The Catastrophes Experienced in the Modern World Essay

The Catastrophes Experienced in the Modern World - Essay Example Some human actions have played a role in creating global warming and escalating the calamity in the world. The primary cause of global warming is the greenhouse effect. Upon reaching the surface of the earth, an amount of sunlight is absorbed, while the rest radiates back to the atmosphere (Balachandran 107). The sun that radiates to the atmosphere does so at a longer wavelength, with some wavelengths being absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Some of the heat energy that would be lost to space is reflected the earth’s surface by the greenhouse gases. Thus, the decisions of human beings to adopt the widespread use of greenhouses have significantly contributed to the escalation of global warming. The increase in global warming can be attributed to high incidences involving the use of greenhouse gases (Atwood 15). The emission of carbon dioxide also causes global warming; burning of fuels plays a role in escalating the incidences of global warming all over the world. Fuels such as diesel, natural gas, petrol, oil, organic diesel, and organic petrol mainly contributed to global warming and overall environmental degradation. Industries emit harmful carbon dioxide gas to the environment, causing massive destruction of the environment. When carbon dioxide is released to the environment, it remains in the atmosphere for as long as 100 to 200 years. The increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the environment creates a rise in earth’s temperature. Another factor responsible for the rise in global warming is the increased pollution caused by the clearing of vegetation cover. Human beings invade forests and clear vegetation and trees in order to settle.

