The almost one thousand workers at Todd Shipyard on Harbor Island could be going through some "mixed emotions" this week. They're excited about the arrival of a piece of history, and yet they can't help having a "sinking" feeling.

"For us, not having it happen too many times, it's going to be quite a spectacle," says project manager Dave Conklin. He's referring to the arrival of the "Resolute," a Navy-built drydock measuring the length of almost three football fields. The Resolute was built in 1944, and is now being leased to Todd Shipyard.

"It allows us to match the appropriate-sized dock to the appropriate-sized ship," says Todd CEO Steve Welch. The acquisition of the Resolute increases their dry dock count from two to three.

But getting the Resolute here was no easy feat.

"The trip started in early July," says retired Coast Guard officer John Lockwood.

It was too big for the Panama Canal, so it's finally arriving, almost two months after it left Norfolk, Virginia. It's quite a sight to see, especially when it's off-loaded Wednesday from the ship bringing it here.

"That requires the heavy lift ship to actually ballast or flood down," Lockwood says. "It could appear to the casual observer that a ship is sinking in Elliot Bay."

So don't be alarmed when you see the "Mighty Servant" appearing to sink during Wednesday's scheduled off-loading. Dock Master Dave Anderson says everything's under control.

"Everybody's full of anticipation seeing this thing out in the bay," Anderson tells KOMO News. "They want to see it launch, and they want to see it come here."