The dock-landing ship, the USS Portland, recently returned from a three-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

CNN: New York celebrates Parade of Ships

But his military career was ended abruptly when his left leg was blown off in an attack by Argentinian fighter planes on the landing ship, Sir Galahad.

BBC: Soldiers join war trauma lawsuit

The nine U.S. Navy ships include three guided missile cruisers, three frigates, an amphibious transport ship, two dock landing ships and a research vessel.

CNN: New York celebrates Parade of Ships

And it's a landing craft, so it's designed to bring Marines from the ship onto the beach and go inland maybe a mile or two.

NPR: Looking at Armored Troop Transports in Iraq

In Enniskillen, St Patrick had an eventful arrival - landing on an island by helicopter before being captured by Vikings who brought him ashore on their long ship.

BBC: St Patrick's Day: Thousands at parades in NI