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The fascinating account of U.S. Navy ships named Nebraska comes to life with I Christen Thee, Nebraska. Author Monty McCord deftly illustrates the historical significance of these ships in the Navy. Even as early as the Civil War, three ships carried the name Nebraska. Over forty years later in 1907, the USS Nebraska (BB-14) was one of sixteen battleships that steamed around the world with President Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet (1907-1909). McCord re-creates daily life on these ships with accounts of operations, the sailors' hardships, recreation, and humor in the early steel Navy. During the 1970s, construction began on a new class of ballistic missile submarines that would include the USS Nebraska (SSBN-739). The Nebraska (BB-14) was the fourteenth battleship built, and, coincidentally, the submarine Nebraska was the fourteenth of its class. This massive submarine was commissioned in 1993 and continues to serve a deterrent mission. McCord also delves into the colorful histories of other Navy ships named after Nebraska people and places, offering a distinct look at a relatively unknown piece of American history. |
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Railroads were responsible for establishing many towns in Nebraska, including Hastings. The location of the city was determined by the junction of two railroads, the Burlington and Missouri River, and the St. Joseph and Denver City. Hastings was founded in 1872 and named after railroad construction engineer Major Delmonte Hastings. Hastings - The Queen City of the Plains includes over 200 photographs from the Adams County Historical Society and the author, Monty McCord. You will see Heartwell Park, which was originally established as a private park by James B. Heartwell in 1886. Other images show the Fisher Rainbow Fountain, one of the most identifiable landmarks in the city, located in front of the utilities building. This book also showcases images of the U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot, which was built during World War II, and had a large impact on Hastings' development. |