Keeping the blogosphere posted on the goings on of the world of submarines since late 2004... and mocking and belittling general foolishness wherever it may be found. Idaho's first and foremost submarine blog. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me; don't call me at home.)
A reader sent in a bunch of pictures of an SSGN (probably USS Florida) operating out of Port Canaveral yesterday. Here's one of the pictures that shows how the Dry Dock Shelter fits onto the SSGNs for those who haven't seen it yet:
I'll try to post some more of the pictures later; they're all really good.
posted by Bubblehead at 11:57 PM
I'm Joel Kennedy -- a married, 50-something year old retired submarine officer and esophageal cancer survivor with three kids who has finally made the transition to civilian life. Politically, I'm a Radical Moderate. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me. Don't call me at home.)
21 Comments:
Weird photo, if you look, it looks like the sail/bow are about 20 degrees canted to the port side in relation to the turtleback and dds.
I wonder how that was done in the photo?
8/27/2007 2:18 AM
The reason it looks like that is because in order to support DDS and ASDS, the OHIO turtleback was strengthened and widened in the forward part. So from this perspective, there is a definite angle between the sail/bow and the turtleback - but it's just the turtleback flaring out, not the sail/bow being canted. Hope that makes sense. There are some other pictures (from bow-on) that show it clearly.
8/27/2007 5:54 AM
Port Canaveral brings back memories of the Green House, a bar on the pier there that alternately has been on and off limits over the years.
8/27/2007 6:19 AM
It also looks like they removed the bouy and the countermeasures
DolphinDave
ex-FTB1(SS)
USS Michigan SSBN-727(G) 82-88
8/27/2007 10:14 AM
For some video of FLORIDA doing business, check out FLORIDA TLAM launch.
8/27/2007 12:32 PM
Okay...I'll ante up & ask the dumb question: do SSGNs have two crews, or one? In other words, was a sex change involved in their makeover? ;-)
8/27/2007 8:38 PM
Two crews.
And the plan is to swap crews in Diego Garcia.
You got to love the attitude behind swapping crews there. With up to 154 Tommahawks, we own the Indian Ocean, which is the lifeline for oil to Peking.
8/27/2007 10:47 PM
Good eye rebootinit. It's an illusion created by the fact that the superstructure aft of the sail was widened significantly to accept dual ASDS/DDS.
8/28/2007 4:44 AM
It's nice to see the SSGNs getting back to the fleet. What's the story with ASDS? I see the DDS, but no ASDS. Has anyone heard?
PS Hey, Bubblehead- I waiting with baited breath for your commentary on the stellar behavior of Sen. Craig (R) of Idaho.
8/28/2007 5:09 AM
FYI The correct terminology for a DDS is Dry Deck Shelter not Dry Dock Shelter.
8/28/2007 5:56 AM
This picture doesn't look right. It may be a perspective problem but it looks like about 100ft of the missile compartment is missing. This photo looks like it's been significantly retouched.
8/28/2007 7:51 AM
I am not buying the theory that the odd perspective in the photo is being caused by a widening of the deck aft of the sail. I believe there is a major conspiracy going on here.
Take a close look at the angle of the port side of the sail relative to the port side of the missile deck superstructure. The angles should be the same. They obviously are not.
It is obvious that this is a conspiracy, by the American-hating French swine, to dis-credit the United States through illustrations of our inability to build straight submarines.
As further evidence, all photos I could find of French built submarines appeared to look very straight, implying that they build straight subs and we build crooked ones.
Hope that clears up all questions in this matter.
Birdie
8/28/2007 11:18 AM
No, the photo hasn't been retouched. I was standing on the pier when it was taken. =)
The missile compartment is still the same size, but topside (as previously mentioned) has been restructured so you don't really see the hatches like you can on an SSBN.
I also noted the lack of countermeasures, but then I realized that each hull has a slightly different CM configuration. I don't recall if the Florida's config is STBD-only or not, but it's possible.
Barring that, maybe they did remove the CMs. I also don't know if the comms buoys are gone or not, but they don't make much sense on an SSGN unless they're going with the Battle Control concept.
The Green House is still around, and MWR is still trying to break even running it. They closed down the bar side about a year ago, only opening it when we have units in port.
8/28/2007 3:49 PM
ET1(SS) Writes:
I am a reservist doing my 2 weeks on the Frank Cable in Guam, sitting through drills (Fast Cruise) ahhhh its good to be a "rider".
Anyhow, I am responding to an earlier post on Diego Garcia, word on the street is that the Emory S. Land is relocating there after her yard period.
8/28/2007 10:13 PM
The Green House! I remember Fireman Frank trying to beat up an NIS agent there for acting like a Commie. 'Cause Fireman Frank was a Fearless Underwater CommieKiller.
8/29/2007 6:13 AM
The Green House--you gotta love it when there's a bar right on the pier!
8/29/2007 2:11 PM
Ain't it a small world. We went to my daughters middle school open house and in talking with her homeroom teacher found out that his son is an ELT on the Florida. So, I let him know that as a former ELT/SS, I would be happy to come to his science class and talk about subs/nuke power, etc.
Always enjoy talking to the kiddies about sub stories, although I don't think I should start with "This is a no Sh!tter."
8/30/2007 7:18 AM
enginerd: What's the story with ASDS? I see the DDS, but no ASDS. Has anyone heard?
ASDS program was canceled, for numerous reasons. The one ASDS that was produced will stay in the fleet. the others are scrap and spare parts for it.
NAVSEA may try and revisit the idea after some head scratching, but only after some major redesign and philosophy shifts.
Rich: word on the street is that the Emory S. Land is relocating there after her yard period.
I'd heard the same rumor. A rumor twice heard = probable fact?
8/30/2007 1:29 PM
As I hear it from one of our O's here who is heading to the Land to be the OPs boss, that is indeed the intention following her shipyard period.
8/30/2007 4:07 PM
Speaking of bars on the pier, does anyone remember to old lady who sold beer in St Croix on the pier, I used to drink beer up there waiting for the time to do steam generator samples...LOL
8/31/2007 12:41 AM
The image has been bent !!!
3/22/2013 5:19 PM
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