Scarlet Letter Literary Paper Essay Example for Free

Scarlet Letter Literary Paper Essay The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, written in 1850, is a product of the literary struggle between Classicism and Romanticism. Classicism is based upon writing in a traditional tone that involves no emotion, while Romanticism is the idea of letting emotion flow through literary outlets, such as a novel. This struggle is plainly embodied in the character of Hester Prynne, who must contain her passionate personality to the guidelines placed before her in a strict Puritan society. Within a Puritan society, committing a sin is viewed as the worst possible thing one could do and one must be punished accordingly for it. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne turned back to the age of his first American ancestor for a historical background against which to display a tragic drama of guiltrevealed and concealed, real and imaginedand its effects on those touched by the guilt (Dictionary of Literary Biography, 3). Guilt is a strong after-effect of sin within The Scarlet Letter. The consequences and effects of sin are different to every person who commits one. The novel, The Scarlet Letter opens as the narrator states that Hester Prynne and the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale have committed adultery and that Hester has borne a child named Pearl. Hester is punished publicly for her sin of adultery by the placing of a scarlet letter on her breast and public humiliation, while Dimmesdale does not confess to the sin and is spared public scorning for it. Instead, Dimmesdale must seek inner redemption through physical beatings and praying, with little success. Hawthorne utilizes his novel to trace the less visible, long-range effects of a sin such as adultery, in the harsh setting of Puritan society through Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth, and Hester Prynne in order to illustrate how an obsession with vengeance or a devotion to atonement can destroy a persons spirit or personality. Through the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Hawthorne shows that man can decrease his spiritual worth through his devotion to atonement. Reverend Dimmesdale originally sees himself as a holy, righteous man of the Lord, but quickly begins to rethink his position in the Puritan society after he commits the sin of adultery and then publicly denies it. Dimmesdales view of his spiritual worth decreases when he notices that his actions have lead  to Hester facing public ridicule through her punishment, that she should stand a certain time upon the platform (63). While Hesters punishment exposes her to embarrassment in front of the entire community, Dimmesdales part in the sin is hidden from society to stew within his mind. The platform of pillory (62) that Hester is placed upon exposes her to the glaring eyes of Puritan society, leaving cowardly Dimmesdale to deny his part in the sin of adultery. Obvious to the Puritan society, Hester did not commit her sin alone, for she could not conceive a child without a male, but there is no way to expose the father. Another result of Dimmesdale keeping his sin to himself is leaving Hester open to the gossip of the well-to-do women in town. One woman decides that At the very least, they should have put the brand of a hot iron on Hester Prynnes forehead (59), and another woman states that Hester has brought shame upon all and ought to die (59). While Hester is being ridiculed on the scaffold, Dimmesdale screams to her that [He] charge[s] thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer (73) even though he knows in his heart that he is the fellow-sinner of Hester Prynne. In questioning Hester on her partner in adultery, he is once again lowering his spiritual worth by adding hypocrisy to his sin. Dimmesdale then makes Hester even more isolated in her sin of adultery by forcing Reverend Wilson to give a discourse on sin, in all its branches, with continual reference to the ignominious [scarlet] letter (74). His speech is so powerful that it causes Hesters scarlet letter to [assume new terrors in [the puritan societys] imagination, and it seemed to derive its scarlet hue from the flames of the infernal pit (74). Dimmesdale once again diminishes himself by not daring to show himself to Hester leaving her lonelyand without a friend on earth who dared to show himself (85). After Reverend Wilsons speech, Dimmesdale begins to try to improve his spiritual worth. He continues to ignore Hester but tries to help her in life. One day when she goes to the governors house to give him a pair of gloves she sewed for him, the governor tries to take Pearl, Hesters child and tells her my poor woman, the child shall be well cared for! Far better than thou canst do it (112). Hester cries out in terror and screams for Dimmesdale to speak thou for [her] (112), and Dimmesdale finally shows some spiritual improvement by telling the Governor that there is truth in what she says, and in the feeling which inspires her! God gave her the  child, and gave her, too, an instinctive knowledge of its nature and requirementsboth seemingly so peculiarwhich no other mortal being can possess. And, moreover, is there not a quality of awful sacredness in the relation between this mother and this child? (113). Dimmesdale tries to deal with the guilt of his sin by helping Hester. When he shows the Governor how much Hester needs her child, and her child needs her, he feels like he is finally doing something to help alleviate a little bit of his guilt. Reverend Dimmesdale begins to take responsibility for his actions when he defends Hester, but he still remains incapable of public confession. Because of this, Dimmesdale continues to physically punish himself his entire life through fasting and self-hatred. Chillingworth is introduced in The Scarlet Letter as being morally superior to Hester and Dimmesdale because he has not committed the sin of adultery. However, unlike Dimmesdale and Hester, Chillingworth does not work to further his spiritual worth, but instead he chooses to commit sin, perhaps leading to his ultimate demise. When Chillingworth arrives at Hesters public shaming on the scaffold he does not share in the societys anger at her because of her sin, and appears to sympathize with her. Chillingworth views himself as one of the causes for Hesters sin of adultery and make statements such as it was my folly (77) and mine was the first wrong (79). Chillingworth blames himself for Hesters adultery because he feels he betrayed thy budding youth into false and unnatural relation with my decay (80). Puritan society also views Chillingworth as a positive influence on the community because he brings a physicians frankly offered skill (70) to the society. However, the plot soon reveals that Chillingworth is not in the community for good, he is there to destroy Dimmesdale. Chillingworth has no intentions to harm Hester, however, and tells her Even if I imagine a scheme of vengeance, what I could do better for my object than to let thee liveso that this burning shame may still blaze upon thy bosom? (78). Chillingworth avenges Hesters sin by letting her live and forcing her to go on with her shame. The consequence of sin upon Chillingworth is not a consequence of his own sin, but of the joint sin of Hester and Dimmesdale. At first, the reader cannot tell Chillingworths true intentions but Hester soon draws the conclusion that Chillingworths acts are like mercy, bit his  words interpret thee as a terror (81). She even goes as far as to describe him as the Black Man that haunts the forest (82). Chillingworth begins to act immorally, reducing his spiritual worth just like Dimmesdale. Chillingworths obsession commences with his unrelenting search for Hesters fellow sinner. This unhealthy search, not only deteriorates Chillingworths moral status within the novel, his inner sin begins to show itself in his outward appearance. Hester remarks, how his dark complexion seemed to have grown duskier(113). Hester also states that, his figure appeared more misshapen (113) than she remembered it from the years they lived together as husband and wife. The deterioration of his physical appearance shows the sin that is taking over his body and soul. Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter a drastic change comes over Chillingworths character. Chillingworth ends the novel as a man obsessed with nothing other than vengeance upon those have committed sin against him. Within a Puritan society, committing a sin is viewed as the worst possible thing one could do and one must be punished accordingly for it. In The Scarlet Letter the sin of adultery not only affects the committers of the sin, Dimmesdale and Hester, but also Chillingworth, Hesters husband. The consequences and effects of sin are different to every person who commits one. Hester grows wiser from her sin, and becomes a better person, Dimmesdale slowly destroys himself, and Chillingworth becomes bent on revenge and eventually is the cause of his own demise.

