"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:50:21 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCj4L160Slg



Gotta love those Brits. Sitting on the fantail, sipping a beer.

Eisboch

That rooster tail looks weird. I spent many hours on the fantail of a
similar size/weight destroyer doing 27 knots. (John King DDG-3)
We had no rooster tail. We had more HP according to the specs - 70k
versus 50k, and probably better acceleration, as I recall our
strengths.
Their screws must be radically different to create that spray.
Guessing about that, of course.

--Vic


Check this out:

http://www.dt.navy.mil/pao/excerpts%...nFlap9_01.html

Eisboch

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:25:54 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

That rooster tail looks weird. I spent many hours on the fantail of a
similar size/weight destroyer doing 27 knots. (John King DDG-3)
We had no rooster tail. We had more HP according to the specs - 70k
versus 50k, and probably better acceleration, as I recall our
strengths.
Their screws must be radically different to create that spray.
Guessing about that, of course.

--Vic


Check this out:

http://www.dt.navy.mil/pao/excerpts%...nFlap9_01.html

Thanks. Very cool. It's a wonder this is only a recent innovation,
but I guess the Navy is slow to come to such changes.
I read the entire article, and noted there are required changes to the
screws. I did a quick google to see if the RN is using the flaps, but
didn't find anything. I'll keep looking. That rooster tail really
spoils the view from the fantail, and the waterfall noise is
irritating to boot.
Some of my fondest Navy memories are of spending off watch hours on
the fantail when at flank speed. The screws beating the water - I
think about 60 turns at flank speed - created a deep thrumming that
went right through you. And it was my boilers producing the power.
Back in the fireroom the screaming auxiliaries, the burners roaring,
the sound of steam whistling through the generating tubes, into the
main, and the starboard shaft spinning in its alley all gave me an
additional vision of the end result - fantail screws beating the
water, pushing us on.
A ship is really a marvelous beast.
Unless the damn thing is sinking, of course.
Thanks again for stirring some memories.

--Vic

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...

A ship is really a marvelous beast.
Unless the damn thing is sinking, of course.
Thanks again for stirring some memories.

--Vic



Believe me, the memories are mutual. The wake full of fluorescents at night
and the sky filled with millions of more stars than you ever noticed before.

Eisboch

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:58:42 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:25:54 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

That rooster tail looks weird. I spent many hours on the fantail of a
similar size/weight destroyer doing 27 knots. (John King DDG-3)
We had no rooster tail. We had more HP according to the specs - 70k
versus 50k, and probably better acceleration, as I recall our
strengths.
Their screws must be radically different to create that spray.
Guessing about that, of course.

--Vic


Check this out:

http://www.dt.navy.mil/pao/excerpts%...nFlap9_01.html

Thanks. Very cool. It's a wonder this is only a recent innovation,
but I guess the Navy is slow to come to such changes.
I read the entire article, and noted there are required changes to the
screws. I did a quick google to see if the RN is using the flaps, but
didn't find anything. I'll keep looking. That rooster tail really
spoils the view from the fantail, and the waterfall noise is
irritating to boot.
Some of my fondest Navy memories are of spending off watch hours on
the fantail when at flank speed. The screws beating the water - I
think about 60 turns at flank speed - created a deep thrumming that
went right through you. And it was my boilers producing the power.
Back in the fireroom the screaming auxiliaries, the burners roaring,
the sound of steam whistling through the generating tubes, into the
main, and the starboard shaft spinning in its alley all gave me an
additional vision of the end result - fantail screws beating the
water, pushing us on.
A ship is really a marvelous beast.
Unless the damn thing is sinking, of course.
Thanks again for stirring some memories.

--Vic


I sure envy you guys. One of my wildest dreams was to go for a destroyer
ride in the North Sea. I did get offered a ride while in San Diego, working
with an Army diving detachment, but I ended up having to change the plans
about a week before the scheduled ride. We would have been out for about a
week. One of the big regrets in life!

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 08:40:30 -0500, John H.
wrote:


I sure envy you guys. One of my wildest dreams was to go for a destroyer
ride in the North Sea. I did get offered a ride while in San Diego, working
with an Army diving detachment, but I ended up having to change the plans
about a week before the scheduled ride. We would have been out for about a
week. One of the big regrets in life!

