Page 2: First sight of giant flaking vessel As the massive ship lumbered into view, it was hard to believe she had caused so much fuss. Flanked by police patrol boats and being towed by the 'Englishman' tug, the 15,000-tonne USS Caloosahatchee creaked her way into the mouth of the River Tees at the end of an epic journey from the United States. From my vantage point aboard the Teesport harbour master's boat, the shimmering image of the former US navy support ship at first appeared to sparkle white in the autumn afternoon sunshine. But the closer we got to her, the clearer it was to see how decrepit the grey and black vessel had become. She looked every one of her 58 years - covered from bow to stern in flaking paint and rust, with several portholes smashed and repaired with masking tape. The only evidence of the Caloosahatchee's grander past was the Combat Logistics Squadron Four, US Atlantic Fleet insignia proudly emblazoned on one side of her. There were no other visible clues as to the vessel's military career. TV crews from Britain's media crammed aboard the tiny harbour master's vessel and jockeyed for the best position of the ship as we manoeuvred to within almost touching distance of the Caloosahatchee's port-side. We were watching the final moments of the 644-foot long vessel's 4,500-mile journey from the James River in Virginia. There was no sign of the protesters who had threatened to gatecrash its controversial arrival. Instead the vessel, built in 1945, was greeted by Phoenix Cross, Fiery Cross and Coatham Cross, the three Middlesbrough tugboats charged with hauling the rotting cargo ship to its Teesside berth. They took over from the Englishman as they attached themselves to the Caloosahatchee at the Seaton turning circle, usually used as a turning point for the port's biggest vessels. Martyn Pellew, group development director of PD Teesport, said: "We deal with 6,000 ship movements a year here. There's no difference between this ship and any other. "We are very used to ships carrying cargos which could be potentially dangerous. "The Caloosahatchee is no different to them. "Our responsibility was to look after it and make sure it arrived safely in the Able UK yard. "We had a lot of people working to ensure her smooth and safe arrival. "We were very pleased and proud of the work we have done here." Page 3: Ghost ships make waves | 
