USS Ronald Reagan in Magellan Strait

MercoPress News Agency ^ | 06/21/2004

[My2Cents]

Well, it makes much more sense to give that honor to Michael than to Patti or Ron Jr.

[SAMWolf]

Here's a couple of links about Stealth technology for ships

Stealth ships steam ahead

Pics and Forum on Stealth Ships

Thanks snippy for the research.

THE CVX is a new class of ship that is being designed as the US Navy's next generation aircraft carrier. To make it more survivable, the navy plans to make them smaller, faster and stealthier. By reducing radar cross section, detection can be delayed allowing launch and recovery of aircraft. New flight deck layouts and island configuration are being studied to optimize flight operations, reduce radar signature and infrared signature.

In late 1997, Congress cut $78 m for the design of the CVX. The ship might take as long as 2006 to make its appearance.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the ping Johnny. Impressive!

[ThirdMate]

You are correct! A ship too large to transit the canal is referred to as "Post-Panamax".

There are plans afoot to build a bigger canal. I hope they build it in Nicaragua, where it should have gone in the first place.

[timydnuc]

What a great picture. The "Reagan" sails out to defend this nation as the man it's named after goes quietly to God. There will always be a Reagan defending freedom and the United States of America.

One day the command will be given, "Bring the Reagan into the wind, prepare for fighter launch, alert all escort vessels". Much as a command was given in the waters over the Med. (Libia) American fighters were under attack by Libian MiGs. They were on evasive maneuvers, unable to engage the enemy firing at them. The order had to come from the White House & Ronald Reagan himself. It came quickly and decisively. "Splash 2....repeat...splash 2". A Navy pilot, under attack was heard to say, "ALLRIGHT"! There were actually 3 boogies that day and 2 were splashed, the other got hit and limped back to the coast, he crashed but, unfortunately survived.

Thank you Ronald Reagan for giving us our country back. I promise we won't loose it again.

[Barnacle]

Way cool.

[VOA]

Link to website for the good ship:

http://www.reagan.navy.mil

[Calvin Locke]

are "Panamax" size

During WWII, Japan's largest battleships, supposedly had a design requiremnt to be able to "out gun" any US battleship that could fit through the Panama Canal.

[KillTime]

Cool pics. I went through the Straits in '88 on the Destroyer USS RE Byrd. Parts were so narrow one could almost touch the sides of the mountains, it seemed. At one point, we stopped briefly near a sea side shack village and canoes came out to sell us fish and shell fish, which we all ate later that night for dinner. Something right out of the old Hornblower series I used to read. Very beautiful vistas, as you can see.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[katana]

Yep. Some of the roughest seas can be found off the southern tip of South America (Cape Horn?). The Magellan Straits allow ships to pass through sheltered calm.

[Aeronaut]

I wish he would've lived another 93yrs more!

Yeah, what she said.

[Petronski]

Just ordered myself up one of these:

I got the one with direct embroidery (no patch, same design).

[CyberAnt]

Exactly!

[samadams2000]

Can you name all the active carriers?

12 I believe...

If I was President I would commission 5 more just for the hell of it.

[DefCon]

That's an interesting link you provided, but a strange
caption for the picture that is shown there, though.

[Atomic Vomit]

Hey Matey. I see you joined up on my birthday, 11/9!

Where do you sail?

AV

[SoCalPol]

Less than 3 miles from my apt. I will be watching
when it docks next month.

[Wisconsin]

The enign is normally flown from the mainmast when at sea, from the stern when in port (the commission jack pennant (blue with white stars) is flown from the bow in port).

On a carrier the ensign is usually flown on a cable on the outboard side of the mast. I suspect it is just blocked in the picture -- it is pretty small in relation to the carrier, and it may be partially wrapped around the cable.

The ensign is normally never not flown except when surrendering

This picture of the USS Carl Vinson gives you a good idea of where it is flown and the relative size:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/027018.jpg

Note that the flag of the host country is normally also flown when in the territorial waters of the host (in peacetime!). I suspect that there is a Chilean flag somewhere there.

[Wisconsin]

One addition: many ships have a "port" ensign which is larger and in good condition and used in port. The flag material gets a lot of wear and tear on a ship (wind, and if the ship is conventionally powered, stack gases). No need to use the "dress" clothes when at sea.