[Presbyterian Reporter]

Thanks for confirming the starboard photo is pre-collision.

I am still puzzled by the lack of paint scrapes or dents to the Crystal’s bulbous bow.

We see the scrapes down to the metal on the Crystal where it slid against the superstructure of the Fitzgerald. I am guessing the superstructure of the Fitzgerald is 1/4 inch steel to maybe 1/2 inch max.

Meanwhile, the bulbous bow hits the hull of the Fitzgerald, punches a 10 or 14 foot hole in the hull, and nary a scratch to the paint job. I am guessing the hull of the Fitzgerald is 3/4 inch steel. So why no damage to the bulbous bow?

Maybe I need to wait until Sept when the Navy tells us. Or maybe we need to send a FR sleuth to the Crystal drydock which I believe will be in Thailand.

[doorgunner69]

Cannot say for the destroyer design of the Ftiz, but the Ticonderoga Aegis cruisers were mostly aluminum. I gather there was some steel surrounding critical spaces for a modicum of ballistic protection, but mostly aluminum. I would suspect similar desigh on this Aegis destroyer class.

All that electronic stuff above the waterline makes things top-heavy, hence the liberal use of aluminum in the design. The Tico class I rode on rolled like a drunken pig unless really hauling the mail.

That may affect your analysis of the damage. Steel (ACX) cuts through aluminum rather easily.