Battleships

[3fan4life]

They are pretty cool  I have thought about taking Brenda on one of those tours. But I don't think she'd find it interesting like we do. Maybe my grandson one of these days. Thanks for sharing, brings back some memories. Did you go down in any of the sleeping berths ?

You might be surprised, I have taken my wife along on the USS North Carolina and The USS Yorktown.

She's not much of a history buff either, but she did enjoy seeing the ships.

We've been talking about going to tour the USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, VA when we get the chance and she's more than up for it.

[3fan4life]

The racks-you didn't call them beds-were not known for comfort but after being awake and Working for anywhere from 24 to 51 hours you really did not care bout comfort at that point. And in the case of the older Ship I was Serving on-U S S Yorktown C V S-10-the sea water evaporators were not very efficient in warm water. Sometimes you rinsed the soap from your shower off with salt water. NOT a fun deal when it's over 100 degrees F with 80 to 90% humidity. Even though tired I looked forward to flying. Hotter and sweatier-survival gear over a flight suit and a helmet and very heavy hot boots-but sometimes I could catch a nap of 35 minutes to an hour before we got to our patrol station. IF my heart and lungs could stand it would Not mind running up and down the ladders tween decks again. I could stand to lose bout 25 pounds or so.  Had an old Chief-E 8-tell me-you ain't on a luxury liner boy this Be a United States Navy ManOWar. And I Never forgot that. Battle Ships Carriers Destroyers Cruisers Submarines Military Air Craft are All designed to kill other military vehicles and the people that man them. You do NOT wanna be on the receiving end of those 16 inch Naval Rifles. Wonder how long it would take to spool up an old Battle Ship and train crews to operate again if they are ever needed? RIDE SAFE.

I toured the Yorktown several years ago.

I don't remember having to climb any ladders as part of the tour, I do remember some pretty steep stairs though.

The climbing wasn't bad but I wasn't trying to run them either.

I do remember saying to my wife that there's a good reason why the average age of a sailor is 19 yrs old.

[cookiedough]

Years ago when I was 16 my brother Wayne and I went on a road trip down to Beloxi MS to visit one of his air force buddies. While we were there we went over to see the Alabama. That thing was huge. We also toured the sub anchored near by the US Drum. Was very cool.......

Not cool, more like impressive.  Did the Alabama as well and if anyone has not seen one of these, well worth the minor expense to spend 3-4 hours touring one of these impressive battleships.  If anyone has kids or now grandkids ages say 5 and up,  they will thoroughly enjoy the walkaround am sure of it.  Never knew there were like from what I recollect 4 or so below deck levels to tour, did not think the ship sat that low in the water, but it must. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

This thread got me thinking about visiting my old ship, the USS New Orleans LPH-11. I remember hearing about its decommissioning. Sadly, I find it's been given an ignominious death.   I don't know why this bothers me ? Just seems sad for such a grand old girl to be drug out for target practice and sunk.  

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Orleans_(LPH-11)

[old2soon]

3fan4life-There were places they wouldn't let me tour on the U S S Yorktown even though I had served on her in the 60s. Insurance liability and such like. The only thing remotely close to stairs I remember was the escalator from the hanger bay to the island at flight deck level. Helmets nav bags survival vests weapons-never did git on a scale to see how much extra weight was involved in all the stuff I needed and added after suggestion from guys that had been flying far longer then me. Someone else that has been to sea for the Navy can correct me if I are wrong but I Believe in General Quarters it was up and forward on the starboard side and down and aft on the port side and directly port to starboard or starboard to port on the cross passage ways. And the average non military type would be surprised how Fast during General Quarters we could get from one end of the ship to the other. Meathead-How Long were you aboard your ship? I was on the Yorktown a total of near on 2 years spread over 2 cruises. She becomes your home. Even when tied up in port and you come back knee walkin drunk-She IS your home. Went thru a couple of good blows on Her-did Not lose any people or planes-She was Home. My old ship-U S S Yorktown C V S 10-is tied up as a museum in Charleston S C. She is NOT doing what she was designed for-sailing the vast oceans of the World and Projecting Military Might as Directed by the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. BUT she was NOT used for target practice. So there is that. You and I brought alive inanimate objects and helped use them for what they were Meant to do. I understand that twinge you are feeling. My Fighting Lady took me to War-twice-And brought me back safe and sound. So I AM grateful to Her for that. RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

3fan4life-There were places they wouldn't let me tour on the U S S Yorktown even though I had served on her in the 60s. Insurance liability and such like. The only thing remotely close to stairs I remember was the escalator from the hanger bay to the island at flight deck level. Helmets nav bags survival vests weapons-never did git on a scale to see how much extra weight was involved in all the stuff I needed and added after suggestion from guys that had been flying far longer then me. Someone else that has been to sea for the Navy can correct me if I are wrong but I Believe in General Quarters it was up and forward on the starboard side and down and aft on the port side and directly port to starboard or starboard to port on the cross passage ways. And the average non military type would be surprised how Fast during General Quarters we could get from one end of the ship to the other. Meathead-How Long were you aboard your ship? I was on the Yorktown a total of near on 2 years spread over 2 cruises. She becomes your home. Even when tied up in port and you come back knee walkin drunk-She IS your home. Went thru a couple of good blows on Her-did Not lose any people or planes-She was Home. My old ship-U S S Yorktown C V S 10-is tied up as a museum in Charleston S C. She is NOT doing what she was designed for-sailing the vast oceans of the World and Projecting Military Might as Directed by the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. BUT she was NOT used for target practice. So there is that. You and I brought alive inanimate objects and helped use them for what they were Meant to do. I understand that twinge you are feeling. My Fighting Lady took me to War-twice-And brought me back safe and sound. So I AM grateful to Her for that. RIDE SAFE.

2 years. A little in San Diego , a lot on a West Pac, a little in dry dock in Bremerton. It was home, for sure. 

[Hook#3287]

This thread got me thinking about visiting my old ship, the USS New Orleans LPH-11. I remember hearing about its decommissioning. Sadly, I find it's been given an ignominious death.   I don't know why this bothers me ? Just seems sad for such a grand old girl to be drug out for target practice and sunk.  

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Orleans_(LPH-11)

I find it normal to feel bad about a part of your life being bombed and sunk.