The USS Essex, one of the largest class of "amphibious warfare ships" in

the U.S. fleet, will dock in Sihanoukville in late November bearing 1,000 American

marines, the U.S Embassy said. "They will help with health programs and engineering

projects - repairing schools and bridges," said embassy spokesman Jeff Daigle.

"They will be doing the same kind of things as the USS Gary but on a much larger

scale." The USS Gary made a port stop in Sihanoukville February 9-13, when its

crew assisted in repairing local clinics and ran medical workshops. The USS Essex

- 844 feet long or 253 meters - and resembling a "small aircraft carrier,"

according to the US Navy web site, will be here November 26-December 2. It is based

in Japan.