This spectacle is sure to make a splash.
An impressive lineup of military vessels has started arriving at New York City ports this week as the nation prepares for a major celebration marking America’s 250th birthday.
The USS Arlington received a ceremonial water salute Tuesday as it entered New York Harbor, where it is scheduled to take part in Saturday’s International Naval Review 250.
The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship made its arrival during Fleet Week, which this year was shifted from its usual Memorial Day timing to July 4 to coincide with the historic flotilla.
The USS Arlington — one of three US Navy ships named in remembrance of the September 11 attacks — is among the first warships, tall ships and international vessels reaching the Big Apple ahead of the event.
Nearly 30 gray-hulled vessels are expected to anchor along the Hudson River, with the fleet set to move into the area on Wednesday.
The United States is contributing 10 ships from its fleet. Alongside the Arlington, the lineup will feature the famed aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which is expected to arrive with an MQ-25 Stingray and four F/A-18E Super Hornets aboard, according to the Aviationist.
The Nimitz, the lead ship of its class and the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the US fleet, is slated for retirement in 2027.
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Several other ships have already sailed into the harbor, according to a live map tracking the vessels.
The US’s Elissa is docked at Brooklyn’s Pier 2 — and at 149 years old, the Class A Tall Ship is the oldest ship in the parade
America 2.0 — a Class B vessel — is docked at the Chelsea Piers.
So far, only a handful of countries have had vessels arrive in the general New York Harbor area. Monaco’s Class B ship, the Tuiga, and the British Virgin Islands’ STV Vela are stationed in their respective Jersey City and Sandy Hook spots.
The Netherlands’ Oosterschelde sailed through the harbor on Tuesday, but is currently docked in the Hudson River off Westchester.
By Saturday, about 80 vessels will have arrived in the New York Harbor for the largest parade of sails in history.
More than 20 nations will be represented in the flotilla, including Argentina, France and Peru — though Mexico is noticeably missing from the line-up.
Organizers said “logistics and timing” prevented the Cuauhtémoc from returning to the Big Apple more than a year after it smashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in a disaster that killed two of its Naval cadets.
Roughly 15,000 sailors from 20 other countries will come ashore this week for the massive event.
