uss yorktown tour times

Travel Guide and Tips for Visiting Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in South Carolina

By Jason Barnette | Travel writer and photographer with 15+ years of road tripping experience

• Last Updated on December 24, 2023
• Published on November 3, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate Disclosure here .

Standing on the USS Yorktown’s flight deck, with a view of Charleston’s church steeples and historic buildings across the harbor, I could see why Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum was one of the most exciting military museums in the country. But getting to the flight deck to enjoy this view was not easy – it was actually a bit overwhelming the first time – so I decided it was time to write a complete travel guide to help first, second, and third time visitors make the most of their visit.

Patriots Point – as the locals simply call it – is located at the edge of Charleston Harbor in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. You’ll need to pay a few dollars to use their parking lot, but it’s absolutely worth it. You’re immediately greeted by the towering view of the USS Yorktown , the premiere attraction at the military museum. But it’s not the only thing to see and do.

40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC | 843-884-2727 | www.patriotspoint.org

How Long Will You Spend at Patriots Point?

Patriots Point features three Navy vessels to explore – and the USS Yorktown has six guided tours alone – so it will take a while to explore the complex even if you only do a cursory walkthrough.

I recommend first-time visitors plan to spend the “day” – at least eight hours. There is a café on the USS Yorktown serving café-style food, and there are plenty of places to take a break from walking and standing.

If you only have a few hours, I recommend doing one or two of the self-guided walking tours on the USS Yorktown , the Medal of Honor Museum on the aircraft carrier, and a walkthrough of the Vietnam War Experience.

READ MORE: 10 Thrilling Things to Do in Mount Pleasant, SC

Admission Costs to Patriots Point

If you’re a solo traveler like me, admission to Patriots Point is not bad at all. However, if you have a small family of four or five, admission can start to cost a bit.

Single-day admission to Patriots Point starts at $24 for adults, $16 for children ages 6-11, and $19 for seniors over 62. There are other packages and options for admission, but this is the base price. I think the admission price is well worth it, considering the sheer amount of awesome things to see and do once you enter the gate.

Is Patriots Point Accessible?

Keeping in mind the main attraction at Patriots Point is three military vessels that were never built for accessibility, there are things to do at the museum complex for those with walking handicaps.

In the USS Yorktown , the hangar deck and flight deck are accessible by elevator. This includes the Medal of Honor Museum, several aircraft displays, and the snack shop. Unfortunately, most of the rest of the ship is not accessible.

The USS Laffey and USS Clamagore are not accessible at all.

The Vietnam War Experience is an outdoor exhibit that is moderately accessible. A wooden boardwalk winds through the recreation of a camp, and several of the buildings are accessible.

READ MORE: Learn the Stories of Veterans at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, OH

USS Yorktown WWII-Era Aircraft Carrier

The big attraction – and I do mean big – at Patriots Point is the WWII-era USS Yorktown aircraft carrier. There are only a few aircraft carriers in the country open as a ship museum – and this is the only one in South Carolina – so it was a real treat to spend a day exploring the ship.

The USS Yorktown CV-10 was commissioned on April 15, 1943, and named in honor of the USS Yorktown CV-5 that was sunk at the Battle of Midway. Nicknamed the “Fighting Lady,” the USS Yorktown saw combat during World War II in the Pacific theater from 1943-1945. After conversion into an anti-submarine aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown served in the Vietnam War.

In 1970, the USS Yorktown was decommissioned and five years later, sailed to Charleston to become the main attraction of the newly created Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.

READ MORE: 8 Historical Sites to Learn About the Revolutionary War in Charleston, South Carolina

Hangar Bay #3

The main entrance to the USS Yorktown is in Hangar Bay #3. Visitors climb a long series of steps to one of the aircraft lifting decks to enter the hangar bay, and an elevator helps with accessibility.

The Medal of Honor Museum is located across from the main entrance. It’s one of my favorite places to visit at Patriots Point. The museum is dedicated to telling the stories of Medal of Honor recipients. Interactive displays explain the history of the medal given out since the Civil War, the first recipient, and stories of combat and courage that have led to the award going to hundreds of veterans.

At the rear of the USS Yorktown , near the fantail, is the small snack bar . You’ll find typical foods like chicken tenders, fries, and sandwiches, all made from frozen goods, that are about as good as you’ll find at a drive-in movie theater. It’s not bad food and keeps visitors fed while spending an entire day exploring the gargantuan aircraft carrier.

READ MORE: The Coffee Lover’s Guide to My Favorite Coffee Shops in Charleston, SC

Hangar Bay #2

The hangar deck’s middle section will likely be the first aircraft you’ll encounter at Patriots Point. Several aircraft are on permanent display along with interpretive panels to explain their name and statistics.

The flight simulator is an enjoyable experience, although it’s not interactive. It’s not the kind of simulator where you can take the stick and pilot the simulator yourself – like the one where I turned upside down at the National Museum of the United States Air Force – but rather it’s like watching a movie in a chair that bobs up and down.

Hangar Bay #1

The hangar deck’s front has a few older aircraft on display and a large theater for historical movies. At least, I think that’s what it is for because I have never actually seen a movie on the large screen during all my visits.

Tucked into a corner is a recreation of the Apollo 8 capsule. On Christmas Day in 1968, the Apollo 8 returned after spending 20 hours orbiting the Moon. The USS Yorktown was assigned to retrieve the capsule and astronaut pilots upon their return. Take a seat inside the recreated capsule and listen to the actual radio transmissions during the mission!