Strong Women in James Joyces Eveline, Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House, and Speras My Ex-Husband :: Joyce Eveline Ibsen Dolls Spera Ex Husban Essays

Strong Women in James Joyce's Eveline, Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, and Spera's My Ex-Husband       "My Ex-Husband" by Gabriel Spera, "Eveline" by James Joyce, and A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen all feature strong women as central characters. These women show their strength by standing up for themselves, making self-sacrifices for the benefit of others, and rebelling against society's stereotypes.    The female persona in Spera's "My Ex-Husband" finds the strength to stand up for herself and her beliefs when faced with a cheating spouse. As the poem begins, the woman is preparing to leave on a date when her new beau notices a picture of the woman's ex-husband. She soon finds herself telling him the story behind their divorce. "He seems like any woman's perfect catch" (Spera 633), but she ultimately discovers that her spouse is disloyal to her, and he doesn't care "how slobbishly he [carries] on his affairs" (Spera 633). "Most women believe that if you love your partner, you wouldn't even be interested in an affair; therefore, if someone has an affair, it means that they don't love their partner and they do love the person they had the affair with" (Glass). The woman in Spera's poem feels that the man to whom she was married betrayed her, therefore she stands up for herself and leaves him behind.    Although it is not easy to pursue your dreams, it is even more difficult to give up those dreams for the interests of others. Eveline, the main character in James Joyce's short story by the same name, is torn between staying in her unhappy home with her father and leaving to find a life with her lover, Frank. Eveline made a promise to her dying mother "to keep the home together as long as she could" (Joyce 6). But because of her unfulfilling job and her verbally abusive alcoholic father, she begins toying with the idea of leaving with Frank. She believes if she goes with Frank, he will "give her life, perhaps love, too" (Joyce 6). Eveline is willing to sacrifice her chance of finding true love just so she can escape the confines of her life with her father. In the end, however, she chooses to keep her promise to her mother, and surrenders her dreams of a life of her own. Even though she desperately desires to leave, she finds the strength to stay in an unhappy situation so she can ca re for her father.

