agents reported no cruise ships and one less container vessel arrival than usual.

But later this week, two US Navy war ships are expected to steam into Dockyard for a refuelling stop, reported John S. Darrell spokesman Saleem Talbot.

The "Arleigh Burke'' class guided missile destroyer John Barry and the "Oliver Hazard Perry'' class guided missile frigate Samuel B. Roberts are set to arrive on Sunday morning and leave that afternoon.

The John Barry is 504-feet-long and carries a complement of 303 crew including 23 officers.

The "Arleigh Burke'' class of warship was the first in the US Navy to be designed with a collective protection system for defence against the fallout associated with nuclear, biological and chemical warfare.

The Samuel B. Roberts is 453-feet-long and carries a complement of 206 crew including 13 officers and 19 air crew for its pair of SH-60B LAMPS III helicopters.

Mr. Talbot also announced that the Canadian research vessel CFAV Endeavour at Ordinance Island, was due to depart today. It was in port for the reconfiguration of scientific equipment and exchange of scientists working in local waters.

The 236-foot-long ship was designed primarily for anti-submarine research and carries a light helicopter. It's hull has also been reinforced so it can operate in ice-covered areas.

Elsewhere, the cable ship Marion C , which arrived at Penno's Wharf last Friday from Fort Pierce, Florida, left Tuesday morning, said Meyer Agencies spokesman Stephen Paynter.

He added the Bermuda Islander arrived on Monday from Salem, New Jersey, with 80 dry containers and 13 refrigerated containers. It sailed the same day.

Meanwhile the Somers Isles remained in Florida this week. It is set to arrive this Sunday.

And Container Ship Management vice-president Robert Lewis said the Oleander arrived on Monday with 116 dry containers, including four flat-bed trailers of structured steel and scaffolding, 5 cars and 39 refrigerated containers.

The Oleander left for Port Elizabeth, New Jersey on Tuesday.

Also in Hamilton this week is the cable ship Sir Eric Sharp which recently returned to Bermuda after completing cable work in Montserrat.

The ship is open to the public today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as it is commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Cable & Wireless worldwide telecommunications group.