Self-Guided Walking Tours

The USS Yorktown features six self-guided walking tours beginning on the Hangar Deck:

• Living and Working Areas
• Fire Room and Engine Room
• Flight Deck and Bridge
• Ship’s Memorials and Models
• Wardroom and Brig
• Charleston Naval Shipyard Museum

It will take around 4-6 hours to explore the exhibits, aircraft and walk the corridors and stairs of all six tours. If you have limited time to explore Patriots Point, I recommend taking Tour #1 and Tour #3. Each will take about an hour to explore and include the ship’s areas like the galley, enlisted quarters, machine shop, flight deck, and command bridge.

READ MORE: Aircraft, Veterans, and History – This is Why You Need to Visit the MAPS Air Museum in Canton, Ohio

Tour #1 – Living and Working Areas

This is one of my favorite self-guided tours on the USS Yorktown . The tour descends into the lower decks and passes through the galley, cafeteria, crew quarters, and machine shops. It was my first introduction to narrow, steep staircases on a Navy vessel – and the low clearance bulkheads that someone of my height should avoid.

I love this tour because it shows the areas of the ship where the crew would have lived while not on duty; tables with board games, bunks stacked one atop of the other, and narrow passageways give you a great appreciation for anyone who served on a carrier.

Tour #2 – Fire Room and Engine Room

Fortunately for visitors to the USS Yorktown , the engines are quiet these days. But thanks to the downright gorgeous displays in the Engine Room Experience Exhibit, visitors can at least get an idea of what that roar sounded like.

The interactive exhibit is one of the best at Patriots Point. It brings to life what otherwise was nothing more than room after room of non-functional gauges and dials, making this another of my favorite tours on the USS Yorktown .

READ MORE: Learn the Story of the Forgotten Founder at the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site in Mount Pleasant, SC

Tour #3 – Flight Deck and Bridge

This is the most popular self-guided tour on the USS Yorktown . The tour begins with passage through the pilot briefing room on the way to the flight deck.

You gain an appreciation for the sheer size of an aircraft carrier when you can freely walk across the 50,000 square-foot flight deck. The flight deck is so large that one time I visited, I found a homerun derby carried out on the deck – with baseballs plunging into Charleston Harbor.

Almost two dozen aircraft and helicopters are on display on the flight deck. They represent all the types of aircraft that were once deployed from the USS Yorktown , ranging from WWII props to Vietnam-era jet aircraft.

A final climb on the self-guided tours entered the bridge where the ship was steered. The captain’s chair has the best view on the ship with the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge stretching across the harbor!

READ MORE: 10 Reasons Why You Need to Visit the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Georgia

Tour #4 – Ship’s Memorials and Models

Just because this tour includes model ships does not mean it should be overlooked. Display cases hold massive models of various Navy ships. It’s a great way to check out these ships’ design and function because many are not on display at any ship museum.

Tour #5 – Wardroom and Brig

Bright red bars locked across a black metal grid. That’s what I remember most about the self-guided tour through the brig. “Everyone misbehaves at some point,” an older man in a veteran’s hat once told me on tour.

This tour included the barbershop, something I think might have been a tailor’s shop, and a soda fountain. Yes, a soda fountain on an aircraft carrier.

Tour #6 – Charleston Naval Shipyard Museum

From the 1940s until the 1980s, Charleston Naval Shipyard was the largest employer in the Lowcountry region and a vital Navy asset. This self-guided tour explores the shipyard’s history with interpretive displays explaining the types of ships built and converted at the shipyard.

Captain’s Tour of the USS Yorktown

I have always enjoyed the self-guided tours of the USS Yorktown , but I have to admit I was excited when I learned about the Captain’s Tour by Bulldog Tours . The local tour company offers a one-hour guided tour of the historic WWII-era aircraft carrier that includes exclusive access to areas of the ship and lots of great stories of the history of the USS Yorktown .

The tours cost $39 per adult and $29 per child, with discounts for seniors and military, and should be booked in advance to guarantee a spot for the day you want to visit. Since you still have to pay admission to enter Patriots Point, I think this guided tour is best for a second visit when you have more time to explore.

USS Laffey Destroyer

If ships could talk, the USS Laffey would have endless stories to tell. Commissioned in 1944, the Navy destroyer was immediately sent into the Atlantic theater to assist in D-Day landings in Normandy.

Later, the USS Laffey served in the Pacific theater until the end of the war, served as a support vessel during the atomic bomb tests, and served in the Korean War. The “Ship That Would Not Die” was named after Medal of Honor recipient Seaman Bartlett Laffey, a Civil War veteran.

The ship was retired in 1975 and six years later, sailed to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.

Touring the USS Laffey only takes about half an hour, but it’s still worth the effort to see inside this destroyer. The tour begins aft on the ship’s outer decks before heading inside to the Combat Information Center. A fascinating interactive display featuring a hologram takes visitors through the search for enemy submarines.

READ MORE: Exploring Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

USS Clamagore Cold War Submarine

The USS Clamagore has a long – very long – history. Commissioned in 1945, the submarine served during the Cold War era when American and Soviet submarines patrolled the world’s oceans.

In 1975, the submarine was retired without ever serving in combat. Six years later, it sailed to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.

The self-guided tour on the USS Clamagore is the shortest and most difficult at Patriots Point. The passages are extremely narrow and hatches quite small. Standing at 6’1”, I actually found it difficult ducking through the hatches between each compartment throughout the submarine. Difficult, but not impossible.

