The world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Enterprise sailed into the Bay of Palma yesterday and this time there was no flotilla of protesters trying to block her path - its visit has been kept top secret. Last October, when the U.S.S. Washington visited Palma, a small fleet of Greenpeace protesters blocked her entrance to the Bay of Palma for six hours. Also a protest against the presence of a nuclear powered warship in Majorcan waters was held in Palma - with the full support of a handful of local left wing politicians including the leader of the local government, Francesc Antich. However, yesterday the Enterprise received a warm welcome, and this time local businesses will be pleased that it should be business as usual for the big spending crewmen and women. The carrier, launched on September 24, 1961, will remain off Palma until Monday. Her visit coincides with this weekend's 200th anniversary commemorations of the First Admiral of the U.S. Fleet, Minorca's illustrious sailor David Glasgow Ferragut, in Mahon, which will be attended by the new U.S. Ambassador to Spain and the head of U.S naval operations.
Surprise!