Navy to Sink USS America, Explosive Final Service That Saddens Former Crew

TBO.COM ^

[Calpernia]

Navy to Sink USS America, Explosive Final Service That Saddens Former Crew By John J. Lumpkin Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Navy plans to send the retired carrier USS America to the bottom of the Atlantic in explosive tests this spring, an end that is difficult to swallow for some who served on board.

[brooklin]

Instead of using charges to simulate weapons, why not use the real items? I'm just asking.

[StACase]

VF-33, 1967-68

[Dinsdale]

I'd guess they want precise postioning of the charges. So they get exactly the damage they want and extract as much information as possible.

[Doohickey]

Live TORPEX? That would be cool!

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I remember in elementary school in the 1940, they got the school children putting in their pennies, nickles and dimes to get the Battle Ship Texas saved from being salvaged.

[Coldwater Creek]

This is sad! One of our boys was on the America during the first Iraq war. My Husband was attached to the Forrestal and it is no longer in service.

[Sub-Driver]

Wonder how many ADCAP's it would take?

[Gator101]

True, it is a sad end to a proud ship, but the breaker's yard would be just as sad.

If I were a former crew member I think I would rather a ship I loved be still out there somewhere in one piece (even on the bottom) rather than made into a million razor blades or whatever.

[maestro]

How about a 'Billy Mitchell' from space or a cruise missile.....a little respect shown!

[GunnyHartman]

Why can't we give it to the Aussies? Heck it may be 50 years old but I'd bet it's one heck of alot better ship than the DeGaulle or the Foch.

[donmeaker]

one wouldnt want to have the real thing miss.

You also "correct" a stationary charge for the effect of the warhead moving (roughly mach 1) as it strikes the target.

I also think that they will be simulating Russian, French, and Chinese warheads.

This is an honorable end to a great ship. The USS Saratoga went to a similar fate, being used in the Bikini Atoll tests. After the Bikini atoll tests, a crew went back on board to test decontamination procedures. Brave guys!

[kylaka]

Yet another reason to move up the decommissioning of the JFK. Kennedy's sole Naval command, ended up on the bottom too.

[Calpernia]

I don't understand why they would sink it.

Make it a museum!

[Doohickey]

Two amidships ought to break her right in half (not that we ever spent any midwatches trying to figure that out or anything).

[JarheadFromFlorida]

Personally I think we should transfer all Islamofascist prisoners now in Gitmo to the USS America right before it is sunk. That should send a message that we arent playing games any longer.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Interesting. I hope we get some good data.

[Gator101]

The problem with making it a museum ship is all the money that would take...especially for a ship this size.

[dwilli]

I was TAD to America in the early seventies. It was not a pleasant atmosphere during my 3 months aboard. Morale was low, ship was dirty, very high AWOL count every time we pulled out for short cruises. Hopefully condidions improved, Captain Hagirtay (sp?) was CO but best I rememberthe XO was the disliked one.