Huge Ship In Anaheim Bay Is 'Historic' First For Seal Beach

SEAL BEACH, CA — A Naval warship docked in Anaheim Bay this week is the largest of its kind to ever arrive at the harbor, according to Navy officials.

The USS Tripoli docked at Anaheim Bay on Tuesday, with Navy Public Affairs Officer Gregg Smith calling it a "historic week" for the Seal Beach's Naval Weapons Station.

The USS Tripoli looks like an aircraft carrier, but it's known as a general-purpose amphibious assault ship, Smith said.

These warships are designed to be able to sail during dangerous or harmful situations, according to the Unites States Navy. The ships' "inherent capabilities" make them useful for supporting humanitarian and contingency missions on short notice, according to the Navy's website. These warships are typically 820 feet in length and weigh nearly 40,000 tons when carrying a full load.

Smith said military personnel aboard the ship were conducting routine operations but couldn't disclose further details for "security reasons."

"Some folks think the ship is here for Memorial Day or Los Angeles Fleet Week," Smith said. "That's not the case. It will not be opening up for any public visiting. It's just a coincidence that it's here over this time frame."

Military ships typically arrive at Anaheim Bay to load ammunition from the weapons station or to unload it.

Before a recently completed five-year-long project to transform Anaheim Bay, the largest vessels the base received were San Antonio-class landing platform docks, Smith said.

The San Antonio-class landing platform docks are used to transport US Marine Corps vehicles and weapons, according to the Navy website. They measure 684 feet and weigh nearly 25,000 tons when carrying a full load, according to the Navy.

But the construction of a large ammunition pier, dredging of the bay to increase the size of the turning area and a new public boating channel that keeps the public at a safer distance away from where the military ships dock, allows for large vessels like the USS Tripoli to arrive at the naval base, Smith said.