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Posted on 03/25/2005 9:43:51 PM PST by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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 World War II During World War II, the Bath Iron Works achieved production miracles unmatched by any other shipyard in the country. by Dale P. Harper On the banks of the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, 12 miles from the sea, is the shipyard known as the Bath Iron Works, where USS Laffey (DD 724) was built. In more than 100 years of business, the yard has built many different types of vessels, but it has gained and maintained its reputation as a builder of destroyers for the United States Navy. During World War II, the Bath Iron Works achieved production miracles unmatched by any other shipyard in the country. Soon after France fell to the German onslaught in June 1940, Navy Secretary Frank Knox sent telegrams to the heads of many American shipyards, directing them to take immediate steps to expand their facilities in preparation for a forthcoming enlarged shipbuilding program. "Speed is of essence," the telegrams stated.  Bath Iron Works President William S. "Pete" Newell began his expansion plans immediately. Land adjacent to the north end of the shipyard was purchased from the Maine Central Railroad to accommodate the addition of two more building ways, enabling the yard to have eight ships under construction at one time. Since no more space was available in Bath, land was purchased in East Brunswick, 3 1/2 miles away, and a prefabrication plant was built there. Whole sections of ships were assembled in East Brunswick and hauled to the Bath yard. Seventy percent of the planned expansion had been completed and paid for by the company before a contract came through that authorized payment and reimbursement by the U.S. Navy. By December 1940, the Maine shipyard was prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. Most other shipyards had waited for Navy contracts and funds before beginning expansion, so they lagged far behind.  When the United States entered the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Bath Iron Works began to build destroyers. Various problems arose as the shipbuilding process was accelerated. By 1943, 12,000 employees, including 1,600 women, were working in three shifts around the clock. The city of Bath could not supply all the workers needed, and they could not be brought in from out of state because of a severe housing shortage. Therefore, workers were recruited from 94 Maine communities within a 60-mile radius of the shipyard. Because gasoline was rationed, the personnel department organized a ride-sharing program that resulted in 9,500 workers being transported in 2,200 cars, averaging more than four persons per car. Other workers were brought in on buses that had been leased from the Navy under a plan authorized by an act of Congress. Since many shipbuilders were being drafted or volunteering for military service, the personnel department recruited women and provided a nursery to care for their children. Every problem the company encountered was solved or overcome, and the resulting production efforts sometimes bordered on the fantastic. In peacetime, it took 700 days for the Bath Iron Works to build a destroyer, but during the war that time was cut to 210 days. A ship was launched every 17 days and was then moved to the outfitting dock for completion. In December 1942, temperatures dropped as low as 30 degrees below zero and averaged 10 below zero for a week. The Bath Iron Works' absentee rate was a mere 3 percent, however, and the safety record was the best of any shipyard in the country. Management rewarded good attendance records by allowing employees to ride on a destroyer when it was delivered to the Boston Naval Shipyard, where it officially accepted by the Navy and commissioned. Every employee could be proud of the Maine shipyard's record during the war years. From Pearl Harbor to the war's end, 82 destroyers were built and delivered--about 25 percent of all destroyers built for the Navy during the war. During the same period, Japanese shipyards built only 63 destroyers. The Bath Iron Works alone outproduced the Japanese empire. Bath Iron Works was a major WWII shipbuilder, building almost 100 ships, almost all of them destroyers. It continues in operation today. Bath Iron Works Record of WWII Shipbuilding      |
The RR Merlin along with the P&W R-2800 are 2 of the finest aeroplane engines made. Want Proof...
How about calling this one "The Dream"...
Dang that sheet rock is still calling, it's your fault there Valin :-)
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Dang that sheet rock is still calling, it's your fault there Valin :-)
Me thinks SOMEONE doth protest overmuch! :-)
I'm off for a leisurely breakfast, and then buying a new pair of jeans. (Ah life in the fast lane!)
Thanks for the photos.