You would have liked it. But if you really want do it you still can
get a ride to Europe via the North Sea on any number of merchant
vessels. Maybe even steam driven. That's how I'm going to Europe
when my wife gets the time and demands I visit Poland with her.
I don't fly. The QE2 prices aren't bad either when you figure it's a
nice room with a balcony over the sea for 4 or 5 days, all the food
you can eat, and transport to Europe.
I can even get on a ship here in Chicago that goes to Europe.
Won't be much different than a destroyer if my only visit to the North
Sea is any indication, since the seas didn't allow for much speed.
That was my only NATO operation.
Here's what you won't do.
1. Come alongside a Limey oiler for refueling expecting them to get a
line across with a monkey fist, and suddenly see them shoot a line
cannon instead. The damn spear on it penetrated the 1/2' thick,
wall of a 6" wide aluminum stanchion about 20 feet from where I
was standing. Our deck apes weren't happy at all as they struggled to
pull it out, I swear I could hear the Brits laughing.
Most of our superstructure was aluminum.
2. Highline across rough seas to the cruiser U.S,S. Columbus as a
casualty control observer.
I watched a few guys go before me. Our ships would roll apart and up
they would go, then down as the ships rolled toward each other, and
the chair went low enough for the first guy his feet were in the
choppy sea moving at maybe 15 knots, which was our speed needed to
keep steady way in those waters.
He was spun around, the rope was tightened, and things went smoothly
after that.
My concern was if the carrying rope broke. Though we wore a life
jacket, the chair and pulley were heavy steel, and would take you
right to the bottom if you didn't get out of it quick.
Suddenly the chair was back and somebody was yelling "Smith!"
I ran over, jumped into the chair, was buckled in, and off I went.
I might have been given some quick instructions, but don't remember.
I don't really remember much of the ride as I was hauled 50 or 60 feet
across to the Columbus. I didn't get wet. I was probably holding my
breath anyway.
What I remember well is the deck apes on the Columbus grabbing the
hanging straps of the chair to steady it, and being lowered quickly to
the deck. I grabbed my seatbelt to free myself, and damned if I
couldn't get myself loose. One of the apes quickly freed me and
I got out of the way. I think my legs started shaking thinking about
that rope breaking and me sinking to the bottom.
I made damned sure I knew how to unbuckle myself from that chair
before I highlined back a couple days later.
I can't for the life of me even remember the return trip, but here I
am, so it was a success.

--Vic.

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 08:53:15 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 08:40:30 -0500, John H.
wrote:


I sure envy you guys. One of my wildest dreams was to go for a destroyer
ride in the North Sea. I did get offered a ride while in San Diego, working
with an Army diving detachment, but I ended up having to change the plans
about a week before the scheduled ride. We would have been out for about a
week. One of the big regrets in life!

You would have liked it. But if you really want do it you still can
get a ride to Europe via the North Sea on any number of merchant
vessels. Maybe even steam driven. That's how I'm going to Europe
when my wife gets the time and demands I visit Poland with her.
I don't fly. The QE2 prices aren't bad either when you figure it's a
nice room with a balcony over the sea for 4 or 5 days, all the food
you can eat, and transport to Europe.
I can even get on a ship here in Chicago that goes to Europe.
Won't be much different than a destroyer if my only visit to the North
Sea is any indication, since the seas didn't allow for much speed.
That was my only NATO operation.
Here's what you won't do.
1. Come alongside a Limey oiler for refueling expecting them to get a
line across with a monkey fist, and suddenly see them shoot a line
cannon instead. The damn spear on it penetrated the 1/2' thick,
wall of a 6" wide aluminum stanchion about 20 feet from where I
was standing. Our deck apes weren't happy at all as they struggled to
pull it out, I swear I could hear the Brits laughing.
Most of our superstructure was aluminum.
2. Highline across rough seas to the cruiser U.S,S. Columbus as a
casualty control observer.
I watched a few guys go before me. Our ships would roll apart and up
they would go, then down as the ships rolled toward each other, and
the chair went low enough for the first guy his feet were in the
choppy sea moving at maybe 15 knots, which was our speed needed to
keep steady way in those waters.
He was spun around, the rope was tightened, and things went smoothly
after that.
My concern was if the carrying rope broke. Though we wore a life
jacket, the chair and pulley were heavy steel, and would take you
right to the bottom if you didn't get out of it quick.
Suddenly the chair was back and somebody was yelling "Smith!"
I ran over, jumped into the chair, was buckled in, and off I went.
I might have been given some quick instructions, but don't remember.
I don't really remember much of the ride as I was hauled 50 or 60 feet
across to the Columbus. I didn't get wet. I was probably holding my
breath anyway.
What I remember well is the deck apes on the Columbus grabbing the
hanging straps of the chair to steady it, and being lowered quickly to
the deck. I grabbed my seatbelt to free myself, and damned if I
couldn't get myself loose. One of the apes quickly freed me and
I got out of the way. I think my legs started shaking thinking about
that rope breaking and me sinking to the bottom.
I made damned sure I knew how to unbuckle myself from that chair
before I highlined back a couple days later.
I can't for the life of me even remember the return trip, but here I
am, so it was a success.

--Vic.

