Vessel Strikes Navy Ship in Persian Gulf

excite.com ^ | Dec 6, 6:23 PM (ET) | By ROBERT BURNS

[luv2ndamend]

WASHINGTON (AP) - An unidentified vessel struck a U.S. Navy destroyer Friday in the northern Persian Gulf, punching a small hole in the destroyer's side but causing no injuries, U.S. military officials said.

The USS Paul Hamilton was in no danger and continued operating after the collision, the officials said. The small hole in the all-steel hull was above the water line.

There was no immediate word on the type or nationality of the other vessel, but the officials said there was no indication of hostile action.

The Paul Hamilton has been conducting maritime intercept operations in the Gulf in support of the global war on terrorism when the unidentified vessel struck it at 8:24 p.m. local time (12:24 p.m. EST). It is under investigation.

The Paul Hamilton, whose home port is Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is part of the USS Abraham Lincoln battle group patrolling the Persian Gulf. The battle group is scheduled to return to the United States this month.

The destroyer is 505 feet long and has 32 officers and 313 enlisted sailors aboard. It was commissioned in 1995 and is in the Arleigh Burke class of destroyers. One of its sister ships, the USS Cole, was rammed by terrorists while refueling in Aden, Yemen, in October 2000, killing 17 sailors.

The Paul Hamilton is equipped with radar systems designed to detect seaborne and airborne threats at great distances. It is armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and Standard anti-aircraft missiles.

[luv2ndamend]

[cmsgop]

Huh?

[Mr. Silverback]

Here's the ship's website:

http://www.paul-hamilton.navy.mil/

[Mr. Silverback]

From the Website:

Born on 16 October 1762 in Saint Paul's Parish, South Carolina, Paul Hamilton was the son of Archibald and Rebecca (Brandford) Hamilton. At the young age of 16, Paul Hamilton fought under Generals Gates, Marion, and Harden during the American Revolution.

Paul Hamilton was the nation's third Secretary of the Navy, serving under President James Madison from 1809 to 1813. As Secretary of the Navy he was a strong proponent of military preparedness, especially sea fortifications. Although he wanted to strengthen the Navy, he found the Congress hostile and the President indifferent to his ideas. One of his greatest achievements under his tenure was the passage of the Naval Hospitals Act of 1811. In 1813 he resigned his post as Secretary of the Navy.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary, he served the state of South Carolina in a number of public offices, including State Senator, 1794, 1798-1799, Comptroller of Finance, 1800-1804, as well as Governor of South Carolina, 1804-1806.

On 10 October 1782 he married Mary Wilkinson. Paul Hamilton died on 30 June 1819 in Beaufort, South Carolina.

[luv2ndamend]

Thanks!

[Mr. Silverback]

[MHGinTN]

I'm wonder, in a war zone, why was a small vessel allowed to get close enough to ram her?

[MoJo2001]

Perhaps, they hit a boat that had terrorists on it! If that's the case, I hope that boat sank!

[skeeter]

I see "unidentified" vessels still have no problem approaching to within spitting distance of our warships. Amazing.

[blam]

Did I hear earlier that an Australian ship was involved?

[Rome2000]

Do those things come with a crows nest?

[luv2ndamend]

Yeah, they do not give alot of details on how this ship got so close.

[myself6]

I am almost of the oppinion that the skipper needs to be relieved of command. Isnt this EXACTLY what allowed OPFOR to win the massive military exercises not to long ago?

If that small boat had been packed with explosives, that ship and those sailors would be gone. I hope this drives home the fact that these ships ARE vulnerable and should be protected at ALL costs. NO unauthorized vessel should be allowed to get close enough to sink it.

[Shermy]

[NormsRevenge]

The Paul Hamilton is equipped with radar systems designed to detect seaborne and airborne threats at great distances.

Good question.

[MHGinTN]

I read somewhere that they used (the exercise winners) off-the-shelf radar jamming devices available to drivers!

[tall_tex]

It is now Captian whatitsname, should very soon be Seaman whatitsname.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Well, sure looks like that pipsqueak slipped through, and if it wasn't a "hostile" vessel it wasn't even trying. Imagine if a flotilla of them sneaked in, full of dynamite and Islamokamikazes. It would not be pretty.

[xfmrman]

Relieved of command at the least - perhaps a court marshal and for his subs a captain's mast...

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

This is strange. Why would the destroyer let the other boat get close enough to collide?