PHOTOS: The U.S.S. Detroit Makes History By Visiting Windsor

Monday October 24th, 2016, 2:42pm

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Windsor was part of American military history today when the U.S.S. Detroit made its fist port of call at an international destination – a first for a U.S. warship.

The 115 m ship was officially commissioned in Detroit on Saturday, and will be docked at Dieppe Gardens in Windsor for the next four days.

A crowd of citizens, military officers, veterans, and city officials met in Dieppe Gardens to officially welcome the ship, which is the sixth to bear the Detroit name. The very first, the H.M.C.S. Detroit, was the final ship built during The War of 1812, and the construction took place in Amherstburg, Ontario.

“It is particularly fitting that the U.S.S. Detroit has come to Windsor,” said Consul General Douglas George at the ceremony this afternoon, noting that it is a “good reflection on ongoing partnership and cooperation” between the neighbouring cities and countries.

Navy Captain Alan Offer agrees that this historic visit is appropriate, as “Canada and The U.S. have many things in common, and nowhere is this more evident than in the cities of Windsor and Detroit.” He went on to express his hope that this is the beginning of “more opportunities for Canadian and U.S. ships to work together.”

Windsor Poet Laureate Marty Gervais was in attendance to recite an original poem, “The Sing To The Sky,” a copy of which was also presented to the ship’s captain, Commander Michael P. Desmond, along with the keys to the city.

During his closing remarks, Desmond expressed how impressed he has been by the “phenomenal” relationship between Windsor and Detroit, noting the number of Canadian visitors to the ship during it’ weeklong stay in Detroit.

While The U.S.S. Detroit is not open for tours, the public is still encouraged to visit the riverfront to see it while it is docked here. The ship will be leaving Windsor on Thursday, October 27.