By Alabama Public Radio
Mobile, AL – Two Navy warships are now docked in Mobile. They brought about 400 sailors to the city Thursday for Mardi Gras. The U-S-S Stout is the official 2004 Mardi Gras ship. The 505-foot-long guided missile destroyer is based in Norfolk, Virginia and has about 350 officers and crew. The U-S-S Osprey is a 188-foot-long coastal mine hunter based at Ingleside, Texas. It has a crew of about 50 sailors. The Osprey will be open to the public for tours from one to five P-M today through Tuesday at Mobile Landing. Security concerns are keeping the U-S-S Stout closed to the public.