Short Takes: Unexpected Ships – The Unexpectedly Longest Ship

A Naval Academy riddle sends us across the vast, tractless oceans in search of The Longest Ship in Navy History.  Explore a mystery spanning nearly 700 miles from the Mid-Atlantic region up to New England in order to discover the unexpectedly longest ship the Navy ever (sort of) put to sea! https://youtu.be/1xShmPl5Qkw #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #ShortTakes, … Continue reading Short Takes: Unexpected Ships – The Unexpectedly Longest Ship

Short Takes – Vulcan!

Birmingham, Alabama boasts a giant world record—the largest cast iron statue on the planet!  Created to represent Birmingham during the 1904 World’s Fair, Vulcan today stands atop a towering pedestal, forever examining a spear he just forged.  Learn the history of this unique piece of Americana—and how a Roman god came to symbolize an American … Continue reading Short Takes – Vulcan!

Short Takes – Fort Donelson

The early days of the Civil War appeared to foreshadow only defeat and humiliation for the Union, but an obscure general from Illinois forever altered that narrative.  Take a trip to the quiet, beautiful hills of northwestern Tennessee and learn how Ulysses Grant gave the Union its first real victory when he capture Fort Donelson. … Continue reading Short Takes – Fort Donelson

Short Takes – Unexpected Ships: The Unexpected Mast

Fort Knox is famous as home to the United States’ gold depository and the General George Patton Museum, but a quiet corner presents a most unexpected site for an Army post—the mast of a bygone battleship.  Discover the unexpected mast of USS Kentucky’s (BB 6) aboard Fort Knox! https://youtu.be/QzxeNwureDQ #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #Kentucky, #battleship, #FortKnox, #shorttakes, … Continue reading Short Takes – Unexpected Ships: The Unexpected Mast

Short Takes- Gateway to Adventure

The Gateway Arch is a stunning architectural achievement, and also a stunning monument to the expansion of the American story.  Come along for a short visit to this most unique of American monuments! https://youtu.be/wFliaO-mEmk #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #StLouis, #Missiouri, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #NPS, #GatewayArch, #Arch, #ThomasJefferson, #museum, #museums,

Short Takes – Aloha Tower

Discover an oft-overlooked landmark standing tall along Honolulu’s waterfront: the Aloha Tower!  Providing an island welcome to visitors arriving by ship since 1936, the Aloha Tower is a cornerstone of Honolulu’s economic life, and an icon of the Hawaiian islands! https://youtu.be/hqrq5e4psNc #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #alohatower, #aloha, #hawaii, #oahu, #hawaiianislands, #oceantravel,

Short Takes’ Unexpected Ships – The Unexpected Bell

Today, July 30, 2024, marks 79 years since one of the greatest Navy tragedies of World War II darkened our nation’s maritime skies.  Robert Shaw’s mesmerizing performance in 1975’s “Jaws” introduced a new generation to the tragedy of the USS Indianapolis, a ship that sank in 18,000 feet of water and has never been salvaged.  … Continue reading Short Takes’ Unexpected Ships – The Unexpected Bell

Short Takes: Unexpected Ships – Ticonderoga

An unexpected ship pops up in the middle of the stunning Vermont countryside.  This elegant paddlewheel steamer used to ply the waters of the Great Lakes until the Shelburne Museum acquired it in the 1950s.  Come aboard and learn the story of the Ticonderoga! https://youtu.be/zVaUTnvyX24 #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #unexpectedships, #steamboat, #steamer, #ship, #paddlewheel, #GreatLakes, #Vermont, … Continue reading Short Takes: Unexpected Ships – Ticonderoga

Short Takes – The Pony Express

Come ride along with the Pony Express here on Short Takes!  Looming large in the mythos of the American Wild West, the Pony Express only operated for 18 months before fading into history.  Come take a brief look at the United States’ first transcontinental high-speed mail delivery system! https://youtu.be/J319KWEDWZE #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #ponyexpress, #shorttakes, #wildwest, #western, … Continue reading Short Takes – The Pony Express

Short Takes: Unexpected Ships — USS Memphis

Another Unexpected Ships here on Short Takes!  Strolling about Nashville’s scenic Centennial Park can reveal the bronze scrollwork from the bow of the cruiser USS Memphis (CA 10), a ship that started life as USS Tennessee!  Join me for the story of USS Memphis—the USS Tennessee before the USS Tennessee! https://youtu.be/EbnGh-4CaRg #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #tennessee, … Continue reading Short Takes: Unexpected Ships — USS Memphis