USS New York arrives in New York harbor

NEW YORK, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The USS New York's captain said it felt like "coming home" when the ship, built in part with World Trade Center steel, arrived at a New York harbor Monday.

USS New York Cmdr. Curt Jones spoke as the amphibious assault vessel completed its journey to its namesake city from Norfolk, Va., in preparation for its official commissioning, The New York Times said.

"It's fantastic to be here," Jones said. "It really does feel like we're coming home."

The USS New York will be used to transport U.S. troops to various global locations once it is commissioned on Saturday.

The ship's executive officer, Cmdr. Erich Schmidt, said sailors on board the vessel lined the rails in anticipation of their New York arrival Monday.

"They wanted to stake out a good spot," Schmidt told the Times.

The USS New York is partially constructed out of 7.5 tons of steel from the rubble of the World Trade Center buildings, brought down by the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.