The two largest compartments I found on the submarine were the mess hall – four tables with swivel chairs attached – and the torpedo room. Space was at a premium, and it was fascinating to see just how they utilized every cubic inch for storage, machinery, and living space.

Vietnam War Experience

Back on dry land, the 2.5-acre Vietnam War Experience is a recreation of a “Brown Water Navy” support base used during the war. It’s an interesting aspect of the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum and one I highly recommend all visitors explore, even if you are limited on time.

A wooden boardwalk winds through the camp past several buildings, vehicles, and helicopters. Step inside the Fire Control Bunker to see a video, explore the Mess Hall, or climb to the Observation Tower’s top to check out the entire camp. Climb aboard the UH-34 Sea Horse helicopter – you can even sit in the pilot’s seat – or take a walk through the CH-46 Sea Knight to see how medical patients were transported.

READ MORE: 16 Fantastic Free Things to Do In (and Around) Charleston, South Carolina

Tips for the Best Experience at Patriots Point

There is a lot to see and do at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, and it’s almost impossible to do it all with just one visit. Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit and give you the best experience.

• Arrive early and avoid holidays as they tend to be overwhelmingly busy.
• Wear closed-toed shoes. You’ll be walking up and down very steep metal staircases on the ships, and any other type of footwear could lead to injury.
• This is not a rainy day activity. Although portions of the tours are inside the ships, you’ll spend a great deal outside getting there, to begin with.
• Bring your own food and have a picnic! There are a couple of tables at the edge of the parking lot.
• Food is not allowed on the ships, but you can bring your own water, and I highly recommend it. Air conditioning is not available on the self-guided tours, and the ship’s bowels tend to get hot in the summer months.
• Visit the USS Yorktown first since that is where you’ll spend most of your time.

5 Responses

Is this where we would park to catch the ferry to Ft Sumter? Also, did I miss it or is there a link to a map of the entire grounds? Well written piece! Thanks!

Yes, you can park at Patriots Point and ride the boat to Fort Sumter. And you get a really great look at the USS Yorktown from the tour boat! I don’t have a link to the map but I believe there is one on the Patriots Point website. Have fun!

Enjoyed the info you presented here. We will take your advice! Thanks!

You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy your visit.

Excellent! So helpful, thanks!

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Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

Price & Hours

• Facilities 3.0
• Atmosphere 4.0

Opened in 1976, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum serves to educate visitors on war history. The USS Yorktown aircraft carrier – which was used by the United States Navy in World War II, then again in the Vietnam War – sits in the harbor as the attraction's centerpiece. Other notable artifacts and exhibits at this Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, museum include two historic ships, a Medal of Honor Museum, 28 aircraft and a 2.5-acre "Vietnam Experience," which recreates a Navy base complete with a mess hall, a fire control bunker and a river patrol boat to simulate what it was like for soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Recent travelers said visiting Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum was both educational and fun. They said American history buffs will love seeing the warships, submarines and aircraft, and many highly recommended taking the captain's tour aboard the USS Yorktown for a more in-depth experience. Almost all visitors agreed the attraction was worth the cost of admission. 

The museum welcomes visitors year-round, but times vary seasonally. From March to early September, you can visit daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. From early September to February, you can visit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Last entry is 60 to 90 minutes before closing, depending on the season. Special holiday hours apply, so be sure to check the attraction's website before planning your visit. 

Admission for visitors ages 12 and older costs $27 per person. Kids ages 6 to 11 can enter for $16, while children younger than 6 can visit for free. Senior citizens, active duty military, veterans, teachers and first responders can all enter for discounted rates – though active members of the military dressed in uniform receive complimentary admission. Visitors can reach the museum by car or by the Charleston Water Taxi (available seasonally). A gift shop, snacks and on-site parking ($5 per car per day) are available. Head to the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum website to learn more.  

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#1 The Battery

Many travelers say you can't leave Charleston without strolling this historic seawall along the city's southern tip, which they call both beautiful and what makes Charleston special. Across the street from the waterfront promenade is Rainbow Row . This clutch of Georgian-style row houses overlooking Charleston Harbor was formerly the heart and soul of the city's merchant and maritime activity. Today, the 13 brightly colored homes attract camera-toting tourists from all over the country.

As you explore this picturesque neighborhood, save time for a break beneath the old live oaks in nearby White Point Garden where several Civil War relics and memorials commemorate the city's role in the battle. Start your tour of the Battery at the 8-acre Waterfront Park (home to the giant pineapple fountain featured on many Charleston postcards), then follow the walking paths on East Battery Street for the nearly mile-long stroll to White Point Garden.

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• 843-886-4753
• USS Yorktown Tours

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Touring the USS Yorktown Charleston aircraft carrier is a great way to spend a day in the Charleston area. This historical battleship played an important role during World War II and has now settled in the waters of Patriots Point as a museum ship. You can hop aboard for a trip through U.S. Navy and Charleston history. History lovers, military buffs, and those interested in boats and ships will all be happy to get the chance to explore this unique sightseeing attraction, located just a few miles away from your Exclusive Properties vacation rental—eight and a half miles to be exact! You can even rent a taxi or other form of transportation if you feel uncomfortable making the drive yourself, which is yet another advantage to staying in one of our vacation homes; they are close to everything!