Health and Safety Gap Analysis Essay

1. GAP Analysis and GANT chart. This was a good start and gave us something to aim for. We have made some progress but not enough. It didn’t really tackle the serious issues and had a poor starting point in the GAP analysis (should have been a risk assessment). Many initiatives have failed due to poor information flow and management commitment. 2. Management buy-in Not enough support from all Managers at all levels. â€Å"We are too busy† was a common phrase heard, IOSH guidance on Safety management systems states that â€Å"Managers need to manage health and safety issues effectively, no matter how busy they are and whatever their workload†. E.g., Kev too busy for training Alex all sorts of issues David very good No action on recommendations. Heath and safety is seen as a secondary business activity, not as a primary consideration. Everyone has suggestions to improve health and Safety at Barfoots but most are not willing to take action when required. Low attendance at the committee meetings, I feel as though they are a waste of time 3. Health and safety committee Nothing is ever sorted out as there is low attendance I would suggest forming a new committee formed by safety representatives from each area of the business. Safety reps would need training in health and safety and allowed time to discharge their duties. 4. My role Heath and safety management is not just about one person, but about the whole organisation working towards a common goal, ‘the reduction of accidents and incidents’. At the moment all of this has been put on me. I sometimes feel confused as to what action to take next. Because people disregard actions I find it hard to keep track of what needs to be done. I am sometimes used as a backup because no one else is there at the time. IE water jug, signs, etc. What authority do I have? I need to spend more time on policy, organization and auditing than I do and less time on the daily management of the process. i. Fire procedures ii. Boom iii. Delivering and maintaining procedures iv. First aid v. Chasing up managers Not suitably qualified, NEBOSH 1-2 years  £2300-  £5000 We are now a multi site business growing rapidly. My skills need to grow with it. MHSWR 99 requires that every employer shall appoint one or more competent persons to assist and advise on health and safety. I nave taken advice which suggested that I should be qualified to NEBOSH level. Syllabus is based around the development and implementation of a OSHMS in a company. Potentially reduced costs in terms of outsourced services, Fire survey, noise survey etc. It will mean that I have accountability as written in my job description. Who do I report to and is that the right person? 5. OSHMS We set out with a list of goals and have achieved some but not others. The first goal should have been the establishment of a an OSHMS in order to create a structure to hang everything else off. There are a number of options for OSHMS all of them based on the Plan Do Check Act principle PDCA HSG65 BS 8800 OHSAS 18001 ILO HSG65 Is the HSE’s OSHMS and states â€Å"†¦ if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law† We can audit against an OSHMS and set performance targets.

Belonging Essay

Response A sense of belonging can be found in many different places. But for one to belong to self, group or place one must fully understand one’s past. Peter Skrzynecki’s â€Å"10 Mary Street† and â€Å"Migrant Hostel† are two poems that explore his past, showing his attitudes and his quest to belong. Another text that explores this author’s past is John J. Encarnacao’s short story â€Å"Coming of Age in Australia†. These texts all explore relationships and feelings of cultural isolation. Relationships can be found in all 3 texts. Whether they are in the past or the present, they still form a basis to belong. Skrzynecki’s poem â€Å"Migrant Hostel† depicts the ? rst place that Skrzynecki arrives in Australia. From the beginning, it can been seen that Skrzynecki belongs to a forever changing group, a group of migrants held in a hostel where â€Å"No one kept count – Off all the comings and goings. † These opening lines give a sense of insecurity and instability. However, the â€Å"Arrival of newcomers†, shows the positive side of the migrant group, all embracing each other, and belonging to each other. With out this experience, however negative it may seem, Skrzynecki would not have been able to retell this story, his story, and ? d the places, or groups that he belongs to today. Another poem of Skrzynecki’s that explores relationships is â€Å"10 Mary Street†. Throughout this poem, the reader watches young Skrzynecki grow up and develop. In the beginning of the poem, Skrzynecki is naive to the world around him, â€Å"For nineteen years we departed each morning – Shut the house – Like a well-oiled lock†. He is placed into a routine. He does not know his own way, only to do as he is told. This poem explores the lack of a relationship, this lack that could shape one and possibly damage one’s self. My Parents watered plants – grew potatoes and rows of sweet corn: Tended roses and camellias – Like adopted children†. Skrzynecki feels unloved, like his parents care more for their plants than for their child. Without this relationship of work between parents and child, it would not have developed Skrzynecki personality into the one it is today. A similar type of relationship is shown in Encarnacao’s â€Å"Coming of Age in Australia†. Encarnacao is lost in Australia, his new country, â⠂¬Å"It has taken me 36 years, six kids, a divorce and a dozen jobs to come of age in Australia†. He feels secluded as a child. THe only way that he felt he could belong was to ? ght, â€Å"Fighting was a part of life†, â€Å"you had to ? ght – and win. It was the only way of gaining respect. † Encarnacao was lost, unloved, and didn’t belong. For him to belong in today’s society, â€Å"An Australian will still call me dago – but most of the time, it is over a friendly beer†. He had to ? ght his way through the harm, and become immune to the torment to become a man in Australia. Like every person in the world, Skrzynecki and Encarnacao made judgements, some good and some bad, and some that isolated them from other parts of their new culture. This judgements can be what what shapes a person, the can make a child into a man. Encarnacao’s wrong judgement to ? ght may have helped him develop a sense of belonging to a darker side of the world, but without it he would not have become the man he is today. This can be found in Encarnacao’s â€Å"Coming of Age in Australia†. Encarnacao now understands that what he did, help build the society of today, â€Å"I was not to know that Australia was growing up along with me†. Skrzynecki was faced with similar problems in his childhood. In â€Å"Migrant Hostel† Skrzynecki is in captivity, belonging to a group of so called outsiders. He had only found hope on the darkest of places, â€Å"Needing its sanctions to pass in and out of lives – That had only begun – or were dying†. He thought his only way out was death. Similarly, in â€Å"10 Mary Street† Skrzynecki thinks he ? nds his place of belonging, to belong to Australia, â€Å"We became citizens of the soil – That was feeding us Inheritors of a key – That’ll open no house – When this on is pulled down. † but he has lost his pre-war identity and does not feel like he belongs to Australia. With the bene? t of their current lives, both Skrzynecki and Encarnacao now know that their possible bad judgements, that caused them pain, have helped them to ? nd a sense of belonging today. Skrzynecki and Encarnacao tell their past, a past of exclusion and pain. But without them understanding their past, they would not have been able to ? nd their place or group of belonging that they are a part of today. This is re? ected in Skrzynecki’s â€Å"Immigrant Chronicle† and Encarnacao’s short story â€Å"Coming of Age in Australia†.

