

At 505 feet long (154 metres) and displacing almost 8,500 metric tonnes the USS Mitscher is without doubt a weapon of mass destruction and was deployed to the gulf during the build up to the invasion of Iraq.

With her motto "Seize the day" USS Mitscher is in Cobh until next Thursday 8th November. She is commanded by Captain Bill McKinley who formerly served on the USS Enterprise. (no, not that one, but we have to wonder.)

On Tuesday 7th November at 7.00pm a protest demonstration will be organised by Anti-War Ireland due to the ships infringement of Irish neutrality and in objection to Ireland's ongoing collaboration with the US led wars and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. In the meantime a number of local people are keeping up a vigil. It is understood that a reception will be held for senior members of the crew at nearby Cobh town hall. Local residents have expressed concern at Cobh's Town Council's spiralling entertainment bill. Earlier this afternoon (Sunday) some of the ship's crew were picked up for a tour by an Irish naval service minibus. No doubt the officer's mess at Haulbowline will be full again tonight.

A force of gardai were once again on duty at Deepwater Quay and the entrance to the popular Five Foot Way walking route was also blocked by a double cordon of crash barriers. Two or three garda and Irish navy inflatables were patrolling the area while a large rubber boom surrounded the ship, presumably to prevent anyone rowing in and attacking the warship or possibly to prevent sludge or other material from the USS Mitscher from polluting Cork Harbour.

Changing date from 6th to 7th as requested by author.

Armed officer onboard USS Mitscher at Cobh quays