The USS Yorktown was the tenth aircraft carrier to serve in the U.S. Navy, originally commissioned on April 15, 1943 after only 16 ½ months of construction. The amazing workmanship that was put into the carrier was in part because of the demand for an offensive in the Pacific during World War II. USS Yorktown would go on to earn 11 battle stars for its service. After surviving World War II unscathed, this massive aircraft carrier continued its winning service, earning five of its previously mentioned 11 battle stars in Vietnam. Perhaps, most famously, the USS Yorktown recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts and capsule in December of 1968. This was an important mission for the NASA program, as it was only the second manned spaceflight in American history. The USS Yorktown would then be decommissioned and put on battle reserve two years later, in 1970 Ever since 1975, the ship has been in Charleston as the centerpiece of the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, where thousands of tourists a year trod upon the historic decks, learning its stories as they marvel at all that had been accomplished before being decommissioned. The USS Yorktown has traveled many miles over the years, fought many battles, and now it’s time for it to rest on its laurels.

Basic Tours

Admission for tours of Patriots Point includes access to USS Yorktown , the USS Laffey destroyer ship, and the USS Clamagore submarine. Adult (12 or older) tickets cost $22 each, senior tickets are $17, children aged 6 to 11 are $14, and children under six are admitted for free. Additionally, tickets for those with a military ID will cost $17, and those dressed in uniform are admitted free. We in South Carolina salute those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom; how could we even think of charging for their admission? The USS Yorktown tour includes an exhibit based around the Apollo spacecraft. You’ll be able to take a ride to the moon as you listen to the actual radio communications and watch video of the Apollo’s landing, reliving that exciting, yet frightening time period in American history. You may even find yourself biting your nails in fear that the astronauts won’t make it home, even though you obviously know they did!

Ghost Tours

Looking for a history lesson and a scare at the same time? The USS Yorktown in Charleston SC is known as one of the most haunted ships in the country and ranks number three on the list of most haunted places in all South Carolina as well. As a result, there are now nighttime ghost tours offered aboard “The Fighting Lady.” These tours aren’t for the timid, as you’ll learn about all the strange activity and ghoulish behavior that has been witnessed on the USS Yorktown since the ship was put out of commission. Earning a starring role on the Syfy Channel’s Ghost Hunters, the heroes who served aboard this powerful aircraft carrier still try to be heard decades after their untimely deaths. You might even feel a chill down your spine and encounter your own paranormal experience. USS Yorktown Tours are offered nightly, but depend on the season. Prospective visitors should book a trip ahead on YorkTownGhostTours.com . Prices start at $25 for this 90-minute tour. For more on Isle of Palms attractions / events :

• Southeastern Wildlife Expo
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USS Yorktown Ghost Tour with Exclusive Night-Time Access

• 90-Minute Guided Ghost Tour aboard the USS Yorktown
• Exclusive After Dark Access to the USS Yorktown for a unique experience
• Explore areas of the ship that are closed to the public, including access to the flight deck
• Learn about maritime superstitions and hear stories of mysterious sailor disappearances
• Hear stories of the sacrifice and heroism of the people that once inhabited this ship
• Entry/Admission - Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
• Guaranteed to skip the lines
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• Tours do run rain or shine. The USS Yorktown is not climate controlled. It is hot in the Summer and cold in the Winter. Please dress accordingly and wear closed-toed, comfortable shoes. There is a good amount of walking and lots of narrow stairways to navigate up and down and throughout the tour. There are also ladders used that are not easy to navigate for one having trouble walking.
• **Please note the tour is not handicapped accessible.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

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USS Yorktown Ghost Tour with Exclusive Night-Time Access provided by Bulldog Tours

New Guided Tour Aboard USS Yorktown to Unveil Captain’s Quarters

by Holy City Sinner

September 2, 2020

Press Release

Beginning Labor Day weekend (September 4, 2020), Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum has partnered with Bulldog Tours to offer a new guided tour aboard the historic aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. The new tour entitled “Captain's Tour: Exclusive Access and Insights to the Ship and Crew” will lead visitors to areas of the ship that have been off-tour for more than a decade.

In addition to the Flight and Hangar Decks, tour-goers will have the exclusive ability to climb aboard a recently restored B-25 plane, see the Yorktown's fo'c'sle (anchor room), and step into the Captain's Quarters.

Building on the success that Bulldog Tours and Patriots Point have experienced with the nighttime ghost tours aboard the aircraft carrier which launched in April 2019, the team worked to extend the partnership to include a daytime history tour option.

“Bulldog Tours is the best when it comes to creating a memorable tour experience,” said Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum Executive Director Larry Murray. “The ghost tours have been extremely popular because they include stories along with the facts. That's what this new day-time offering will also include – a first-rate, exclusive experience for visitors who are interested in aircraft carrier operations.”

The Captain's Tour is a new reason for families to come back to visit Patriots Point. The public has never had access inside the museum's B-25 Mitchell Bomber. For more than two decades, the plane was suspended in the air so that visitors could only view it from the deck. In 2019, the aircraft was completely restored to resemble the planes used in the 1942 raid on Japan. The raid was a response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, and is known as the Doolittle Raid.

“The stories of heroism and bravery that are associated with the raid and this plane are a privilege to share,” said Bulldog Tours owner John LaVerne. “The Yorktown has a great deal to teach South Carolina's residents and visitors alike. It's an honor for Bulldog Tours to bring the ship to life in this way.”

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is open every day from 9 am to 6:30 pm. Guided tours of the USS Yorktown are Friday through Sunday at 10 a.m. and noon. The combined cost of the tours and admission is $39 for adults, $29 children, seniors $34. For military veterans and active duty, teachers, and first responders the tour is $36. Advanced tickets are available at BulldogTours.com and walk-up tickets are available at the museum ticket window.