I've read about some of those hair raising chair rides. Don't know if I'd
have the balls now to do it. When in my 20's? Maybe.

No, the QE2 wouldn't do. It would have to be a destroyer so I could stand
in the bridge and watch the water come crashing over the bow. Hey, that's
the dream. Maybe the Navy could make some bucks taking joyriders along!

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:57:06 -0500, John H.
wrote:


I've read about some of those hair raising chair rides. Don't know if I'd
have the balls now to do it. When in my 20's? Maybe.

I think I was 19, maybe 20. My balls weren't an issue. I just used
the Navy's.

No, the QE2 wouldn't do. It would have to be a destroyer so I could stand
in the bridge and watch the water come crashing over the bow. Hey, that's
the dream. Maybe the Navy could make some bucks taking joyriders along!

You might get that on a cargo ship passage. Just bring the Captain a
bottle of whatever suits his nationality, and you can get yourself on
the bridge. It's not scared of you if you ain't scared of it.
But even the Navy can't guarantee heavy seas.
Man, you got me going. I used to go up to the flying bridge or the
walkway in front of the bridge windows to watch the bow bury itself.
I was more like the ship dove into the sea than the sea crashing over
the bow.
I was *always* the only guy out there. It was wet, and usually cold.
Gave me those "Victory at Sea" Captain-like moments, a nice break
from the usual fireroom drudgery.
But in 3 1/2 years on that destroyer, and maybe 500 days actually at
sea, we were in seas like that probably less than 10 times.
All main deck doors were secured, and I had to wend my way forward and
topside internally, climbing ladders by the CIC, radar and sonar
operations.
Though watching the bow bury itself and then struggle up again
was exciting, it wasn't particularly scary. Maybe because I was
already soaked with spray and wind, the bow failing to emerge from the
waves and me floating in the sea wouldn't have been such a shocking
transition.
OTOH, while walking down an internal passageway when the bow took a
dive, and you were suddenly walking downhill, every step downhill
added to the fear factor, because you were waiting for that sucker to
come out of the dive.
It was like being in a long coffin on a trip to visit Davy Jones.
When it came up from the dive, the whole ship would shudder,as if to
say "Whew, I'm back! Maybe we'll go later."
There was a main deck expansion joint just aft of midship, and you
could watch it move in such seas. I always figured that's where she
would break in half.
I'm glad I did my Navy duty and merchant marining before the Edmund
Fitzgerald went down. My imagination is active enough.
I wonder if they allow that song on ships?

--Vic

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:11:14 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:57:06 -0500, John H.
wrote:


I've read about some of those hair raising chair rides. Don't know if I'd
have the balls now to do it. When in my 20's? Maybe.

I think I was 19, maybe 20. My balls weren't an issue. I just used
the Navy's.

No, the QE2 wouldn't do. It would have to be a destroyer so I could stand
in the bridge and watch the water come crashing over the bow. Hey, that's
the dream. Maybe the Navy could make some bucks taking joyriders along!

You might get that on a cargo ship passage. Just bring the Captain a
bottle of whatever suits his nationality, and you can get yourself on
the bridge. It's not scared of you if you ain't scared of it.
But even the Navy can't guarantee heavy seas.
Man, you got me going. I used to go up to the flying bridge or the
walkway in front of the bridge windows to watch the bow bury itself.
I was more like the ship dove into the sea than the sea crashing over
the bow.
I was *always* the only guy out there. It was wet, and usually cold.
Gave me those "Victory at Sea" Captain-like moments, a nice break
from the usual fireroom drudgery.
But in 3 1/2 years on that destroyer, and maybe 500 days actually at
sea, we were in seas like that probably less than 10 times.
All main deck doors were secured, and I had to wend my way forward and
topside internally, climbing ladders by the CIC, radar and sonar
operations.
Though watching the bow bury itself and then struggle up again
was exciting, it wasn't particularly scary. Maybe because I was
already soaked with spray and wind, the bow failing to emerge from the
waves and me floating in the sea wouldn't have been such a shocking
transition.
OTOH, while walking down an internal passageway when the bow took a
dive, and you were suddenly walking downhill, every step downhill
added to the fear factor, because you were waiting for that sucker to
come out of the dive.
It was like being in a long coffin on a trip to visit Davy Jones.
When it came up from the dive, the whole ship would shudder,as if to
say "Whew, I'm back! Maybe we'll go later."
There was a main deck expansion joint just aft of midship, and you
could watch it move in such seas. I always figured that's where she
would break in half.
I'm glad I did my Navy duty and merchant marining before the Edmund
Fitzgerald went down. My imagination is active enough.
I wonder if they allow that song on ships?

--Vic

YES! You know what I'm talking about. Your description of the times on the
flying bridge is exactly what I've pictured in my imagination. Very cool!