Navy practice of sinking old ships raises pollution concerns

AP via CoCo Times ^ | 3/3/12 | JASON DEAREN Associated Press

[roadcat]

This happened in 2005. I wonder if concerns are being raised now, because Obama would rather give obsolete carriers to the Chinese government. Just one of those things that make you wonder...

[birdsman]

My old ship (USS Conolly) was sunk this way. I watched the video on youtube, and it was kind of sad seeing her sink. It also makes me feel old, since I was a part of the Commissioning crew.
I have to agree with the greenies on this one. We shouldn’t sink these old ships. They should be taken apart and all of the pieces dumped on the front lawn of one of these ecologists. By having this old junk placed on their lawn, they can show the world how green they are. :)

[USMCPOP]

They should just tow them and dump them on the cross-Bronx expressway. There wouldn’t be much left after a week.

[Carry_Okie]

Why the hell don’t they scrap those ships? They’re worth good money. They could manufacture a soluble foam target for a lot less.

[El Gato]

You can’t just drive or tow the ship into a big melting pot and jump off before it tips in!

True, but wouldn't it be something to see if you could? :)

[El Gato]

They could manufacture a soluble foam target for a lot less.

True, but that wouldn't tell you much about how good your torps, missiles, bombs and shells would be in sinking ships that could still shoot back.

[El Gato]

They could manufacture a soluble foam target for a lot less.

True, but that wouldn't tell you much about how good your torps, missiles, bombs and shells would be in sinking ships that could still shoot back.

[SunkenCiv]

It’s kind of a waste.

We should load these obsolete ships with greeniacs before the target practice.

Thanks SmithL.

[Blood of Tyrants]

They do take out the most valuable metals; copper and brass.

[Robe]

Just something to ponder : think of the number of merchant ships and warships sunk in WWI and WWII.
All went down with weapons and cargo semi intact.
Doesn't seem to be causing world ending events

[nascarnation]

All went down with weapons and cargo semi intact. Doesn't seem to be causing world ending events .

A lot of us old guys played with balls of mercury from a thermometer when we were kids in the 50s. Now it takes a 3-man HAZ-MAT team to deal with it.

Environmentalism has become the liberals substitute for religion.

[386wt]

LOL.

Someone should ask NYC where all those old subway cars went when they were retired.

[Robe]

A lot of us old guys played with balls of mercury from a thermometer when we were kids in the 50s

Count me in with that group, it was fascinating to see the little silver ball move around like water on a greased surface. Remember pushing on it so it would break into two little balls that would come together again.

[W. W. SMITH]

Why don’t they cut it up for scrap?
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Because the greenies screamed at all the pollution generated when cutting one up. This screaming caused the insurance companies to raise their premiums sky high making ship salvage unprofitable.

[Oztrich Boy]

This is how it begins. First the Navy is banned from sinking old ships, then it is banned from sinking any ships. Then they ask why is there a Navy anyway if they can’t sink ships?

[SmithL]

SARCHASM: The gulf between the maker of sarcastic wit and the person who just doesn’t get it.

[daniel1212]

Sinking these is absurd. My three neighbors close the Atlantic all do metal recycling and would be happy to go to get their hands on this, with lots of friends!

And many others who live in it.

[calex59]

A lot of us old guys played with balls of mercury from a thermometer when we were kids in the 50s

Not only that, all the old prospectors used to use mercury to pick up the gold out of their pans because it would pick up the gold and leave the junk. Later they could retrieve the Gold. I remember my Uncle doing that when I was a kid(he was a miner before they shut the mines in CA down during WWII) and he panned for gold during the 50s, even though it was illegal(can you believe that sh**?)to own gold at that time thanks the communist a**hat FDR.

[Robe]

i remember my Dad, saying when ever Roosevelt's name being mentioned saying “ "That Son Of A Btich’ .. I never understood why until years later