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USS Yorktown Harbor Tour

One of the most predominate sites on our tour is the USS Yorktown (CV-10) . The Yorktown is located at Patriot’s Point In Mt. Pleasant just over the Ravenel bridge from downtown Charleston. Patriot’s Point is a museum of several ships including a Vietnam camp replica. For anyone that likes history, ships, old things or just likes to marvel at what humans can accomplish without the use of computers this is a must see while in Charleston.

CV-10 or Carrier Vessel is an Essex-class carrier that was built in 1941 and commissioned in 1943. CV-10 was originally named Bonhomme Richard it was renamed Yorktown during construction to commemorate CV-5, also named the Yorktown. CV-5 was sunk in 1942 during the Battle of Midway.

Yorktown (CV-5) prepares to get under way from NAS San Diego (June 1940)

CV-5 Yorktown was the lead ship of the Yorktown class. She was a straight deck carrier and was designed and built in 1943 in Newport News Virginia , after lessons learned in the Lexington class converted battlecruisers. She was launched in 1936 and after many sea trials, fitting out, and war exercises Yorktown headed to the Pacific fleet in 1939.

The US enters the war after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 killing over 2,400 Americans and sinking or damaging 16 ships and 250 aircraft. CV-6 was damaged during the battle of the Cora Sea and arrived back in Pearl Harbor for repairs in May. She was minimally repaired and ready to head to sea to meet up with the Pacific Fleet Northeast of Midway. During this time after attacking several Japanese ships a raid on the Yorktown insured. The Yorktown and its planes fought off much on the incoming attack but 3 planes were able to hit the Yorktown. Just hours later after they had controlled all the burning and got the boilers running again the radar picked up another attack. This time The Yorktown was not so lucky and was fatally wonded. She had lost all power and had a jammed rudder and was dead in the water with a list to the port side. The ship was abandoned and was hit again by Japanese subs during a salvage operation. By June 7,1942 the damage was to much for the Yorktown and rolled upside-down and sank.

Smoke pours from Yorktown after being hit in the boilers by Japanese dive bombers at Midway

The Yorktown CV-10 left Pearl Harbor on August 22,1943 for its first missions of the war just off Marcus Island . CV-10 also ran missions on Wake Island . Several months later it participated in it first major assault on the Gilbert Islands, Tarawa, Abemama and Makin. For the next year it participated in raids from Marianas to New Guinea and even on the main land Japan. In June it was making air strikes on Guam to prevent the Japanese from launching their planes. It then returned to Pearl Harbor for more air training operations.

In 1944 in January it left Pearl Harbor to assist in operation Flintlock, the invasion of the Marshall Islands. The York town the Lexington and the Cowpens began air strikes on the Maloelap Atoll at about 5:20 am the morning of January 29. It also struck Majuro and Kwajalein to soften up the target so the troops could make landfall on the 31 of January.

For the next several months Yorktown was part of many raids thought the Atolls including strikes on Truk, a Japanese anchorage and installations on Saipan . In April it joined General MacArthur’s assault on Jayapura and Wakde-Sarmi north of New Guinea. From there they moved back to Turk Lagoon for another 2 day raid. After they returned once again to Pearl Harbor for training operations in the Hawaiian Islands.

In June it headed back out to prepare for the invasion of Saipan and concentrated its efforts on the Japanese airfields airfields on Guam . During the battle of the Philippine Sea The Yorktown tock down 37 enemy planes and dropped 21 tons of bombs on the Guam airbase. Yorktown also laid strikes on the Japanese fleet and hit the Zuikaku although did not sink it. Also later conducted raids on Pagan Island and Iwo Jima.

On July 31 it arrived in the Puget Sound Navy Yard for a two month over haul and repairs. After it rejoined the fleet and conducted operations in the Philippines to support the Leyte Invasion. In December it helped in a rescue of three destroyers that sank in a typhoon .

In 1945 Yorktown rejoined Task Force 38 and was tasked with striking targets in Formosa and the Philippines. From there it moved on to the Japanese inner defenses. Yorktown spent time in Saigon and DaNang sinking 44 ships before moving on to Okinawa.

By March Yorktown was off Japan to start strikes on airfields on the mainland and was soon under attack by 2 bomber planes the first one was hit and crashed off the bow. The second went down several minutes later and no damage to the Yorktown was reported. But the end of March it was solely concentrating on its efforts in Okinawa and for 6 weeks ran support for the troops ashore.

In Mid July she was off the coast of Japan launching strikes on Tokyo. Much of July was spent in this area running raids, refusing and replenishing as well as attacking the navy base of Yokosuka and installations around the Kure navy base. Several typhoon were in the area that hindered operations instill about August.

By mid August peace negotiations were going on and Yorktown and the rest of the TF 58 held tight off the waters of Japan waiting for instructions. She headed just off of Honshu to provide coverage for the forces that were occupying Japan until the surrender on board the Battleship Missouri .

At the end of the war Yorktown went to San Francisco to unload passages from the war and, continued on to Hunters Point Navy Yard for minor repairs. Repairs complete she headed back out to Guam to pick up more soldiers to return home. She did this several time before heading to Washington State where she was placed in reserve and remained there for the end of the year. In January 1947 Yorktown was decommissioned and was part of the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

In 1952 she was reactivated by 1953 it was converted to an attack carrier (CVA) and was patrolling the West coast. In August it joined TF 77 in the Sea of Japan and by this time a armistice had been sign two months earlier and Yorktown conducted training missions in the area. Yorktown was used as the platform for the movie Jet Carrier an Academy Award nominated film.

