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Kennedy leaves Boston Harbor for last time

AT SEA ABOARD THE USS JOHN F. KENNEDY — It’s coming down to last times onboard the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy and it began to kick into high gear Wednesday, when the ship’s ice-coated mooring lines were pulled in for the last time as an active ship in the U.S. Navy.

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It began Wednesday with the ship leaving port for the last time under its own power as the ship wrapped its nearly weeklong stay in Boston two days late, due to fuel concerns and bad weather.

But though it was still very cold, it was nothing compared to the minus-20 wind chills and 40-knot winds of just a day ago.

So finally, 1:03 p.m. Wednesday, the last mooring line was pulled aboard and the Kennedy was pulled free from the dock by Boston Harbor Tugs — under the control of Capt. Jeffrey A. Smith and pulled into the navigational channel when its own screws began to bite at the water.

Within minutes, the carrier passed Castle Island, where hundreds of Bostonians turned out to wave at the passing ship and its sailors out on the open decks.

“We really liked it here and had a great time,” said Airman Matthew Brock, who was helping handle lines on the ship’s fantail. “But we are ready to go home — back to the warmth of Mayport.”

Nearby, Airman Josh Louviere, was waving at the crowds and though the finality of the moment was not lost on him, he put it into a sailor’s perspective.

“Sure I’m glad to be a part of a little piece of history here,” Louviere said. “But I wish we had shore liberty here — this town was very good to us.”