Ya gotta see this
(note: language is a little.......earthy)
Employment: Martyrs Wanted...
http://66.49.224.213/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&catid=&topic=6
Putting into practice the Bible's directives isn't easy. For example, it's hard to pray sincerely for God to forgive our enemies and those who humiliate and belittle us. Yet God's Word is crystal-clear: "Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). As we lift our eyes to the Lord in prayer, we can be Spirit-enabled to put into practice His most difficult directives. Think of someone toward whom you have harbored a bitter spirit. Ransack your memory if necessary. As you consider that your feelings for that person, pray: "Lord, flood my heart with compassion, and purge away my unforgiving spirit. Help me to 'live peaceably with all men'" (Romans 12:18). If multitudes of Christians did that, what a transforming difference it would make in our marriages, our homes, and our churches. We could have a big influence on our hate-filled world. -Vernon Grounds
God's blessings are denied; We must forsake our stubbornness And banish sinful pride. -Sper Ground that is filled with roots of bitterness needs to be plowed by the grace of God.
Violence: Why It Happens Finding Peace In A World Of Racial Conflict |
You are correct, the first one being of course the USS Arleigh Burke(DDG 51).
Thanks!
Good morning AZamericonnie.
Good morning Aeronaut.
Good morning EGC.
Hi Gail.
As an early 2100-ton Fletcher-class ship from Bath Iron Works, the specifications for hull 194, Taylor, reflected the characteristics of all early Fletcher-class ships built there:
Length Overall: 376' 5½"
Extreme Beam: 39' 8"
Normal Displacement: 2,050 long tons
Draft: Light: 8' 1"; Mean: 13' 5" Deep: 22’8”
Designed Complement: Officers, 34; Enlisted, 295
Designed Shaft Horsepower: 60,000
Designed Speed: 36 knots
Screws: Two
Rudder: One
Stacks: Two
Tactical diameter: 950 yards at 30 knots
Endurance: 4,800 nautical miles at 15 knots.
At launch, Taylor carried a high mount intended for a 1.1-inch anti-aircraft gun between the Nos. 3 and 4 5-inch gunhouses, but experience with ships already in service showed this tended to overheat and jam in service. As commissioned, therefore, Taylor was the second Bath-built 2100-tonner—after Strong— to mount one of the newly-available twin 40mm Bofors in this location, plus a second 40mm twin on the fantail, giving her the typical 1942-43 armament for an early high-bridge Fletcher:
Primary: 5 x 5-inch/38 cal. in five single mounts
Long-range anti-aircraft: 4 x 40mm Bofors in two twin mounts
Short-range anti-aircraft: (probably 7) x 20mm Oerlikon in single mounts
Torpedo Tubes: 10 x 21-inch in two quintuple mounts
ASW: 2 racks for 600-lb. charges; 6 “K”-guns for 300-lb. charges
Her electronics were also typical:
Radar: SC (air search) and SG (surface search), Mk 37 (fire control)
Sonar: QC
In December 1943–January 1944, Taylor was modified, with her forwardward 20mm singles replaced by 40mm twin Bofors. The 40mm twin on the fantail was removed, and 40mm twins were mounted in the waist—the typical 1943–1944 armament:
Primary: 5 x 5-inch/38 cal. in five single mounts
Long-range anti-aircraft: 10 x 40mm Bofors in five twin mounts
Short-range anti-aircraft: 7 x 20mm Oerlikon in single mounts
Torpedo Tubes: 10 x 21-inch in two quintuple mounts
ASW: 2 racks for 600-lb. charges; 6 “K”-guns for 300-lb. charges
LOL. Not ever?
You know we appreciate anyone answering anything for us around here. This place belongs to all of us. In fact we depend on it now more than ever as we can't get here as often now that we have the store.
"I stands all I can stands, cause I can't stands one more!"
ROTFLOL.
Good morning feather.
((HUGS))Good morning, Snippy. How's it going?
LOL.
Good morning Mayor.
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It is difficult to understand how the Lord Jesus could pray for His brutal executioners to be forgiven (Luke 23:34). We often try to excuse our unforgiving hearts by arguing that He was God, whereas we are sinful creatures. But Jesus calls us to follow His divine example.