After making a few more calls to Hong Kong and the Aachen Islands it returned home and was placed in reserve while still in commission and receiving extensive modifications in eluding an angled flight deck . At the end of modifications she was placed back in full commission and resumed normal operations along the West coast with the 7th Fleet.

In 1957 Yorktown’s home port was transferred to Long Beach California and reclassified as an antisubmarine warfare aircraft carrier.(ASW) More modifications were made at this time for the new CVS-10 classification in the Puget Sound Navy Shipyard. After renovations Yorktown resumed normal operations along the West coast until about November of that year when she did a tour of duty in the Western Pacific. During the deployment Yorktown qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal three times.

Yorktown once again entered the shipyard in January 1961 and returned to Long Beach at the end of January and resumed normal west coast operations until the end of July where it set back out for the Far East. This tour lasted until March of 1962 and went back to west coast operations.

In 1964-65 Yorktown was deployed for the Vietnam War in support of the American involvement in the crisis. Yorktown was a dominate force in the Vietnam conflict for 7 months supporting land based operations in the region.

in 1967 in went in for a 7 month overhaul and completed repairs in early October and resumed normal west coast operations till the end of 1967. In December it set out for its last touring the Western Pacific where it provided AWS and SAR support in the wake of the North Korean capture of Pueblo.

Yorktown was also the platform for the filming of the movie Tora! Tora! Tora!, the tale of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. 

In December 1968 she was one of the recovery ships for the Apollo 8 space module. in 1969 she rounded South America to meet up with the Atlantic Fleet and her new home port of Norfolk, Virginia.

Durning the early part of 1970 Yorktown was decommissioned in Philadelphia and berthed with the Atlantic reserve fleet. She was there almost three years before she was taken off the Navy list and in 1974 was donated to the Patriot’s Point Development Authority. Yorktown was towed from New Jersey to Charleston in 1975.

Yorktown still sits at Patriot’s Point today along side the USS Laffey a Cold war Submarine and a Vietnam base camp.

Want to learn more about the history of Charleston?

About The Author

Captain Dave Gugliotti holds a 200 ton USCG Master License, teaches boat handling, and close quarter maneuvering. He is both a NASBLA and Safe Boating Council certified instructor for both in classroom and on the water training. He has been the winner of the Post and Courier Charleston Choice award for five years running and loves being out on the water.

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Historic Fort Sumter Tours & Boat Cruises

Explore a National Historical Park!

Book Your Tour

Explore. Discover. Learn.

Fort Sumter is where the bloodiest war in the history of the United States began. It’s a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Charleston, South Carolina. Fort Sumter Tours is the authorized concessioner offering the only boat service to and from Fort Sumter that actually docks at the Fort.

Walk Where the Civil War Started

Your $37  Adventure Includes

Tour Fort Sumter

Stand where America’s deadliest war began. The first shots of the Civil War were fired upon Fort Sumter.

Learn How the War Began

Explore the exhibits at the Fort Sumter Visitor Center to understand how the Civil War started.

Package your Fort Sumter tour with other historic sites and tours for a greater understanding of our nations's history.

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The Fort Sumter Experience Then and Now

Board your tour boat from either downtown Charleston or Mount Pleasant and get ready for a scenic ride through the historic harbor. Soak up the Southern sights. Marvel at the landmarks.

Then, arrive at Fort Sumter for a self-guided tour covering one of the most pivotal times in American history. After exploring this national park, you’ll go home changed. You walked the grounds and read the accounts of those who played a role in the Civil War, the most divisive conflict in American history.

See Even More On Your Charleston Vacation

Maximize your time in Charleston and learn even more about our city’s rich history. Join with our trusted partners for additional tours and attractions.

Save money when you combine tours and book these exclusive offers online!

USS Yorktown & Fort Sumter Tour

Tour Fort Sumter and walk in the footsteps of heroes.

Charleston Strolls & Fort Sumter Tour

Tour Fort Sumter and book a two-hour walking tour of downtown Charleston.

Gray Line City Tour & Fort Sumter Tour

Tour Fort Sumter and then get a citywide tour from the comfort of a climate-controlled bus.

Boone Hall Plantation & Fort Sumter Tour

Tour Fort Sumter and experience 300 years of plantation history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Departure Time?

Cancellation Policy?

How Long Does The Tour Last?

Where Are The Departure Points?

Where Can I Buy a Ticket?

Accessibility

Liberty square – downtown charleston.

