On 3/15/2015 12:54 PM, Justan Olphart wrote:
On 3/15/2015 8:49 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/15/2015 7:55 AM, Wayne.B wrote:

http://photos.marinetraffic.com/ais/showphoto.aspx?photoid=426126



Here's a picture I took back in 1971 aboard the second ship I served on
in the Navy, the USS Lester (DE-1022). For reference, the Lester was
315' LOA. If you look closely you can make out the stern light on the
rear of the fantail in the heavy seas.

The winch and black "hose" was the prototype, passive towed array sonar
system that was called "ITASS" at the time. The box on the left is
actually a fairly large metal "shed" that contained the ITASS system
computers, displays and communications gear used by the operators.

Obviously, this is the early development system that was retro-fitted to
the ship on a temporary basis for testing and qualification. Today's
ships has the systems and equipment that evolved out of this integrated
into the ship's design, so it is not as apparent and obvious.

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy303/Eisboch/Lester%20Fantail.jpg


Following seas can scare the bejesus out of you.



Especially on an old Century Express with a tendency to bow steer. :-)

Those were not following seas in the picture on the DE. Confused maybe,
but not all coming from behind the ship. This was somewhere in the
Mediterranean Sea. I was never stateside on the Lester. I transferred
to the Lester in Naples from the first ship (USS Van Voorhis) that I was
on, along with the ITASS equipment.