High resolution version here
Posted on 01/27/2005 12:42:24 PM PST by Boot Hill
The amount of damage is simply staggering!
That this boat ever made it back to port is a tribute to its designers, builders, and especially to the crew and captain. How does America keep finding men like these?
Grrrrrr!
The sub suffered a glancing blow. The pressure shell looks intack and the sonar and tubes took the impact (crumple zone). The upper buckling is may or may not indicate frame damage because it is secondary skin and not part of the pressure shell. The ballast tanks were not affected. This sub will be rebuilt even if they have to rebuild past the buckle zone. Suspect they have enough spares laying around to refit from the sail forward. My guess is it will take a year and half before it floats again (half that time will be filling out the paperwork).
I helped to designed the hydraulic valves for these boats (a long time ago). One of my first jobs at the company was redoing all the manual valve shanks to different thread size because the early ones had the same size and pitch as bar handles. The navy didn't take kindly to touring their boats with rows of beer handles spouting from the controls.
Rigging for angles and dangles in Maneuvering meant for the EO to put the RO's cig into the ashtray, the RO's coffee cup off of his panel and wake him up so that he wouldn't hit his head.
From my encounters with you here on FR, I have no doubt about that. Grand daughters are really special.
--Boot Hill
It is ok if the framing is bent as that is "superstructure" that is relatively easily rebuilt. The real question is whether the pressure hull is intact. If sections of the pressure hull are damaged, then the boat may be a total loss.
She likes to "play puter" also. About a third of my posts this week were really hers. I hope that no one has been offended ...
God bless 'em.
That buckling is most certainly in the superstructure framing associated with the aft most forward ballast tank. With any luck, the pressure hull is intact.
LOL, no way I'm not letting you off the hook that easy!
--Boot Hill
What a miracle and a blessing! Our prayers are with these brave men.
The guy standing up is the Throttleman - he controls the speed of the sub. The guy in the middle is the Reactor Operator - he keeps Tav in the Green Band and the guy closest is the electrical operator - he keeps the plant running at 450/60. Unseen is the EOOW (Engineering Oficer of the watch) his main job is making sure these guys stay awake.
What the heck are 'angles and dangles '? I'm an Army guy I know a bit about Tanks but I don't know a thing Subs.
Sha-zammmm! That must have been one hell of an impact. Truely amazing.
ping
I made a crack about sonar girls a week ago and had this 6'4 250 lb ex STSSC threaten to come over to my house.
I would have gone stir crazy with a shut door.
Now known as Northrup/Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company.
I agree with the speculation that she'll never go to sea again; you have no idea what that kind of a shock does to a vessel, and the hidden damage could be impossible to repair. There are a lot of lessons in shipbuilding to be learned, and you can bet that some of the best Marine Engineeers in the World are going over her as we speak.
Replacing the Passive Sonar Array alone would be astronomical in cost...not to mention that they don't just keep them laying around. A whole new array would have to be built.
I said in another forum, that the initial reports of a "grounding" didn't pass the smell test. This certainly wasn't just a grounding.
Again, outstanding Damage Control and a sharp crew saved this vessel, despite Mass Casualties and the tragic death of a crewmember. This is reminicient of the USS Stark, and the USS Cole DC efforts.
Buy a Navy Blackshoe a beer!
Did he offer to bring the vaseline? (ducking).
After the sandals got nixed I can't remember what I wore. They may have been black at one time but I can't remember.
They were so lucky.
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