The U.S. Navy Retires Its Last Modern Ship To Sink An Enemy Naval Vessel

CNN: Hours before decommissioning, USS Simpson crew recall historic naval battle

Naval Station Mayport, Florida (CNN)The USS Simpson has turned into a ghost ship.

Its passageways are pitch black and steamy hot. It's silent, the constant hum of machinery that's the heartbeat of a warship eerily absent. Its windows are covered and ventilation sealed off. Its battle ribbons have been removed, its flag lowered.

But the ship still has a story to tell.

The U.S. Navy decommissioned the 30-year-old frigate Tuesday and with it shut the back cover on one of the most significant -- yet little-heralded -- stories in U.S. military history.

The Simpson was the last modern U.S. Navy warship to sink an enemy vessel in action. Of the 272 ships in the fleet now, only one ship can claim a similar honor: the USS Constitution, now a showpiece in Boston harbor, which sank British vessels in the War of 1812.

WNU Editor: This ship was retired a few weeks ago. Should have posted this story then .... but .... better late than never.