• Jan 2 – Feb 29 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
• Mar 1 – Mar 22 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
• Mar 23 – April 7 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:30 & 4:15 p.m.
• April 8 – May 23 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. & 2:30.
• May 24 – May 26 9:00 a.m.,12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 4:15 p.m.
• May 27 – July 3 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
• July 4 – July 7 9:00 a.m.,12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 4:15 p.m.
• July 8 – Aug 29 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
• Aug 30 – Sept 1 9:00 a.m.,12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 4:15 p.m.
• Sept 2 – Nov 30 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
• Dec 1 – Dec 24 11:00 am & 2:00 p.m.
• Dec 26 – Dec 31 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
• Thanksgiving, Dec 25 & Jan 1 No Tours Available

Patriots Point – Mt. Pleasant

• Jan 2 – Feb 29 12:30 p.m.
• Mar 1 – Mar 22 10:30 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.
• Mar 23 – April 7  10:30 am, 1:15 p.m. & 3:45 p.m.
• April 8 – May 23 10:30 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.
• May 24 – May 26 10:30 am, 1:15 p.m. & 3:45 p.m.
• May 27 – July 3 10:30 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.
• July 4 – July 7 10:30 am, 1:15 p.m. & 3:45 p.m.
• July 8 – Aug 29 10:30 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.
• Aug 30 – Sept 1 10:30 am, 1:15 p.m. & 3:45 p.m.
• Sept 2 – Nov 30 10:30 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.
• Dec 1  – Dec 24 12:30 p.m.
• Dec 26 – Dec 31 10:30 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.

Daytime Tours:

Fort Sumter Tours tickets are 100% refundable if cancelled 2 hours in advance of the departure time. If tickets are cancelled less than 2 hours from
departure time they are non-refundable. Fort Sumter Tours will cruise in most weather conditions all-year round. Time on the Fort may be impacted by weather at the discretion of the National Park Service.

Sunset At Fort Sumter Cruises:

Cancellations with refunds accepted up to 24-hours in-advance.

The total tour time is 2 1/4 hours with about 1 hour spent on the fort.  Please note the 9:00 am trip to Fort Sumter offers 75 minutes at the fort and the remaining trips of the day allow for 60 minutes.

Downtown Charleston

Fort Sumter Visitor Center, 340 Concord St. Charleston, SC 29401

Mt. Pleasant

Patriots Point 40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Book online or visit either departure point (based on availability).

Privacy Policy

Ramps used to access the ferry can vary based on tides and adverse conditions. Therefore, the ferry departing from downtown Charleston or Patriots Point is not always fully accessible. To ensure your visit will be fully accessible, we recommend contacting Fort Sumter Tours on the day of your visit at 843-722-2628.

Please note that copies of the vessel’s narration are available to visitors with hearing impairments. Braille copies of the park’s brochure are available to individuals with sight impairments.

There is no elevator service at Fort Sumter.

The museum, museum bookstore and top level of Fort Sumter are only accessible by climbing stairs.  Visit the National Park Service’s page on accessibility  to learn more or call  843-883-3123 .

Still Have Questions?

This is a charleston tour to talk about.

Very informative tour of one of our country's most important landmarks. The guide was so knowledgeable and made the Fort come alive. Highly recommend!

Jim Famulare

Fantastic tour and very informative presentation at the flag pole during the lowering of the flag. We saw dolphins and pelicans and the Jr. Ranger program for kids is great.

Katie Whitestone

Wonderful experience! They really treat you well and can learn a lot of history too.

Craig Cocoz

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Check out our new combo tour with Palmetto Carriage Works !

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Uss yorktown.

Located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, the USS Yorktown  (CV-10), the second Essex class carrier built by the United States, was commissioned on April 15, 1943. As early as 1910, the U.S. Navy recognized the potential value that flight would have in naval operations. Although naval aviation was utilized during World War I, aircraft assigned to warships generally provided only reconnaissance support for the fleet. The possibility of using airplanes as a naval strike weapon did not begin until the 1920s when aircraft capable of performing heavy bombardment against land or sea targets were built. Naval vessels capable of carrying several squadrons of such aircraft were developed concurrently. Thus the first eight carriers constructed by the U.S. Navy varied in size, speed, protection and aircraft complement in order to provide the greatest number of carriers capable of launching the greatest number of air strikes, yet still comply with treaty-imposed tonnage restrictions.  Essex  (CV-9), the ninth U.S. carrier authorized, was a product of these earlier designs.

A total of 26 Esssex-class carriers were ordered by the U.S. Navy between February 1940 and June 1943 and 24 were completed. This was the largest class of carriers ever built by the United States and over half, including USS  Yorktown  (CV-10), served as part of the Pacific Fleet during World War II. World War II and the carrier campaigns of the Pacific firmly established the role of aviation within naval operations and the aircraft carrier replaced the battleship as the Navy's primary strike weapon. Serving as mobile air bases, carriers could maneuver aircraft around the open waters and scattered island chains of the Pacific. By employing a combination of scouting, fighter or bomber aircraft to control the enemy's air power, groups of carriers, screened by surface ships, could open the way for island invasions, cover and support amphibious operations, and help to hold the conquered areas. Thus carriers became an integral compound of nearly every campaign throughout the Pacific War. With aircraft that extended the fleet's firepower beyond the range of large caliber battleship guns, the carrier's status was elevated from reconnaissance platform to that of major surface combatant.

Named for the CV-5 aircraft carrier that was sunk during the Battle of Midway, the new USS  Yorktown had a distinguished war record, receiving 11 battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation for its World War II services. During World War II, the USS Yorktown  fought against the Japanese for more than two years, inflicting heavy damage on the Japanese at Truk and the Marianas, helping sink the largest battleship ever built, the Imperial Japanese Navy's Yamato  and supporting American ground troops in the Philippines, at Iwo Jima and at Okinawa. The USS  Yorktown  was converted for jet use in 1955 with the addition of a new angled flight deck, hurricane bow and flight deck. It then served as an anti-submarine carrier in Vietnam. In 1968 the Essex class carrier was used to recover the crew of Apollo 8, the first manned mission to orbit the moon. Before being decommissioned in 1970, the USS  Yorktown  had a notable career in the service of the United States. Visit the National Park Service  Travel American Aviation   to learn more about  Aviation related Historic Sites.

