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

TBO.COM ^

[Calpernia]

The Norfolk one I saw. That was a fun tour.

The grammar schools that are local to these carriers should make them a part of their history classes.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Can't they sink Kerry's or Kennedy's boat instead?

Well, Kerry ran his aground.

And Kennedy got his sunk: it was cut in half by a "stealth" Japanese destroyer.

[Robert A Cook PE]

One 48 didn't sink (immediately, at least) even the 15,000 ton Bushnell.

Even without a crew onboard, and wih all the W/T hatches and tanks open, the first damaged her, but didn't come close to sinking it.

The second, which hit her anchor chain (that had broken loose from the shock) put her under about 30 minutes later.

[Constantine XIII]

Think of it this way, at least she'll die with her boots on.

Plus, we REALLY do need to know how much punishment a super carrier can take if we were to get into a tangle with, say, China.

[FMBass]

During the Viet Nam War I served on the US Harold E. Holt (DE-1074). It was only recently that I learned that a few years ago it was used for target practice and sunk in the Pacific.

I found the pictures on the Internet of its’ demise. A very strange sensation came over me when I saw the pictures. Almost made me sick to my stomach.

Guess what I’m saying is that I know how you guys feel.

[Major_Risktaker]

Make it a museum!

Make it a LA homeless shelter.

[Doohickey]

Guess it depends on how good a shot you are.:) Here's a pic of ex-Jonas Ingram brought low by one Mk-48 ADCAP

[Calpernia]

I'm 100% against sinking her.

I totally doubt my voice means anything.

But I just sent up my words of concern.

We have plenty of ports. This carrier should be made a museum.

The list of museums that was posted don't have the traffic they need because the locales don't promote them.

Any school within stomping distance should have these carriers as part of history lessons.

We have an American Legion that JUST received a helicopter for display.

Every time I drive by there are always kids with their faces pressed against the fence wanting a closer look.

So kids are interested in these attractions.

The communities that host these vehicles need to be held accountable for teaching them.

Otherwise, they shouldn't receive federal funds.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahha!

You, dear sir, have tumbled upon the dirty little secret nobody in the Navy wants to talk about!

In over 75 incidents of real-world weapon explosions, accidents, collisions, and sinkings since the end of WWII (the beginning of the electronics age/missile age/radar/CIC/combat systems age, NOT ONE destroyer sized ship has survived (able to keep weapons, power and propulsion going) EVEN ONE hit from ANY weapon of ANY kind: even duds take out a ship completely.

(again, remember the criteria: have power, have combat systems, have propulsion, and (oh by the way) stay afloat.

EVERY destroyer-sized ship has been put out of action, and been down for periods ranging from one hour to as much as sinking completely - after just one hit.


On the other hand, no ship larger than 15,000 tons has been put out of action by a single hit, and most merchant designs (even the Liberty) have simply shrugged off the damage and continued steaming after taking mine, torpedo, and bomb damage.

[Doohickey]

Communities usually don't realize how much it costs to maintain these floating museums (and nor do the citizens who must fund it).

These things are necessary, it helps to save lives.

[Calpernia]

Yes. Hence my point in making them a part of the educational process.

If they are IN the community, they need to be a part of the curriculum.

[Lady In Blue]

I think that's a great idea! I wonder if anybody is inquiring?!

[RJL]

Can't they sink Kerry's or Kennedy's boat instead?

Well, Kerry ran his aground.

And Kennedy got his sunk: it was cut in half by a "stealth" Japanese destroyer.

A noteworthy accomplishment, since Kennedy's PT Boat was twice as fast as the Japanese destroyer.

[null and void]

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 aren't playing games any longer.

Hmmmmm. Train them in damage control first. If they save the ship, we get a good test of procedures and they live.

If not, well...

[Pylon]

The USS Midway museum in San Diego has been up for a little while now and the times I have been down there is has been quite busy.

http://www.midway.org

[rlmorel]

Interestingly enough, the Forrestal took a beating when they had their accident. They cooked off something like 10 1000lb bombs, that is a LOT of energy. Granted, they didn't have the bombs penetrating below decks and going off, but they were still able to steam at 20 something knots after the accident.

Actually, the Taiho (Japanese navy's largest and most modern carrier in WWII) sank after taking one torpedo. Apparently, her crew didn't realize the danger they were in and kept steaming right along at full speed. The fumes from a ruptured avgas tank were sucked throughout the ship, and it became one, giant fuel/air bomb. The invevitable spark destroyed her, and she sank with three quarters of her crew (sunk by the submarine USS Cavalla)

[Hunble]

Why the heck are they not sinking this ship in shallow water?

Talk about an outstanding scuba diving attraction!

And for the environmentalists, it would establish a new artificial reef.

[rock58seg]

I've been to the Lexington several times, and I live 160 miles away in San Antonio. To top it off I'm ex Army not Navy.

I have also been to see the Texas, Alabama and Intrepid.

All well worth the trip, and time spent on them.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

He said he was "unhappy that a ship with that name is going to meet that fate,

I agree why not turn it into a museum of war history why sink it ? If they do sink it they should change the name first !