Free Essays on Favorite Song

, but I feel the music. That’s what’s important.... Free Essays on Favorite Song Free Essays on Favorite Song My favorite song in the whole world would have to be â€Å"Hey Lover† from LL Cool J’s 1995 album titled, â€Å"Mr. Smith.† The song is a pleasant collaboration of Mr. Smith and Boyz II Men. I love the way the song immediately grabs you on the opening note of the jazzy guitar. Followed by the melodic voices of Boyz II Men, you instantly get into a relaxed and laid back mood. In the song, LL Cool J raps about how he falls victim of a serious crush on a lady in his neighborhood. He is very graphic in explaining this crush and you will soon find yourself reminiscing about the crush or two you’ve had in the past (or present). I can remember a crush I had in 12th grade whenever I hear the song.. The music of the record is comprised of a jazz guitar, which riffs a melancholy note every 10 seconds. The electric bass guitar deeply hums a soulful note in the background. Percussion is the lifeline of the song and keeps a sleek but steady pace throughout the song. Add the rhythmic voices of Boyz II Men and the sensitive, smooth, but confident voice and lyrics of LL Cool J and you have a masterpiece. I have many favorites but this one in particular is great because it is one of the few rap/r&b collaborations that is on my favorites list. I am a true lover of music. I hear not only music or words, but I feel the music. That’s what’s important....

