[Islander7]

The Navy has struggled for decades with the issue of superstructure cracking. In the mid-1970s it changed the temper of the aluminum alloy used for cruisers. That solved some degradation problems, but stress-corrosion cracking continues to occur, Johnson said.

Johnson said the cracks on the Port Royal are not related to the ship's Feb. 5, 2009, grounding in 14 to 22 feet of shoal water off Honolulu Airport's reef runway. The 567-foot warship was stuck for four days as wave action rocked the vessel on the reef.

[MichaelP]

Remember when the British destroyer sheffield was destroyed by an argentine exocet missile? Its aluminum superstructure burned like kindling wood. I thought the US Navy swore off aluminum after that...

Mike

[Mr. Silverback]

Bump for later

[mmercier]

Problems with cracking aluminum hulls date back to the “Liberty Ships”.

They will end up wrapping steel bands around them.

[US Navy Vet]

This is a PRIME example of trying to stuff 10 lbs of stuff into a 5 lb sock. These hulls were originally meant for Spruance Class DD and they worked our splendidly for that however when the Navy tried to stuff a Tico Class DG into them they were stretched to the limit. Also the shipyards where they were built were not known for quality work.

[org.whodat]

before the warship ran aground.

I think the correct words would be driven aground, unless it is like one of those suv's that run around killing people.

[bygolly]

From the bridge in Feb 2010 ...

[Cheetahcat]

Aluminum is used in termite.

[quadrant]

I'm not an expert in these matters, but would it not have been wiser to use a mild (or light) steel in these ships rather than aluminum.

[Thrownatbirth]

You think the Navy would have learned from the DLGs/CGs in the 70's. On the Leahy (DLG-16), we had to frantically shore up a V-shaped stuperstructure crack at the main deck level in a sea state 6 storm. The superstructure was literally being torn from the main deck by heavy seas and we took on enough water fully submerge our fantail. Even the Chief Boats didn't think we were going to make it.

I remember thinking how embarassing it would be to die sinking in the Med off Mallorca.

[MSF BU]

Well, the coed crew will have plenty of time to have fun in the port, so there is an upside after all.