While sailing the York River, Zedric Jose took Sopha Levy up to the bow and proposed marriage. She said yes, to great enthusiasm from a family also sailing. They are in the US Navy, she in Williamsburg and he in Mississippi. They hope to collocate when they get married.
Stout Returns
The guided missile cruiser USS Stout returned to the Yorktown Weapons Station as only the fifth ship this year. The Stout was deployed off Iran for at least four months, along with a dozen or so other ships. The family on board Let’s Go Sail were mesmerized by the route diagonally up the river and then head-on to the Coleman Bridge. True to form, the bridge got stuck at the closing, but only for a few minutes. We could see people on the catwalk as it was suspended in the air.
The couples on board Let’s Go Sail were mesmerized by the size and speed of the ship, not to mention the swinging bridge.
USS Stout (DDG‑55) is an Arleigh Burke–class, Flight I Aegis guided‑missile destroyer whose career reflects both the grit of her namesake and the evolving demands of modern naval warfare. Commissioned on 13 August 1994, Stout was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding and today operates out of Naval Station Norfolk as part of Destroyer Squadron 28 .
Named for Rear Admiral Herald F. Stout, a decorated World War II destroyer commander who earned two Navy Crosses in three weeks during the Solomon Islands campaign, the ship carries forward his legacy of courage, aggressiveness, and tactical mastery. Her motto— “Tough, rugged, fast and ready”—captures both the spirit of her namesake and the destroyer’s own operational identity.
At 505 feet long and displacing roughly 8,900 tons, Stout is powered by two shafts capable of driving her beyond 30 knots. She fields the Aegis Combat System, AN/SPY‑1 radar, Tomahawk cruise missiles, Standard surface‑to‑air missiles, Harpoon anti‑ship missiles, torpedoes, and a 5‑inch gun—giving her a broad multi‑mission portfolio spanning air defense, strike warfare, anti‑submarine operations, and maritime security.
Stout’s operational history includes high‑visibility deployments and moments of intense scrutiny. In 2008, she failed a Board of Inspection and Survey exam but subsequently passed 13 of 13 major training inspections, demonstrating a sharp turnaround in readiness. She launched Tomahawk missiles during Operation Odyssey Dawn in 2011 and later surged to the eastern Mediterranean during the Syrian civil war response in 2013 .
In 2020, Stout set a Navy record by remaining at sea for 215 consecutive days, a testament to crew endurance and operational demand during the COVID‑19 era.
Today, USS Stout remains an active, battle‑ready destroyer—an embodiment of resilience, firepower, and the fighting legacy of Rear Admiral Stout.
Mahan Returns
A few days later, the USS Mahan returned as well. That very afternoon yet another destroyer cruised into Yorktown, making that two ships in one day and four total in four days. We went four months earlier this year without seeing a Navy ship. Once again, passengers on Let’s Go Sail were astonished.
USS Mahan (DDG‑72) is an Arleigh Burke–class, Flight II Aegis guided‑missile destroyer that has served as a versatile and battle‑ready asset of the United States Navy since her commissioning in 1998. Built at Bath Iron Works in Maine and named for the influential naval strategist Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, the ship carries forward a legacy of sea power theory that shaped modern naval doctrine. Mahan’s motto, “Built to Fight,” reflects both her namesake’s philosophy and the destroyer’s own operational pedigree.
At 505 feet long and displacing more than 8,600 tons, Mahan is powered by four LM2500 gas turbines capable of driving her beyond 30 knots. She is equipped with the Aegis Combat System, advanced radars, and a broad suite of weapons including Tomahawk cruise missiles, Standard surface‑to‑air missiles, Harpoon anti‑ship missiles, torpedoes, and a 5‑inch gun—giving her the ability to conduct air defense, surface warfare, strike missions, and anti‑submarine operations.
Since entering service, Mahan has completed numerous deployments across the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Middle East. Her operational history includes maritime security missions, NATO exercises, humanitarian engagements, and high‑visibility port visits. She has supported operations ranging from counter‑terrorism surveillance to ballistic missile defense, and she has repeatedly demonstrated readiness during complex multinational exercises.
Mahan’s service has not been without solemn moments. In 2014, a tragic shooting aboard the ship resulted in the death of Master‑at‑Arms Second Class Mark Mayo, who sacrificed himself to protect a fellow sailor. His heroism remains part of the ship’s living legacy.
Today, USS Mahan continues to operate from Norfolk, Virginia, maintaining her role as a forward‑deployed, multi‑mission destroyer—embodying the enduring strategic principles of sea power that her namesake championed.
Let’s Go Sail
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Let’s Go on a Romantic Sail. Sit up on the bow for privacy. First-timers or skilled mariners can learn to sail fast on a cruise Near Williamsburg VA. They get to sail a modern 32-foot sailboat in a unique setting of wildlife and Spring foliage. Professional photos for free. Enjoy a romantic getaway. Sail the warm breezes of Spring and Summer. A unique and intriguing event, as well as an extraordinary anniversary idea. Take one of 6 sailing adventures near the Chesapeake Bay for your best vacation excursion: Adventure, Event, Appreciation, History, Lessons, Boat Buying. Sit in the catbird seat or up on the bow.
The best Williamsburg boat tour offers safe sailing daily for up to 6 people. It’s an extraordinary experience for couples. Leave your worries behind. Enjoy the thrill of moving with the wind without a care in the world. Put life back on an even keel with a romantic experience for a birthday or anniversary. 3-hour sailboat cruise as a semi-private yachting charter lets you exhale and relax as you enjoy comfort, stability and speed.
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Our York River sailboat tour offers an unforgettable boat adventure that is ideal for couples. Choose from five unique sailing charters: Adventure, Lessons, History, Boat Buying, Real Estate. We provide sailing for everyone. Couples enjoy the romance, and families enjoy the adventure. See openings at williamsburgchartersails.com under Book A Cruise.
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she said yes she said yes she said yes