USS New York (BB-34) in World War II

USS New York (BB-34) in World War II USS New York  (BB-34) - Overview: Nation:  United States Type:  Battleship Shipyard:  Brooklyn Navy Yard Laid Down:  September 11, 1911 Launched:  October 30, 1912 Commissioned:  April 15, 1914 Fate:  Sunk July 8, 1948 as a target ship USS New York  (BB-34) - Specifications: Displacement:  27,000  tons Length:  573  ft. Beam:  95.2  ft. Draft:  28.5 ft. Propulsion:  14  Babcock and Wilcox  coal-fired boilers  with oil spray, triple expansion steam engines turning two propellers Speed:  20  knots Complement:  1,042  men​ Armament (as built): 10  Ãƒâ€"  14-inch/45  caliber guns21 Ãâ€"  5/51 caliber guns4 Ãâ€" 21  torpedo tubes USS New York (BB-34) - Design Construction: Tracing its roots to the 1908 Newport Conference, the  New York-class of battleship was the US Navys fifth type of dreadnought after the earlier  -,  -, -, and  Wyoming-classes.   Key  among the conferences conclusions was the requirement for increasingly larger calibers of main guns.   Though debate ensued regarding the armament of the Florida- and  Wyoming-class ships, their construction moved forward using 12 guns.   Complicating the discussion was the fact that no American dreadnought had entered service and designs were based on theory and experience with pre-dreadnought ships.   In 1909, the General Board advanced designs for a battleship mounting 14 guns.   The following year, the Bureau of Ordnance successfully tested a new gun of this size and Congress authorized the construction of two vessels. Designated USS  New York  (BB-34) and USS  Texas  (BB-35), the new type featured ten 14 guns mounted in five twin turrets.   These were placed with two forward and two aft in superfiring arrangements while the fifth turret was situated amidships.   The secondary armament consisted of twenty-one 5 guns and four 21 torpedo tubes.   Power for the  New York-class ships came from fourteen Babcock Wilcox coal-fired boilers driving vertical triple expansion steam engines.   These turned two propellers and gave the vessels a speed of 21 knots.   Protection for the ships came from a 12 main armor belt with 6.5 covering the vessels casemates.    Construction of  New York  was assigned to the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn  and work commenced on September 11, 1911.   Proceeding over the next year, the battleship slid down the ways on October 30, 1912, with Elsie Calder, daughter of Representative William M. Calder, serving as sponsor.   Eighteen months later,  New York  entered service on April 15, 1914,  with Captain Thomas S. Rodgers in command.   A descendant  of Commodore  John Rodgers and Captain Christopher Perry (father of Oliver Hazard Perry and Matthew C. Perry), Rodgers immediately took his ship south to support the American occupation of Veracruz. USS New York (BB-34) - Early Service World War I: Arriving off the Mexican coast, New York became the flagship of Rear Admiral Frank F. Fletcher that July.   The battleship remained in the vicinity of Veracruz until the end of the occupation in November.   Steaming north, it conducted a shakedown cruise before arriving at New York City in December.   While in port, New York hosted a Christmas party for local orphans.   Well-publicized, the event earned the battleship the moniker The Christmas Ship and established a reputation of public service.   Joining the Atlantic Fleet, New York spent much of 1916 conducting routine training exercises along the East Coast.   In 1917, following the US entry into World War I, the battleship became flagship of Rear Admiral Hugh Rodmans Battleship Division 9.    That fall, Rodmans ships received orders to reinforce Admiral Sir David Beattys British Grand Fleet.   Reaching Scapa Flow on December 7, the force was re-designated the 6th Battle Squadron.   Commencing training and gunnery exercises, New York stood out as the best American ship in the squadron.   Tasked with escorting convoys in the North Sea, the battleship accidentally rammed a German U-boat on the night of October 14, 1918 as it entered Pentland Firth.   The encounter broke off two of the battleships propeller blades and reduced its speed to 12 knots.   Crippled, it sailed for Rosyth for repairs.   En route, New York  came under attack from another U-boat, but the torpedoes missed.   Repaired, it rejoined the fleet to escort the German High Seas Fleet into internment following the wars conclusion in November.    USS New York (BB-34) - Interwar Years: Briefly returning to New York City, New York then escorted President Woodrow Wilson, aboard the liner SS George Washington, to Brest, France to take part in the peace negotiations.   Resuming peacetime operations, the battleship conducted training activities in home water before a brief refit which saw a reduction in the 5 armament and the addition of 3 anti-aircraft guns.   Transferred to the Pacific later in 1919, New York began service with the Pacific Fleet with San Diego serving as its home port.   