Ship built with Twin Towers steel enters New York

An American warship built with steel salvaged from the World Trade Center has sailed into New York harbour on its emotional maiden voyage.

The crew of the ‘USS New York’ stood to attention and a 21-gun salute near Ground Zero honoured those killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Victims’ relatives were among wellwishers who turned out to greet the vessel.

“I worked in the Trade Center for a couple of years,” said one man. “In fact, when I was graduating college, it was a hole in the ground when I was looking for my first job. And I always felt a deep attachment to the building.”

“I only watched the horror on TV when it happened and I myself was very traumatized by it,” a woman added. “And I just wanted to show support to the military, the firefighters and everyone here.”

Some 7.5 tonnes of steel recovered from the rubble of the Twin Towers is built into the bow of the ‘USS New York’. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks on September 11 2001. The ship’s motto is ‘Never Forget’.

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tags: USA