Ship Built of WTC Steel Arrives in NYC

The new Navy assault ship USS New York, built with World Trade Center steel, arrived in its namesake city today with a 21-gun salute near the site of the 2001 terrorist attacks. First responders, families of victims, and the public gathered at a waterfront viewing area, where they could see the vessel's crew standing at attention. The bow of the $1 billion ship contains about 7.5 tons of steel from the fallen towers. "It's a transformation ... from something really twisted and ugly," said Rosaleen Tallon, who lost her firefighter brother in the attacks. "I'm proud that our military is using that steel."

A commissioning ceremony is scheduled for Saturday. The New York will remain in the city through Veteran's Day and then head to Norfolk, Va., for about a year of crew training and exercises, a Navy rep said. The ship was scheduled to be built before the terrorist attacks. About a year later, the announcement came that it would bear the name New York to honor of the city, state, and those who died. (More USS New York stories.)