Returning east in 1926, it entered Norfolk Navy Yard for an extensive modernization program.   This saw the coal-fired boilers replaced with new Bureau Express oil-fired models, the trunking of the two funnels into one, installation of an aircraft catapult on the amidships turret, addition of torpedo bulges, and the replacement of the lattice masts with new tripod ones.   After conducting training with USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) and USS Arizona (BB-39) in late 1928 and early 1929, New York resumed routine operations with the Pacific Fleet.   In 1937, the battleship was selected to transport Rodman to Britain where he was to serve as the US Navys official representative at the coronation of King George VI.   While there, it took part in the Grand Naval Review as the lone American vessel.   Returning home, New York commenced a refit which saw the expansion of its anti-aircraft armament as well as the installation of XAF radar set.   The second ship to receive this new technology, the battleship conducted tests of this equipment as well as transported midshipmen on training cruises. USS New York (BB-34) - World War II: With the beginning of World War II in Europe in September 1939, New York received orders to join the Neutrality Patrol in the North Atlantic.   Operating in these waters, it worked to protect the sea lanes against encroachment by German submarines.   Continuing in this role, it later escorted American troops to Iceland in July 1941.   In need of further modernization, New York entered the yard and was there when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7.   With the nation at war, work on the ship moved quickly and it returned to active duty four weeks later.   An older battleship, New York spent much of 1942 aiding in escorting convoys to Scotland.   This duty was broken up in July when its anti-aircraft armament underwent a major enhancement at Norfolk.   Departing Hampton Roads in October, New York joined the Allied fleet to support the Operation Torch landings in North Africa. On November 8, in company with USS Philadelphia, New York attacked Vichy French positions around Safi.   Providing naval gunfire support for the 47th Infantry Division, the battleship neutralized enemy shore batteries before steaming north to join Allied forces off Casablanca.   It continued to operate off North Africa until retiring to Norfolk on November 14.   Resuming escort duties, New York shepherded convoys to North Africa into 1943.   Later that year, it underwent a final overhaul which saw further additions to its anti-aircraft armament.   Assigned to the Chesapeake as a gunnery training ship, New York spent from July 1943 to June 1944 engaged in educating sailors for the fleet.   Though effective in this role, it badly reduced morale among the permanent crew. USS New York (BB-34) - Pacific Theater: Following a series of midshipmen cruises in the summer of 1944, New York received orders to transfer to the Pacific.   Passing through the Panama Canal that fall, it arrived at Long Beach on December 9.   Completing refresher training on the West Coast, the battleship steamed west and joined the support group for the invasion of Iwo Jima.   En route, New York lost a blade from one of its propellers which necessitated temporary repairs at Eniwetok.   Rejoining the fleet, it was in position on February 16 and commenced a three-day bombardment of the island.   Withdrawing on the 19th, New York underwent permanent repairs at Manus before resuming service with Task Force 54.    Sailing from Ulithi, New York and its consorts arrived off Okinawa on March 27 and began bombardment of the island in preparation for the Allied invasion.   Remaining offshore after the landings, the battleship provided naval gunfire support for the troops on the island.   On April 14, New York narrowly missed being struck by a kamikaze though the attack resulted in the loss of one its spotting aircraft.   After operating in the vicinity of Okinawa for two and half months, the battleship departed for Pearl Harbor on June 11 to have its guns relined.   Entering the harbor on July 1, it was there when the war ended the following month. USS New York (BB-34) - Postwar: In early September, New York conducted an Operation Magic Carpet cruise from Pearl Harbor to San Pedro to return American servicemen home.   Concluding this assignment, it shifted to the Atlantic to take part in Navy Day festivities in New York City.   Due to its age, New York was selected as a target ship for the Operation Crossroads atomic tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946.   Surviving both the Able and Baker tests, the battleship returned to Pearl Harbor under tow for further examination.   Formally decommissioned on August 29, 1946, New York was taken from port on July 6, 1948 and sunk as a target. Selected Sources: DANFS: USS  New York  (BB-34)NHHC: USS  New York  (BB-34)MaritimeQuest: USS  New York  (BB-34)