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Last updated: August 22, 2017

USS Yorktown near Midway Atoll NWR

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Ocean Exploration Trust at Nautilus Live, NOAA/NOAA

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USS Yorktown and Laffey begins Medal of Honor recipient celebrations

M OUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD)- The Medal of Honor is the highest honor a member of the military can be awarded, and starting Sunday morning, the community is honoring the recipients on the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey.

There are just over 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients nationwide, since US history.

“Something about those individuals, who go beyond the extraordinary of what humans do,” Veteran and author, Michael Evers said.

Evers is a retired military member and spent 4 years writing a book about a Medal of Honor recipient Jon Cavaiani, called “A Wolf Remembered”.

“Whenever he went into the army, he did what he believed. He was very precise. He believed in his faith, he believed in his country and it revealed itself in the way he handled himself,” Evers said.

Evers Says he was enamored with the sacrifice Cavaiani made for the US and even has his Medal of Honor coin.

For soldiers like Cavaiani, we celebrate Medal of Honor Day.

“We like to say we should never forget. They don’t really teach much in schools anymore about the wars, and it’s so important. This is our ancestry,” USS Yorktown volunteer, Alan Bolduc said.

Sunday, volunteers like Bolduc gave history lessons about Medal of Honor recipients connected to the Yorktown and USS Laffey.

Monday morning a ceremony will be held to honor all the soldiers with a Medal of Honor, for Medal of Honor Day.

Bolduc says he hopes people will take the time to learn the history and legacies of these soldiers.

“It’s very important, like any other museums to memorialize what went on and try and educate people and keep the story going,” Bolduc said.

The Medal of Honor ceremony will begin at 9:30 Monday morning, aboard the USS Yorktown.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.

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US coalition ship shoots down Houthi missile after lull in attacks

A warship in the U.S.-led coalition that defends shipping in Middle Eastern waters shot down a missile Wednesday, defending against the latest attack by the Houthi militant group that comes after a recent lull in the assaults.

The coalition vessel engaged one anti-ship ballistic missile over the Gulf of Aden that was launched by the Iran-backed group from Yemen, according to U.S. Central Command , which oversees operations in the region. There were no injuries or damage reported. Later in the day, U.S. forces also destroyed four aerial drones, it said, in Yemen.

The incident marks the end of a week-long absence of Houthi attacks confirmed by CENTCOM, one of the longest pauses in incidents launched by the Yemen-based group since their campaign of assaults against commercial and military ships began in the fall.

All the Houthi-US Navy incidents in the Middle East (that we know of)

A non-exhaustive, running list of houthi attacks in the middle east and the u.s. strikes back at them..

The latest missile “likely” targeted the American commercial ship M/V Yorktown, according to CENTCOM, which said a similar incident occurred earlier this month with the same merchant ship that led the Navy destroyer Mason to take action against an incoming missile.

Also this week, the Navy announced it is authorizing combat awards for sailors serving in the Red Sea area.

As to what led to the latest lack of aggression by the Houthis, experts told Military Times a few possibilities may explain, including deterrence by American air defense systems, a need by the militants to restock a dwindling arsenal and or the recent historic military escalation between Iran and Israel .

“Maybe they’re not able to replace their weapons as fast because the Iranians have their hands full elsewhere,” said Brent Sadler of the Heritage Foundation, who noted the Houthis are likely not done attempting attacks and encouraged President Joe Biden’s administration to provide a greater number of updates on the unfolding events in the Middle East.

James Holmes, a former surface warfare officer and director of maritime strategy at the Naval War College, told Military Times in a statement it may be that Tehran prevailed on the Houthi leadership to stand down rather than risk further havoc, which could escalate an already tense situation.

“I seriously doubt Iran has given up on its aims vis-a-vis Israel,” he said. “But it would not be outlandish to speculate that the leadership has decided a tactical pause is in its interests.”

Bradley Martin, a senior researcher at RAND Corp. and a retired surface warfare officer, concurred that the pause could be related to Iran potentially discouraging proxies from doing things directly provocative to the U.S. But, whether another brief respite, or a sustained stoppage, of the skirmishes in the Middle Eastern waters occurs remains to be seen.

“We will not speculate on any potential or future Houthi actions in the Red Sea region,” a defense official told Military Times this week.

Jonathan is a staff writer and editor of the Early Bird Brief newsletter for Military Times. Follow him on Twitter @lehrfeld_media

In Other News

Ike aircraft carrier leaves Middle East, enters the Mediterranean Sea

The aircraft carrier dwight d. eisenhower has been operating in the middle eastern waters of u.s. central command since november..

Corps IDs Marine who died in California ‘aviation ground mishap’

Cpl. miguel maya, a u/ah-1 aircraft avionics technician, died “as a result of an aviation ground mishap,” the 3rd marine aircraft wing said..

First T-54A trainer arrives at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi

The navy will use the t-54a aircraft to train aviators flying the p-8a poseidon, e-2d hawkeye and c-130 hercules..

Advocates urge Austin to act on active duty obesity ‘epidemic’

A new letter urges defense leaders to do more to prevent, identify and treat obesity in the ranks..

The Coast Guard’s only Medal of Honor recipient died rescuing Marines

When asked if he could go back and extract the overwhelmed marines from guadalcanal, the 22-year-old munro reportedly gave a confident, “hell, yeah”.