Was leaving San Diego in 1960 on an APA and we 'passed' the T's and the APA did a slight roll crossing the breakwater and the Ts (my 'NEW' ship) looked like a model ship in a wind tunnel.(comparatively speaking)
Like 'they' used to say while looking over the vast ocean..
WOW, that is sure a lot of water
And 'we' would answer
YEAH, and that is just the top....
Haze Gray and Underway
USN!!!!! and all seafarers
Godspeed.
I rode a few gators back in the day in formation crossing stormy seas. It always amazed me watching the Barnstable County LSTs rising up and plunging down, almost disappearing under the spray. And the ironic thing was that they had very “long legs” being diesel ships, and because they could stay at sea for months, they were also used for ELINT platforms places like the Bering Sea, with some spooks and spook containers brought on board. Geez, I always thought that would be some hellacious duty, driving in “gator squares” for weeks at a time in rough seas in an LST....
This will bring back memories for any sailors who experienced a storm at sea in small boys. The weather decks are secured, rig for heavy rolls.
“Navy Ships in Storms”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRizSDoOJa0
LST-1156
Displacement:
2,590 tons (light),
5,800 tons (full load)
Length: 384 ft 0 in (117.04 m)
Beam: 55 ft 0 in (16.76 m)
Draft: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
Installed power:6,000 shaft horsepower
Troops: 395 (15 officers and 380 enlisted men)
That’s a big cork....